Dependency/Neglect Cases
This section refers to D&N cases filed by DCS. If the D&N petition was filed by someone other than DCS, please refer to the Private Party section of the training manual.
(AOC D&N Proceedings Power Point)
Adding a Person to Quest
In Quest, everyone is considered a person, including delinquent/unruly children and their parents. Additionally, there are Agency people in Quest, such as professionals like attorneys, DCS workers, court staff, law enforcement officers, etc. Individuals are added to cases according to their role in that case, but first, everyone must be added as a person.
New DCS D&N Petition
When a new Petition is received from DCS alleging the child(ren) have been neglected/abused, the children, and the parents, custodians must be added to the system and a new case is created. One petition may contain multiple children and all children would be on one case with one docket number.
(View instructions) (New Petition Quick Reference Guide)
Some counties require DCS to file this questionnaire with all new petitions.
DCS D&N Description of Hearings
The hearings and timelines for these types of D&N cases are defined by statute.
(View Description of Hearings)
(View Required Hearings Roadmap for children in Foster Care)
Preparing for DCS Hearings
Before the day of the hearing, the court docket may need to be reviewed for accuracy.
(Preparing for Hearings Quick Reference Guide)
Updating the Case following hearings
After a hearing is held, the case may need to be updated. If an Attorney/GAL was appointed, if the petition was adjudicated or dismissed, if the placement of a child changed, or if any permanency goals were ratified the case should be updated to reflect this.
(Return from Court Cheat Sheet)
(Updating the Case Instructions)
Elis Law
TCA 37-1-188(b)
Notwithstanding this part to the contrary, there is a presumption that any child that is born to a parent, from whose custody a child has previously been removed for being dependent or neglected and the child who was previously removed is in the custody of the department of children’s services, may be dependent or neglected and that it is in the best interest of both children that the child’s birth be brought to the court’s attention.
(Under Construction)
Foster Care Review Board
Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) is a board of citizen volunteers appointed by the juvenile court judge that meet to review the permanency plans of children in foster care.
DCS Attorneys using Quest
The AOC will pay for licensing for the DCS Attorneys to use Quest to prepare motions and proposed orders.
(DCS Attorney Quick Reference Guides)
Safe Baby Court
In 2017, Tennessee passed legislation to create the “Zero To Three Court Initiative” to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers and families involved in the child welfare system.
Tennessee is using ZERO TO THREE’s Safe Babies Court Team™ (SBCT) approach as the basis for the initiative, building off the success of two SBCT sites already operating in Nashville and Grundy County. SBCT is a community engagement and systems-change approach focused on improving how the courts, child welfare agencies, and related child-serving organizations work together, share information, and expedite services for young children in the child welfare system. The approach has been shown to decrease the amount of time children spend in foster care by up to a year, decrease the recurrence of maltreatment, and successfully connect children and families to needed services. Five of the new courts have already begun developing strategic plans for implementation. The remaining five are expected to start in early 2019. Tennessee is using Title IV-E funding to support the expansion.