ICPC State Pages

Compact Administrators

Consultants

Mailing Address

Useful Telephone Numbers

Useful Websites

General Iinformation

Co-Located Compacts - ICPC, ICAMA, ICJ

Adoption

Independent /Private

Independent/Private Adoptive Placements:

Tennessee permits private attorney, private agency and/or independent adoptions

Adoption Statute-Non-Agency; Independent; Private Adoptions:

TCA sec 36-1-108; 37-5-507; 71-3-501-71-3-531

TCA sec. 37-5-507

TCA sec 36-1-108

Public

Public Adoptive Placements-Requirements

-   persons twenty-one (21) years of age or older (relatives eighteen (18) years of age or older may be considered to become a resource parent for a sibling or other blood relative)

-regardless of gender, race, color or national origin. 

-  married or single

-  a legal resident of Tennessee for at least six (6) months

- a United States citizen. ( Applicants may also have Legal Permanent Resident Status that has been approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service)

- -mutual selection process

- based on the applicant’s ability to meet specific approval requirements including interview process, home visits, Parents As Tender Healers training (PATH), home safety requirements,, physical, mental and emotional health requirements, and  fire safety standards including diaster planning, income and financial stability,legal marital status, background and criminal records check including  FBI/TBI fingerprint checks and specific Internet Records check,  references and continuing education;

- ability to partner with and promote the Department’s Standards of Professional Practice.

 TCA sec 36-1-108 (b)

INDEPENDENT / PRIVATE / PUBLIC

The following information applies to independent, private and public adoptions

Adoption Assistance

Adoption assistance payments begins

• After the adoption is finalized

Sending State Adoption Subsidy Payments (Guidelines)

Special Needs

Tennessee definition of "Special Needs"

Special Needs Child: Caucasian child(ren), age nine (9) and above; African American child(ren), age three (3) and above; Child(ren) of mixed race, age three (3) and above; any race/any age sibling group of three or more children or any race/any age child(ren) who has (have) a severe physical, emotional or behavioral handicap(s) which would present a significant challenge to the adoptive placement.

Special Needs: DCS term relating to youth identified as needing continued services for behavioral/mental health issues, or youth diagnosed as being mentally retarded (IQ of 70 or below). See DCS policies 19.7, Transitioning DCS Youth into Adult Behavioral/Mental Health Services and 19.8 Transitioning Youth into the Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS) Adult Services for additional qualifications.

Finalization

Adoption may be finalized in another state:

• Yes

Before finalization can occur in Tennessee, child must be in adoptive placement:

• 6 months

Statutory code/cite for Adoption Petition

TCA sec. 36-1-115

Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases

 Circuit & Chancery Courts  TCA 36-1-101 and 16-10-108

Home Study (Adoptions)

Statutory code/cite for the Adoptive Home Studies:

 TCA sec 36-1-115    Statutory code/cite for adoption pre-petition home study or preliminary home study concerning suitability of home  TCA sec 36-1-116

Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study

• Yes

Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study

• Private Adoptions: Yes
• Independent Adoptions: Yes

Age of Majority

State's age of majority

• person under 18 years of age or 19 years of age for limited purpose as defined in (b) (4) (B) (i-iii) or (G)

Statutory code/cite and the age of majority:

• TCA sec . 37-1-102 (b) (4) (A-G)

Services (after Age of Majority)

As the Receiving State, the following services will be provided/continued at the age of majority:

• Supervision
• Respite

Appeals

Appeals permitted:

• Home Study: Yes
• ICPC Decision: No

Border Agreements

Border Agreements permitted:

• Yes

Current Border Agreements with:

• Georgia
• Virginia

Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry

Home Studies which Require Criminal / Perpetrator Record Checks

Tennessee requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption
• Parent
• Other, specified below

Guardianship pursuant to Fostering Connections and Court-jurisdiction only. Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Criminal Background Screening

The following methods are used to capture fingerprints to conduct criminal records checks/and abuse and neglect.

• Live Scan or other computerized technology
• Finger Print cards

Criminal background checks/screening via Live Scan or other computerized technology are offered at the following levels:

• National
• State
• Local

Background Screening

State or Local Criminal Record Checks Requirements/Process:

State or Local Criminal Record Check results have to be received and within approval limits prior to the child being placed into the home.  Fingerprint results have to be received within 15 days of completion of the local check.

Applicant will not be approved if the person has committed any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses:

Felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, for spousal abuse, for a crime against children (including child pornography), or for a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide.  In any case in which a record check reveals a feony conviction for phyiscal assault, battery, or a drug-related offense was committed within the past 5 years. (See Public Law 105-89, Nov 19, 1997)

An applicant will not be approved if they have have committed any serious crimes or felonies including child abuse/neglect, spousal abuse, crimes against children, and any other aggravated crime  or other crime involving violence in the past 5 years. 

Other misdemeanor crimes or felonies that have occurred outside of the 5 years within approval, can be approved by waiver.  The waiver process includes a primary and secondary approval level.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Tennessee requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Wait Time for Criminal Records Results

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 4-7 days
• Local/County: 4-7 days

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background

Custody Matters - NON ICPC

(NOTE: These are private or domestic custody matters brought before the court for determination/decision)

Non-ICPC Requests - (i.e. private/domestic custody cases)

ICPC Office will not investigate a domestic or private custody matter.

• Parent vs. Parent: No
• Third Parties: No

ICPC Offices will assist with referral:

• Yes
  Refer Cases To:

  Divorce or Custody Studies are to be conducted by private providers for a fee.  Private providers listed on TN DCS Internet http://www.state.tn.us/youth/ Requests received in the TN ICPC State Office will be forwarded to the TN party who will be advised to contact a private agency and will be advised of their responsibility for any fees.

Custody Investigation

Divorce or Custody Studies are to be conducted by private providers for a fee.  Private providers listed on TN DCS Internet http://www.state.tn.us/youth/ Requests received in the TN ICPC State Office will be forwarded to the TN party who will be advised to contact a private agency and will be advised of their responsibility for any fees.

Definitions

Tennessee Specific Definitions

If the following terms are defined differently than below (General Definitions), please provide definitions for the following types of placements as defined within your state. If definitions in your state are the same, please type the word same in the space provided. (only 250 characters per answer will be accepted).

Adoption-Adoption: The social and legal process of establishing by Court order, other than by paternity or legitimization proceedings or by voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, the legal relationship of parent and child. TCA 36-1-102 (4)

Foster-Adopt-Same

Foster Care-Foster Care: Temporary placement of a child in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services for care outside the home of child’s parents or guardian. Foster care ceases when the child is placed with individual(s) for purposes of adoption, or when petition to adopt is filed, or when the child is returned to or placed in care of the parents or relative. TCA 37-2-402(5)    

Parent-Parents: The biological parents or legal guardians, except in cases when guardianship is held by an agency pursuant to a determination of abandonment or surrender of parental rights. TCA 37-2-402 (8) 

Relative-Relative:  In Tennessee utilized as relative/kin.  This relationship is one that is either identified as direct blood/marital relative or relationship to the child/family prior to the custodial episode. 

Relative Foster Care-Same

Public Education Costs

Tennessee charges for public education:

• No

Tennessee charges the sending state for specialized services (occupational, speech therapy)

• Yes

Tennessee charges the Sending State to obtain assessments/diagnostics and/or services for education purposes:

• Yes

Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments

FINANCIAL PLANS

Tennessee permits a child in the legal custody of a Sending State to apply for and receive the following state administered assistance/benefits in Tennessee as the Receiving State.

• Medicaid
• TANF Child Only
• TANF–Family

As the Sending state, following are considered as a viable financial/medical plan when making interstate placements:

• Applying for TANF - (Family Income Based)
• Applying for TANF - Child Only
• Title IV-E Foster Care
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
• Sending State Adoption Assistance
• Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
• Kin-Guardianship - State
• Medicaid
• Sending State’s Coverage for Medical Assistance

As the Receiving state, following are considered a viable financial/medical plan when receiving interstate placements:

• Applying for TANF - (Family Income Based)
• Applying for TANF - Child Only
• Title IV-E Foster Care
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
• Sending State Adoption Assistance
• Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
• Kin-Guardianship - State
• Medicaid
• Sending State’s Coverage for Medical Assistance

MEDICAID / MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

The state will ensure medical coverage benefits and services can be received through benefits, programs and providers in the Receiving State before placing a child across state lines.

• Yes

Medicaid

The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).

• Yes

WAITING PERIOD FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS

Waiting period to apply for benefit assistance:

• No waiting period

Waiting period to receive benefits for a child who is under the legal custody/legal jurisdiction of the sending state:

• 30 days

STATE MEDICAL INSURANCE/COVERAGE

As the Sending State, Tennessee will provide medical coverage if the child is NOT IV-E eligible

• Yes:

As the Sending State, Tennessee will permit Placement Resources to apply for medical benefits in the Receiving State or use their personal insurance.

• Yes

PAYMENTS MADE

TANF Payments

Adoption assistance payments begin:

• After the adoption is finalized.

Foster Care Payments

Special Education Payments

• No

Daycare Payments

• No

Kinship Program

TITLE IV-E

Medicaid - The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).

• Yes

Title IV-E documentation/verification required

• Yes:

Foster Care

RATES (Foster Care)

Foster care rate paid at:

• Sending State’s rate
• Receiving State’s rate
• Negotiable

Tennessee foster care rates:

Service Level of Care	Amount per day
Regular Board Rates
Special Circumstance Board Rates
Extraordinary Board Rates

REQUIREMENTS (Foster Care)

Foster Care Resource Requirements:

18 years of age, completion of PATH training, background check requirements, and able to financially care for the household.

Training (Education and Training)

• Completion of our 20 hours of PATH training and 8 hours of training related to Med Admin and First Aid/CPR. Additional 15 hours of training to be completed annually. post-approval.

Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)

Types of Home Studies

Tennessee conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption
• Other

TN DCS policy under the ICPC provides for / conducts parent studies, relative/kinship studies, relative-foster studies , foster studies, foster-adopt studies and Adoption studies as well as Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Tennessee designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.

• Yes

Tennessee considers a home study as current/valid for:

• 2 years

Private Contract Services - Home Study

As the Sending State, Tennessee will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study

• Yes

As the Receiving State, Tennessee will permit a Sending state to pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study.

• Yes

As the Receiving State, Tennessee will accept/update a home study that was not originally conducted by the receiving state or a private contractor acting on behalf of the Receiving State.

• Will update

Adoptive Home Studies

Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• No

Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study

• Private Adoptions: Yes
• Independent Adoptions: Yes

DCPS contracts for Purchase of Services with private agencies in other states:

• Yes

Foster Care Home Study

Home study for foster care conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Yes

Parent Home Study

If child has been removed from the parent, Tennessee requires a home study evaluation before reunification.

• Interstate Placements only--either court jurisdiction only or children in the custody of the public child-welfare agency.   

Non-Custodial Parents

Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Paternity Results.

Relative/Kinship Home Study

Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• No

Define Relative

Relative:  In Tennessee utilized as relative/kin.  This relationship is one that is either identified as direct blood/marital relative or relationship to the child/family prior to the custodial episode. Relatives are required to become approved foster parents within 120 days of placement. 

Relatives must be licensed:

• No

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Paternity Results.

Tennessee considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)

• 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
• 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
• 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
• 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
• Godmother, Godfather
• Other

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

Tennessee performs priority placements:

• Yes

A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• Other: 75 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• Other: 75 days

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Private

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 30 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• 30 days

Tennessee determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States
• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.

"Date of receipt" is the date that the completed study has been received in the TN ICPC office.  

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

	Regular Mail	Express Mail	Overnight Mail	Electronic Mail
Send request for a home study to Receiving State	y	y	y	y
Send home study request to Local office	y	y	y	y
Send home study report to Sending State	y	y	y	y

Criminal Record Checks

Tennessee requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption
• Parent
• Other, specified below

Guardianship pursuant to Fostering Connections and Court-jurisdiction only. Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Tennessee requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

	Federal	State	Local	ANR	NR
Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Relative	y	y	y	y
Relative Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Adoption	y	y	y	y
Foster-Adopt	y	y	y	y
Parent		y	y	y

Wait Time for Criminal Records Results

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 4-7 days
• Local/County: 4-7 days

ICPC Processing And Data Collection

Tennessee conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption
• Other

TN DCS policy under the ICPC provides for / conducts parent studies, relative/kinship studies, relative-foster studies , foster studies, foster-adopt studies and Adoption studies as well as Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

ICPC Placement Checklists

	Adoption	Foster	Foster-Adopt	Parent	Relative	Residential	Electronic Transmission Accepted *
ICPC 100A (Placement Request)

Date of Receipt - Home Study

Tennessee determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States
• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.

"Date of receipt" is the date that the completed study has been received in the TN ICPC office.  

Tennessee designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.

• Yes

Private Contract Services - Home Study

As the Sending State, Tennessee will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study

• Yes

Criminal Records Checks

Tennessee requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption
• Parent
• Other, specified below

Guardianship pursuant to Fostering Connections and Court-jurisdiction only. Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Tennessee requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

	Federal	State	Local	ANR	NR
Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Relative	y	y	y	y
Relative Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Adoption	y	y	y	y
Foster-Adopt	y	y	y	y
Parent		y	y	y

Mailing Process - Interstate Home Study

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

	Regular Mail	Express Mail	Overnight Mail	Electronic Mail
Send request for a home study to Receiving State	y	y	y	y
Send home study request to Local office	y	y	y	y
Send home study report to Sending State	y	y	y	y

Wait/Processing Times

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• Other: 75 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• Other: 75 days

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 4-7 days
• Local/County: 4-7 days

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 years

Tennessee offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• Once a month

Wait Time for ICPC Decision

Foster Care	Relative	Relative - Foster Care	Parent	Foster - Adopt	Adoption (Public)	Adoption (Private)	Adoption (Independent)
1- 30 days	1- 30 days	1- 30 days	1- 30 days	1- 30 days	1- 30 days	1- 30 days	1- 30 days

Data Collection

Tennessee collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:

• Manually (By hand)

Tennessee collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via

• Manually (By hand)

Licensing/Certification/Approval

Licensing

Dual Licensing state:

• Yes

Tennessee uses the following terms to authorize a resource family for foster care and (or) adoption after completion of education and training in state:

• Approve (Adoption)
• Verified (Foster Home)
• Certified

Tennessee requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Adoption
• Foster/Adopt

Tennessee resource training program is as follows:

• PRIDE (Parents Resource Information Development Education)

Tennessee will give full or partial credit for foster care and adoption education and training completed in another state:

• Adoption
  OtherFull and Partial Credit. Dependent upon review of pertinent elements of the educational and training program completed by the resource.
• Foster Care
  OtherFull and Partial Credit. Dependent upon review of pertinent elements of the educational and training program completed by the resource.

Title IV-E documentation/verification required

• Yes:

Requirements (Licensing)

Licensing Requirements

•  persons twenty-one (21) years of age or older (relatives eighteen (18) years of age or older may be considered to become a resource parent for a sibling or other blood relative)

  -regardless of gender, race, color or national origin. 

  -  married or single

  -  a legal resident of Tennessee for at least six (6) months

  - a United States citizen. ( Applicants may also have Legal Permanent Resident Status that has been approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service)

  - -mutual selection process

  - based on the applicant’s ability to meet specific approval requirements including interview process, home visits, Parents As Tender Healers training (PATH), home safety requirements,, physical, mental and emotional health requirements, and  fire safety standards including diaster planning, income and financial stability,legal marital status, background and criminal records check including  FBI/TBI fingerprint checks and specific Internet Records check,  references and continuing education;

  - ability to partner with and promote the Department’s Standards of Professional Practice.

   TCA sec 36-1-108 (b)

Foster Care Placements

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 years

Tennessee offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• Once a month

Parent Studies

Tennessee conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption
• Other

TN DCS policy under the ICPC provides for / conducts parent studies, relative/kinship studies, relative-foster studies , foster studies, foster-adopt studies and Adoption studies as well as Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Custodial Parent Evaluated Per Reunification

If child has been removed from the parent, Tennessee requires a home study evaluation before reunification.

• Interstate Placements only--either court jurisdiction only or children in the custody of the public child-welfare agency.   

Non-Custodial Parents

Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Paternity Results.

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

Tennessee performs priority placements:

• Yes

A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• Other: 75 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• Other: 75 days

Tennessee determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States
• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.

"Date of receipt" is the date that the completed study has been received in the TN ICPC office.  

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

	Regular Mail	Express Mail	Overnight Mail	Electronic Mail
Send request for a home study to Receiving State	y	y	y	y
Send home study request to Local office	y	y	y	y
Send home study report to Sending State	y	y	y	y

Criminal Records Checks

Tennessee requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption
• Parent
• Other, specified below

Guardianship pursuant to Fostering Connections and Court-jurisdiction only. Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Tennessee requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

	Federal	State	Local	ANR	NR
Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Relative	y	y	y	y
Relative Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Adoption	y	y	y	y
Foster-Adopt	y	y	y	y
Parent		y	y	y

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 4-7 days
• Local/County: 4-7 days

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• Other: 75 days

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Tennessee requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

	Federal	State	Local	ANR	NR
Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Relative	y	y	y	y
Relative Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Adoption	y	y	y	y
Foster-Adopt	y	y	y	y
Parent		y	y	y

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 years

Tennessee offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• Once a month

Relative Placements

Tennessee conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption
• Other

TN DCS policy under the ICPC provides for / conducts parent studies, relative/kinship studies, relative-foster studies , foster studies, foster-adopt studies and Adoption studies as well as Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Relative Home Study

Define Relative

Relative:  In Tennessee utilized as relative/kin.  This relationship is one that is either identified as direct blood/marital relative or relationship to the child/family prior to the custodial episode. Relatives are required to become approved foster parents within 120 days of placement. 

Relatives must be licensed:

• No

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Paternity Results.

Tennessee considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)

• 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
• 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
• 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
• 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
• Godmother, Godfather
• Other

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

Tennessee performs priority placements:

• Yes

A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• Other: 75 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• Other: 75 days

Tennessee determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States
• Date stamped in the ICPC Office.

"Date of receipt" is the date that the completed study has been received in the TN ICPC office.  

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

	Regular Mail	Express Mail	Overnight Mail	Electronic Mail
Send request for a home study to Receiving State	y	y	y	y
Send home study request to Local office	y	y	y	y
Send home study report to Sending State	y	y	y	y

Criminal Records Checks

Tennessee requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption
• Parent
• Other, specified below

Guardianship pursuant to Fostering Connections and Court-jurisdiction only. Parent and Relative Regulation #7 studies in addition to those “expedited” studies” defined under specific Border agreements.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Tennessee requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

	Federal	State	Local	ANR	NR
Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Relative	y	y	y	y
Relative Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Adoption	y	y	y	y
Foster-Adopt	y	y	y	y
Parent		y	y	y

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 4-7 days
• Local/County: 4-7 days

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• Other: 75 days

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Tennessee requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

	Federal	State	Local	ANR	NR
Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Relative	y	y	y	y
Relative Foster Care	y	y	y	y
Adoption	y	y	y	y
Foster-Adopt	y	y	y	y
Parent		y	y	y

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 years

Tennessee offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• Once a month

Residential Treatment Centers/Facilities

Before Tennessee will approve a child for an interstate placement with an RTF, Certification/verification of acceptance is required from the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF).

• Yes

Residential Placements

Residential Treatment: placement  for the planned and medically necessary treatment in a residential facility licensed to provide programs for the  treatment of a minor's chronic  emotional, behavioral or mental health issues. The facility must establish a treatment plan and goals. The program of treatment is defined as  24-hour care away from the child's parental home.  

Supervisory Reports

Tennessee Requires face-to-face supervision:

• Other : 24 hour supervision of the child placed is a requirement of RTC facility staff as part of arrangement of services. Public Agency staff not assigned to provide supervision

Tennessee will provide supervision of an interstate placement:

• Other : 24 hour supervision of the child placed is a requirement of the RTC facility staff as part of the arrangement of services. The RTC facility is required to provide supervision of an interstate placement for the duration of the placement in their facility up through completion of service program ( including a discharge summary) and return of the child to the jurisdiction of the Sending State.

Tennessee Submits a supervisory report to the Sending State

• Quarterly

Tennessee will send a supervision report to:

• The ICPC in the Sending State

Supervision Guidelines

Please see Regulation 11 for supervision requirements under the ICPC (Link provided below):

• Best Practice Guidelines for Supervision via the ICPC

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• No

Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• No

After TPR, relatives are no longer relatives and a foster care or adoptive home study must be requested.

• Yes

Relative Home Study

Define Relative

Relative:  In Tennessee utilized as relative/kin.  This relationship is one that is either identified as direct blood/marital relative or relationship to the child/family prior to the custodial episode. Relatives are required to become approved foster parents within 120 days of placement. 

Relatives must be licensed:

• No

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : Paternity Results.

Tennessee considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)

• 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
• 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
• 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
• 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
• Godmother, Godfather
• Other