Family Support & Case Planning in Tennessee

In this session, the Department of Children's Services General Counsel, Sammi Maifair, will present a virtual CLE session focused on the continuum of family support and case planning in Tennessee’s child welfare system. This training will explore pre-custodial supports such as Family Support Services (FSS) and Immediate Protection Agreements (IPAs), including key policies and practical applications. Participants will gain an understanding of how these tools relate to the department’s responsibility to make reasonable efforts to prevent removal and to reunify families. For children already in custody, the session will cover core concepts of case planning, including establishing appropriate reunification goals, incorporating parental input, and distinguishing between complete and substantial compliance with the plan. The training will also highlight the role of service providers and community-based resources in supporting family progress.

This course is approved for 1.5 general CLE hours.