1. (1) UNDERSTANDING THE PARENTS:

   1. (a) Children’s feelings for their own family must be respected regardless of their heritage or the unsuitability of the surroundings in which they may have lived.
   2. (b) Staff must try to strengthen the child’s ties with his/her family when appropriate, recognizing that it is very difficult for the child to be away from his/her parents and for parents to be separated from their child.
   3. (c) Discussion and planning sessions must include children, parents, and other appropriate parties when it is feasible

2. (2) THE ROLE OF THE PARENT IN PREPARATION:

   1. (a) When placement plans are being made for a child’s arrangements must, when possible, be worked out so the child is brought to the child-care facility once or twice to become acquainted before he/she is left for the first time. (Refer to 0250-4-2-.11 Emergency Shelter Care for Exception.)
   2. (b) A legal transfer of custody can only be made through court action after proper investigation by a designated agency.

Authority: T.C.A. §§4-5-226(b)(2); 37-5-101; 37-5-105; 37-5-106; 37-5-112(a); 71-1-105(12) and 71-3-501 et seq. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed July 27, 1978; effective September 11, 1978. Repeal and new rule filed January 20, 1984; effective February 19,1984. AND FAMILY BOARDING HOMES Amendment filed November 2, 1984; effective February 12,1985. Repeal and new rule filed February 26, 1991; effective April 12, 1991. Rule assigned new control number, removed and renumbered from 1240-4-2-.08 filed and effective March 25, 1999.