Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0250 - Children's Services
Here’s an enhanced summary of Tennessee Title 0250 – Children’s Services (part of the Tennessee Compilation of Rules & Regulations) (law.cornell.edu)
🧭 Organization & Structure
0250‑01, 0250‑02, 0250‑03 – Reserved or held for future use (law.cornell.edu)
0250‑04 – Standards for Regulated Institutions (Chapters 0250‑04‑01 to ‑11) (law.cornell.edu)
0250‑05 – Administrative Procedures Division (Chapters 0250‑05‑01 to ‑13) (law.cornell.edu)
0250‑06 – Administrative Services Division (Chapter 0250‑06‑01) (law.cornell.edu)
0250‑07 – Social Services Division (Chapters 0250‑07‑01 to ‑15) (regulations.justia.com)
🔍 Highlights by Subtitle
0250‑04: Standards for Regulated Institutions
Establishes operating standards—especially for residential child‑caring agencies. These include care provision rules, facility licensing, staff qualifications, and legal liabilities.
0250‑05: Administrative Procedures
Covers procedural rules like licensing, definitions, hearings, appeals, and rights of agencies and private providers (publications.tnsosfiles.com).
0250‑06: Administrative Services
Focuses on internal agency operations—like accounting, interagency coordination, and resource management (Chapter 0250‑06‑01).
0250‑07: Social Services Division
This is the most extensive section, spanning crucial areas including:
Permanency planning (Chapter 07‑01): Procedures for establishing and reviewing permanency plans.
Drug screening (Chapter 07‑02): DCS may request drug/alcohol tests based on “reasonable suspicion,” such as observed use, erratic behavior, related arrests, or court order (regulations.justia.com, law.cornell.edu).
Child abuse prevention (Chapter 07‑05): Rules for nonprofits receiving DCS funds—must comply with civil rights and reporting laws, file annual stats, and maintain community‑diverse boards (regulations.justia.com).
Community services agency standards (07‑06), Adoption record access rules (07‑07, 07‑11, 07‑12), Abuse/neglect reporting procedures (07‑09), Adoption forms (07‑13), Relative caregiver support (07‑14), and Foster Parents’ Bill of Rights (07‑15) (law.cornell.edu).
📌 Example Snapshot: Drug Screening (0250‑07‑02‑.02)
Under Chapter 07‑02, DCS staff may require a drug/alcohol screen from a client or caregiver if there’s “reasonable suspicion.” Triggers include observed use, erratic behavior, convictions, tampering suspicion, drug paraphernalia, social media signs, or credible tips. Testing isn't required if alternative screenings are already in place or cases are closing with no substance concerns .
📚 Why It Matters
These regulations lay the legal groundwork for how DCS and affiliated providers operate—from facility licensing, to client welfare (e.g., drug screening), to safeguarding children's rights in adoption and foster care contexts.
➡️ Where to Read Full Text
Official TN SOS website: Comprehensive rules, including updates and submission dates (law.cornell.edu)
Cornell LII / Justia: Easy-to-browse versions current through late 2024/early 2025
✅ Need a Deep Dive?
Interested in any of the following?
Licensing standards under 0250‑04
Appeals/hearing rights in 0250‑05
Adoption/surrender form guidelines in 0250‑07‑13
Detailed foster parent or permissive caregiver rights
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