Tennessee Juvenile Court Pilots Family Preservation Initiative

On March 8, 2021, the Tennessee State Court system announced that the Juvenile Court in Rutherford County was preparing to pilot a family preservation initiative that would provide wraparound services to families at-risk of child removal. Through the pilot, the court seeks to identify and provide supportive and family strengthening services to youths and their families during the pre-petition stage or just after the child welfare or juvenile justice systems file an initial petition to take custody of the child. During the pilot, the Family Preservation Initiative team will accept referrals from schools, local police departments, the state . . .