ÿWPC{% …# VUNa %¯ 0 Nµ 0Í bÐ wØ 4î  0D 0JU 0TŸ 0^ó 0hQ 0r¹ 0|+ 0†§ 0- 1u½ U,2 0d^ ÂU,ÊU>öB)4DC] AM  BíU* A4u' D3+'^j… 0@ïV/v~…vÓ AOÖ#Æ%$ 0Dë$ D//% B^%˜HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpiPSCRIPTÀÌÀääÀÀÌ0 (í€"  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular¼(&öy$¡¡Ó  ÓÙñÓ Ù(}(2r’$¤¤Ý ƒöy!ÝÓ  ÓÙñÓ ÙÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X$ôX¼¼Ôà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó- ù-Ó€  Gav ¢T$<3|x (#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)< Œ 9p`(ModernP ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓ#< Œ 9p`(Monaco< Œ 9p`(&Times New Roman% Line 7 d""""7Border 1dd€-#Cþÿ << Gÿÿ d< Œ 9p`(Arial 7Ý ƒ!ÝÑ  ÑÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ€&ÔÔ€&ÔÓ  Óò òÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€&XÔÌÌMay€17,€1996ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔ  Ôó ó …Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝòòNash„Putnam€v.€McCloud,óó€App.€No.€01„S„01„9504„CV„00047,€slip€op.€at€13€(Tenn.ÏApril€22,€1996)€(Opinion€designated€ð ðFor€Publicationðð).Ì Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝòòSee€alsoóó€Tenn.€R.€Juv.€P.€39(f)(1).Ì%%%%'ÿÿdxd Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝòòSee€alsoóó€Tenn.€R.€Juv.€P.€39(f)(2).Ì `Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€termination€statutes€applicable€to€this€case€are€the€ones€that€were€in€existence€priorÏto€the€1995€enactment€of€the€comprehensive€amendments€to€the€statutes€governing€theÏtermination€of€parental€rights.€€òòSeeóó€Act€of€May€26,€1995,€ch.€532,€1995€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€___.€ÏThese€provisions€became€effective€on€January€1,€1996,€after€the€proceedings€in€this€case.Ì("ÿÿ$££Ò  ÒÒ  Ò LÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ$ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€!XÔà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝLike€C.A.T.,€Sr.,€many€of€the€parents€seeking€appellate€review€of€decisions€inÏtermination€of€parental€rights€cases€lack€the€financial€resources€to€pay€for€a€verbatim€transcriptÏof€the€juvenile€court€proceedings.€€Likewise,€a€statement€of€the€evidence€is€rarely€provided€inÏcases€of€this€sort.€€The€absence€of€some€evidentiary€record€hampers€our€ability€to€determineÏwhether€the€record€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€support€the€juvenile€courtððsÏdecision.€€We€need€not€decide€whether€the€absence€of€a€transcript,€statement€of€the€evidence,€orÏother€record€of€the€juvenile€court€proceeding€is€of€constitutional€significance€because€C.A.T.,ÏSr.€has€not€raised€this€as€an€issue€on€this€appeal.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Ogleóó,€617€S.W.2d€652,€653Ï(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1980)€(this€court€ordered€the€State€to€provide€a€transcript€to€an€indigentÏparent).ÌPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHÚ(d'@Styl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑMonacoÑÑ ÑÒ  BA Op Monaco ÒÒ  BA Op Monaco Ò€-‚ƒCþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó„„'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€ÔÓ&€  X„d&ÓÑ#€  Xd#ÑÔ€!ÔÔ€!¼ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÑ Ü ÑÑ\R AØ'\ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ÑÑ7€Þ¢¼¼ddÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñà@ àÔ€!„Ôò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌà@ àMIDDLE€SECTION€AT€NASHVILLEÌÔ€!¼Ôó óÌÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à àDavidson€Juvenile€Nos.€ÌIN€THE€MATTER€OF:à àà àà à)à à09„45„58€and€09„45„73ÌC.A.T.,€JR.€AND€K.P.T.à àà àà à)ÌÙ€€ÙßL€$'#;+'h|æä` ç `€€Lß(Children€under€the€age€of€18€years)à à)à àAppeal€No.Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)à à01„A„01„9510„JV„00474Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)Ìà àà àà àà àà àà à)ÌÌÌÌà@ àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€JUVENILE€COURT€FOR€DAVIDSONÏCOUNTYÌà@ àAT€NASHVILLE,€TENNESSEEÌÌà@ àTHE€HONORABLE€ANDREW€J.€SHOOKHOFF,€JUDGEÌÌÌÌòòFor€the€Plaintiff/Appelleeóó:à àà àà àà àòòFor€theÏDefendant/Appellantóó:ÌÌCharles€W.€Bursonà àà àà àà àà àJ.€Michael€O'NeilÌAttorney€General€and€Reporterà àà àà àà àCharles€A.€Taylor,€Sr.Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àNashville,€TennesseeÌMichelle€K.€HohnkeÌAssistant€Attorney€GeneralÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@ àÔ€!„Ôò òAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDó óÌÔ€!¼ÔÌÌÌÌÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,ÏJUDGEÇÓ€ÓÔ€!„Ôà@ àò òòòO€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÌÔ€!¼ÔÌà àThis€appeal€involves€the€termination€of€a€fatherððs€parental€rightsÏregarding€two€children€who€were€brought€to€Tennessee€by€their€mother€whileÏtheir€father€remained€in€California.€€The€Davidson€County€Juvenile€CourtÏremoved€the€children€from€their€motherððs€custody€in€response€to€anÏemergency€petition€filed€by€the€Department€of€Human€Services.€ÏApproximately€one€year€later,€the€juvenile€court€terminated€the€fatherððsÏparental€rights€because€he€had€not€satisfactorily€remedied€the€continuing€threatÏof€harm€to€the€children€and€because€he€had€not€complied€with€the€conditionsÏof€the€childrenððs€foster€care€plan.€€The€father€takes€issue€on€this€appeal€withÏthe€evidentiary€foundation€of€the€juvenile€courtððs€decision€and€also€asserts€thatÏthe€juvenile€court€infringed€on€his€due€process€rights€by€requiring€him€toÏdemonstrate€that€he€was€a€fit€parent.€€We€have€determined€that€the€juvenileÏcourt€applied€the€proper€evidentiary€standard€and€that€the€evidence€supportsÏthe€juvenile€courtððs€decision.€€Accordingly,€we€affirm€the€judgment.ÌÌà@ àò òI.ó óÌÌà àC.A.T.,€Sr.€and€his€wife,€E.G.T.,€lived€in€California€with€their€twoÏsons.€€C.A.T.,€Jr.€was€born€in€1986€with€Downs€Syndrome,€and€K.P.T.€wasÏborn€in€1989.€€In€1990,€C.A.T.,€Sr.€introduced€E.G.T.€to€methamphetamines,Ïand€the€couple€soon€became€drug€abusers.€€C.A.T.,€Sr.€lost€the€welding€job€heÏhad€held€for€nine€years,€and€E.G.T.€began€to€disappear€for€several€days€at€aÏtime€without€telling€her€family€where€she€was€going.€€C.A.T.,€Sr.€and€E.G.T.Ïseparated€toward€the€end€of€1993,€and€E.G.T.€kept€custody€of€the€children.ÌÌà àC.A.T.,€Sr.€had€few€dealings€with€his€wife€and€children€after€theÏseparation.€€He€lived€with€a€nephew€and€then€in€a€trailer€on€a€friendððsÏproperty.€€Instead€of€seeking€work,€he€supported€himself€by€holding€yard€salesÏand€other€similar€activities.€€C.A.T.,€Sr.€never€came€forward€to€takeÏresponsibility€for€his€children€during€their€motherððs€many€unexplainedÏabsences.ÌÌà àE.G.T.€moved€to€Nashville€in€December€1993€with€T.P.,€one€of€theÏpersons€who€had€been€supplying€her€and€C.A.T.,€Sr.€with€drugs.€€She€did€notÏtell€anyone€where€she€was€going,€and€she€left€the€children€with€one€of€herÏmotherððs€friends.€€The€friend€alerted€the€California€authorities€to€E.G.T.ððsÏdisappearance,€and€in€January€1994€the€authorities€placed€the€children€withÏtheir€maternal€aunt.€€E.G.T.€returned€to€California€to€retrieve€her€children€inÏFebruary€1994,€and€one€month€later€she€and€the€children€moved€back€toÏTennessee.€€C.A.T.,€Sr.€was€apparently€aware€of€his€wifeððs€actions€but€did€notÏintercede€to€prevent€her€from€taking€the€children€to€live€with€T.P.€inÏNashville.€€The€California€authorities€suspended€their€investigation€of€C.A.T.,ÏSr.€and€E.G.T.€after€learning€that€the€children€were€no€longer€in€California.ÌÌà àThe€Tennessee€Department€of€Human€Services€received€word€in€lateÏMay€1994€that€C.A.T.,€Jr.€and€K.P.T.€were€unsupervised€and€that€their€homeÏenvironment€was€unsafe.€€A€later€inspection€of€the€home€uncovered€loadedÏguns,€large€knives,€and€drug€paraphernalia€within€easy€reach€of€the€children.€ÏK.P.T.€told€the€case€worker€that€T.P.€abused€both€of€them,€but€the€caseÏworker€could€not€question€C.A.T.,€Jr.€because€he€was€completely€out€ofÍcontrol.€€The€department€also€discovered€that€neither€child€was€enrolled€inÏschool.€€On€June€1,€1994,€the€Davidson€County€Juvenile€Court€temporarilyÏplaced€the€children€in€the€departmentððs€custody.€€E.G.T.€did€not€identifyÏC.A.T.,€Sr.€as€the€childrenððs€father€during€this€proceeding€and€did€not€informÏthe€juvenile€court€that€he€might€be€available€as€a€possible€custodian€for€theÏchildren.ÌÌà àE.G.T.€returned€to€California€soon€after€the€department€took€custody€ofÏthe€children.€€She€and€C.A.T.,€Sr.€talked€with€the€children€by€telephone€inÏAugust€1994.€€This€telephone€call€was€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€first€contact€with€hisÏchildren€since€the€separation€in€1993.€€E.G.T.€eventually€returned€to€NashvilleÏand€told€the€department€that€C.A.T.,€Sr.€was€the€childrenððs€father.€€TheÏdepartment€contacted€C.A.T.,€Sr.€and€eventually€worked€out€a€foster€care€planÏwith€him€over€the€telephone.€€The€goal€of€the€plan€was€to€reunite€C.A.T.,€Sr.Ïwith€his€children.€€The€juvenile€court€approved€the€plan€on€November€18,Ï1994,€nearly€one€year€after€C.A.T.,€Sr.€left€his€wife€and€children.ÌÌà àThe€foster€care€plan€required€C.A.T.,€Sr.€to€(1)€submit€to€random€drugÏtesting,€(2)€obtain€a€full„time€job,€(3)€make€arrangements€for€stable€housing,Ï(4)€pay€$25.00€per€week€in€child€support,€(5)€attend€parenting€classes,€(6)Ïparticipate€in€a€Downs€Syndrome€support€group,€(7)€write€weekly€letters€toÏhis€children,€and€(8)€find€an€after„school€program€for€his€children€once€theyÏwere€returned€to€his€care.€€C.A.T.,€Sr.€made€no€efforts€to€comply€with€theÏplan€until€the€department€filed€a€petition€to€terminate€his€parental€rights€onÏMarch€10,€1995.ÌÌà àC.A.T.,€Sr.€moved€to€Tennessee€in€April€1995€and€found€employmentÏas€a€temporary€worker.€€He€rented€a€one„bedroom€apartment€on€the€eve€of€theÏhearing€on€the€termination€petition€but€took€no€steps€to€satisfy€any€of€theÏfoster€care€planððs€other€requirements.€€He€did€not€attempt€to€interact€with€hisÏchildren€except€for€writing€them€one€letter;€he€refused€to€submit€to€drugÏscreening;€he€declined€to€pay€child€support;€he€did€not€attend€parenting€classesÏor€a€Downs€Syndrome€support€group;€and€he€did€not€make€arrangements€forÏhis€childrenððs€after„school€care.€€The€juvenile€court€conducted€a€hearing€onÏJune€29,€1995€and€filed€an€order€on€July€6,€1995€terminating€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððsÏparental€rights€with€regard€to€his€two€sons.€€ÌÌà@ àò òII.ó óÌÌà àParents€have€a€fundamental€right€to€the€custody€and€companionship€ofÏtheir€children.€€òòNash„Putnam€v.€McCloud,óó___€S.W.2d€___,€___€(Tenn.Ï1996);× ƒ( ××  ×€òòIn€re€Adoption€of€Female€Child€(Bond€v.€McKenzie)óó,€896€S.W.2dÏ546,€547€(Tenn.€1995);€òòNale€v.€Robertsonóó,€871€S.W.2d€674,€678€(Tenn.Ï1994).€€Accordingly,€Tenn.€Const.€art.€I,€ðð€8€and€U.S.€Const.€amend.€XIVÏafford€parents€faced€with€the€possibility€of€losing€their€children€withÏimportant€due€process€rights.€€Specifically,€these€parents€are€entitled€to€aÏhearing€on€adequate€notice,€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405€U.S.€645,€649,€92€S.€Ct.Ï1208,€1211€(1972)× ƒ) ××  ×,€and€legal€representation€when€the€circumstances€requireÏit.€€òòLassiter€v.€Department€of€Social€Servs.óó,€452€U.S.€18,€31„32,€101€S.€Ct.Í2153,€2162€(1981);€òòState€ex€rel.€T.H.€v.€Minóó,€802€S.W.2d€625,€626€(Tenn.€Ct.ÏApp.€1990).× ƒ+ ××  ×€ÌÌà àThe€stateððs€interest€in€protecting€children€must€be€tempered€by€aÏparent's€constitutionally€protected€privacy€interests€in€raising€his€or€herÏchildren€free€from€unwarranted€governmental€interference.€€Thus,€a€parent'sÏrights€may€be€terminated€only€when€the€continuation€of€the€relationshipÏbetween€the€parent€and€the€child€poses€a€substantial€threat€of€harm€to€the€child.€ÏòòPetrosky€v.€Keene,óó€898€S.W.2d€726,€728€(Tenn.€1995);€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messier,óóÏ905€S.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€In€order€to€warrant€terminationÏof€their€rights,€a€parent's€conduct€must€be€of€the€sort€proscribed€by€Tenn.ÏCode€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147€(1991),× ƒ, ××  ×€€òòTennessee€Dep't€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Rileyóó,Ï689€S.W.2d€164,€165€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984),€or€must€constitute€a€failure€toÏcomply€substantially€with€their€obligations€under€an€approved€foster€care€plan.€ÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„2„403(a)(2)(1991);€òòState€v.€Himes,óó€App.€No.€88„54„II,Ïslip€op.€at€8„9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€22,€1988),€òòperm.€app.€deniedóó€(Tenn.€Oct.Ï17,€1988).ÌÌà àBecause€of€the€importance€of€the€interests€at€stake€in€a€terminationÏproceeding,€due€process€also€requires€the€state€to€support€its€petition€by€clearÏand€convincing€evidence.€€òòSantosky€v.€Kramer,óó€455€U.S.€745,€747„48,€102€S.ÏCt.€1388,€1391„92€(1982);€òòState€v.€Smith,óó€785€S.W.2d€336,€339€(Tenn.€1990).€€ÍThis€heightened€standard€instructs€the€fact„finder€concerning€the€degree€ofÏconfidence€that€it€must€have€in€its€conclusions€and€requires€that€there€be€noÏserious€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusions€to€be€drawn€fromÏthe€evidence.€€òòOððDaniel€v.€Messier,óó€905€S.W.2d€at€187„88.ÌÌà àAppellate€courts€review€lower€court€decisions€in€termination€cases€usingÏthe€standard€of€review€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€òòTennessee€Dep't€of€HumanÏServs.€v.€Riley,óó€689€S.W.2d€at€170.€€Thus,€in€the€absence€of€a€transcript€of€theÏproceedings€or€a€statement€of€the€evidence,€we€must€presume€that€theÏadmissible€facts€support€the€juvenile€courtððs€decision.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Harris,óóÏApp.€No.€01„A„01„9203„CV„00109,€slip€op.€at€5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€7,Ï1992),€òòperm.€app.€deniedóó€€(Tenn.€Dec.€21,€1992);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòCooper€v.€Rosson,Ïóó509€S.W.2d€836,€837€(Tenn.€1974)€(evidence€conclusively€presumed€toÏsupport€the€judgment€in€the€absence€of€a€transcript);€òòIrvin€v.€City€ofÏClarksville,óó€767€S.W.2d€649,€653€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(an€appellate€courtÏpresumes€that€sufficient€evidence€existed€to€support€the€judgment€in€theÏabsence€of€a€transcript).× ƒ. ××  ×€€Thus,€in€the€absence€of€a€transcript€or€a€statementÏof€the€evidence€we€must€presume€that€the€proof€provided€clear€and€convincingÏevidence€to€substantiate€the€juvenile€courtððs€decision.€ÌÌà@ àò òIII.ÌÌó óà àThe€juvenile€court€relied€upon€both€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147€andÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„2„403(a)(2)€(1991)€to€terminate€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€parentalÏrights.€€Accordingly,€we€will€take€up€each€statutory€ground€in€turn.ÌÌà@ àò òA.€ó óÌÌà àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(1)€permits€the€termination€of€parentalÏrights€if€the€child€has€been€removed€from€a€parent's€care€for€over€one€yearÏand€(A)€if€the€conditions€leading€to€the€childððs€removal€continue€to€pose€aÏsubstantial€risk€of€further€harm€or€neglect,€(B)€if€little€likelihood€exists€thatÏthese€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€parent€and€theÏchild€can€be€reunited€in€the€near€future,€and€(C)€if€the€continuation€of€theÏrelationship€between€the€parent€and€the€child€greatly€diminishes€the€childððsÏchances€of€early€integration€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.€€Even€when€allÏthese€conditions€are€satisfied,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(1)€requires€theÏjuvenile€court€to€find€that€terminating€the€parental€rights€is€in€the€childððs€bestÏinterests.ÌÌà àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(f)€requires€juvenile€courts€to€file€writtenÏfindings€of€fact€to€substantiate€their€decisions€in€termination€cases.€€TheseÏfindings€may€be€incorporated€into€a€memorandum€opinion€or€order€and€needÏnot€track€the€words€of€the€statute€exactly.€€While€it€is€better€practice€to€couchÏfindings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€in€the€terms€used€in€the€statute,€anÏorder€will€be€deemed€to€comply€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(f)€if€it€canÍbe€reasonably€inferred€that€the€decision€was€based€on€the€statutoryÏrequirements.€€Although€portions€of€the€juvenile€courtððs€order€in€this€case€didÏnot€track€the€language€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„147(d)(1),€the€courtððsÏadherence€to€the€requirements€of€the€statute€can€easily€be€inferred€from€itsÏdetailed€memorandum€opinion.ÌÌà àC.A.T.,€Sr.€has€not€adequately€addressed€the€conditions€that€threatenedÏhis€children€with€harm.€€His€abuse€of€methamphetamines€has€cost€him€hisÏmarriage€and€his€job.€€He€has€refused€to€submit€to€drug€testing,€and€thus€theÏissue€of€his€own€drug€abuse€remains€unresolved.€€He€has€also€failed€to€protectÏhis€children€from€abuse€by€T.P.,€his€wifeððs€boyfriend,€whom€he€knows€to€beÏviolent€and€involved€in€the€sale€of€illegal€drugs.€€In€addition,€C.A.T.,€Sr.€hasÏmade€little€effort€to€interact€with€his€children€since€his€separation€from€E.G.T.Ïin€1993.€€He€never€sought€custody€during€E.G.T.ððs€unexplainedÏdisappearances.€€Between€the€time€of€the€separation€and€the€juvenile€courtÏhearing,€he€contacted€the€children€only€once€by€letter€and€twice€by€phone.€€HeÏhas€chosen€to€remain€largely€oblivious€to€the€poor€treatment€his€children€wereÏreceiving.ÌÌà àC.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€efforts€to€alter€his€lifestyle€after€moving€to€Tennessee€doÏnot€go€far€enough€towards€changing€the€conditions€posing€a€threat€of€harm€toÏhis€children.€€The€facts€that€he€found€some€temporary€employment€and€that€heÏrented€an€apartment€on€the€eve€of€the€hearing€are€significant.€€But€even€takingÏthese€efforts€into€consideration,€the€record€does€not€demonstrate€that€he€willÏbe€able€to€assume€the€responsibility€of€caring€for€his€children€in€the€nearÏfuture.€€His€skills€as€a€parent€remain€questionable,€particularly€with€regard€toÍthe€poor€socialization€of€his€children.€€He€has€not€availed€himself€of€theÏassistance€made€available€to€him€through€various€social€service€agencies€thatÏwill€assist€him€in€addressing€the€special€needs€of€his€children.€€These€factsÏsuggest€that€he€has€not€made€a€commitment€to€attending€to€the€well„being€ofÏhis€children.€€Thus,€there€is€clear€and€convincing€evidence€supporting€theÏtermination€of€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€parental€rights€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð37„1„147(d)(1)(A)€and€(B).ÌÌà àBecause€C.A.T.,€Sr.€will€not€be€able€to€care€for€his€children€in€the€nearÏfuture€and€because€foster€care€does€not€provide€a€stable€environment€forÏextended€periods€of€time,€adoption€may€be€the€childrenððs€only€chance€toÏbecome€part€of€a€stable€family.€€Thus,€continuing€the€parental€relationshipÏbetween€C.A.T.,€Sr.€and€his€children€will€prevent€the€children€from€beingÏintegrated€into€a€stable€and€permanent€home.€€The€fact€that€younger€childrenÏstand€a€better€chance€of€adoption€suggests€that€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€parental€rightsÏshould€be€terminated€now.€€Thus,€clear€and€convincing€evidence€also€supportsÏtermination€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð37„1„147(d)(1)(C).ÌÌà àThe€children€were€ill„behaved€when€they€were€first€placed€in€fosterÏcare.€€Both€children€performed€poorly€in€school,€and€they€fought€with€eachÏother,€destroyed€toys€and€household€items,€and€often€used€profane€language.€ÏC.A.T.,€Jr.€also€displayed€inappropriate€sexual€behavior€and€attempted€toÏescape€from€his€foster€home.€€After€more€than€a€year€in€foster€care,€theÏchildrenððs€emotional€stability€has€increased.€€They€are€progressing€well€inÏschool,€and€their€behavior€and€self„control€have€significantly€improved.€ÏC.A.T.,€Jr.ððs€special€needs,€caused€by€his€Downs€Syndrome,€are€beingÍaddressed,€and€he€is€now€better€able€to€function€as€a€member€of€theÏcommunity.€€The€improvement€in€the€childrenððs€behavior€while€in€foster€careÏdemonstrates€that€terminating€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€parental€rights€is€in€the€bestÏinterests€of€his€children.€€ÌÌÌà àC.A.T.,€Sr.€has€been€either€unwilling€or€unable€to€care€for€his€childrenÏin€the€past,€and€the€record€supports€the€juvenile€courtððs€conclusions€that€he€hasÏnot€placed€his€childrenððs€welfare€ahead€of€his€own,€that€he€is€not€presently€ableÏto€assume€these€responsibilities,€and€that€he€will€not€be€able€to€assume€theseÏresponsibilities€any€time€in€the€near€future.€Accordingly,€we€find€that€there€isÏclear€and€convincing€evidence€supporting€the€juvenile€courtððs€conclusion€thatÏterminating€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€parental€rights€with€regard€to€C.A.T.,€Jr.€andÏK.P.T.€is€in€the€childrenððs€best€interests.ÌÌà@ àò òB.ó óÌÌà àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„2„403(a)(2)€also€empowers€a€juvenile€court€toÏterminate€parental€rights€for€ð ðsubstantial€noncomplianceðð€with€the€statement€ofÏresponsibilities€in€a€foster€care€plan.€€In€order€to€rely€on€this€statute€toÏterminate€parental€rights,€the€department€must€demonstrate€that€the€foster€careÏplan€was€reasonable€and€that€the€plan€was€designed€to€remedy€the€problemsÏthat€had€caused€the€children€to€be€removed€from€the€home€in€the€first€place.€ÏThe€department€must€also€demonstrate€that€the€parent€was€aware€of€the€planððsÏrequirements€and€either€that€the€parent€agreed€to€the€plan€or€that€the€plan€wasÏapproved€by€a€court.€€Proceeding€under€this€section€does€not€infringe€upon€aÍparentððs€constitutional€rights€because€the€department€must€substantiate€its€caseÏby€clear€and€convincing€evidence.ÌÌà àThe€department€and€C.A.T.,€Sr.€developed€a€foster€care€plan€over€theÏtelephone€in€October€1994€while€C.A.T.,€Sr.€was€still€in€California.€€TheÏdepartment€contacted€C.A.T.,€Sr.€in€November€1994€once€the€plan€was€inÏplace€to€make€sure€that€he€was€aware€of€its€requirements.€€C.A.T.,€Sr.Ïacknowledged€that€he€understood€the€planððs€requirements€and€that€he€mustÏcomply€with€the€plan€in€order€to€receive€custody€of€his€children.€€ÌÌà àEach€of€the€planððs€eight€elements€were€designed€to€improve€C.A.T.,ÏSr.ððs€parenting€skills€and€his€relationship€with€his€sons.€€They€were€directedÏtoward€the€problems€that€had€required€the€department€to€place€the€children€inÏfoster€care€in€1994.€€While€C.A.T.,€Sr.€had€made€some€effort€to€comply€withÏparts€of€the€plan€on€the€eve€of€the€termination€hearing,€his€efforts€were€tooÏlittle€and€too€late.€€By€the€time€of€the€June€1995€hearing,€C.A.T.,€Sr.€had€notÏagreed€to€submit€to€random€drug€testing;€he€had€not€supported€his€childrenÏfinancially;€he€had€not€enrolled€in€parenting€classes€or€in€a€Downs€SyndromeÏsupport€group;€he€had€not€maintained€regular€contact€with€this€children;€andÏhe€had€not€made€arrangements€for€their€after„school€care.€€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððsÏconduct€provides€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€he€did€not€complyÏsubstantially€with€his€childrenððs€foster€care€plan€and€that€his€childrenððsÏinterests€would€be€served€best€by€terminating€his€parental€rights.ÌÌà@ àò òIV.ó óÌÌà àWe€find€that€the€juvenile€court€proceedings€satisfied€the€state€andÏfederal€constitutional€fair€hearing€requirements€and€complied€with€the€stateÏstatutes€designed€to€protect€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€rights€with€regard€to€his€children.€ÏThe€record€contains€clear€and€convincing€evidence€supporting€the€juvenileÏcourtððs€decision€to€terminate€C.A.T.,€Sr.ððs€parental€rights€in€accordance€withÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€€37„1„147(d)(1)€and€37„2„403(a)(2).€€Accordingly,€weÏaffirm€the€judgment€and€remand€the€case€to€the€juvenile€court€for€whateverÏother€proceedings€may€be€required.€€The€costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€theÏTennessee€Department€of€Human€Services.ÌÓÓÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà à____________________________Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àà àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,ÏJUDGEÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌ________________________________ÌHENRY€F.€TODD,€P.J.,€M.S.€ÌÌ________________________________ÌSAMUEL€L.€LEWIS,€JUDGE€Ô% € Ô