ÿWPCþ* lŨª¢UÕµ qãcŸãr!a}ŸWÌÒ‚´P…V“á–-S{’³² õWå±áyA8©sb¸ÆY#ì¡ê¦8°gk煉~ƒ, øåˆ €Êü+Ÿ •íMïP¹Ø"‹u·@­‰Pkm b€¦oŒÎ_‡F ;CP¨Ù—ꄆÊÎϘªï°ÂBv" ÆbŽ=+íðýp‘msOãŽCß»* qóag¬Ï`ª¦g•ê"þ3¹Oû ‘jJ·†i¶iÝÏ99Z•úpÊ•?7Á“ÔÎý®šÓÙSìYÈh¡­ö~ùR.^º ìPª~“EB–h$%$¢‹•M@±ìækª>_èƒÀù[SKN‹©9RaÙÊÀÀD’w…dPžˆ zù…wÑC‚¬ӠƤ<­±`µ Ô²š›ðh ‚ý™?üÀÜ’À"Hhœò\=G­£¤•FƘŤØðTz”¥¢f£RÖ5ØœhOÒajA7ä<9}ñÀ¬”ónù»#‚'`_"dý+¶o+6#ä%Õq×hÜEA*ÉiêËŲ“#ÍMàËnÜÚÔWBÏzm+ß‚Š^cn¹“zÌ÷CNS6²óñã7©î¶¿DÍŒ€ŠÏÇ“A`cZ#ÁìUN­ %û 0: ^ ; wG 4K _ n mp è‡ 0 Šo 0 Dù U@= N} ö Ju 4¿U Nó±A &òEö- b# ^…ã ë-ói  ø‰%‰% ( ‰( ‘(  ™(  £(£(£(£(£(4­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­(­( Bá*˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ôƒií(L ö~ì(¨»Ÿ œÊŸ3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ ÞÝ ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€also€ordered€the€mother€to€undergo€alcohol€treatment.€€After€an€alcoholÐ ° Ðassessment,€it€was€determined€that€she€did€not€need€alcohol€treatment.€€The€intoxication€observedÐ œì Ðthe€night€Ô‡X"ŽXXXÔtheÔ#†XüÐXXX"Ž]#Ô€children€were€removed€was€apparently€an€isolated€incident.€(:(2x«$¤¤Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(µ\Z  Z(Times New Roman  ìÝ ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€father€was€not€served€with€process.€€A€later€hearing€was€anticipated€regarding€hisÐ ° Ðparental€rights. @Ý ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAlthough€the€trial€court€found€the€motherððs€impaired€mental€condition€to€constitute€aÐ ° Ðseparate,€additional€ground€for€termination€pursuant€to€Tenn.€€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(7)(B)€(Supp.Ð œì Ð1999),€which€became€effective€January€1,€1996,€it€is€unnecessary€for€us€to€consider€that€finding€sinceÐ ˆØ Ðwe€have€affirmed€the€finding€that€the€ground€set€out€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A)€hasÐ tÄ Ðbeen€proved€clearly€and€convincingly.€€The€limitations€which€prevent€the€mother€from€effectivelyÐ `° Ðparenting€are€also€the€conditions€which€led€to€removal€and€prevent€the€return€of€the€children€to€theÐ L œ Ðmother. *Ý ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(7)(B)€(Supp.€1999)€authorizes€a€court€toò òó ó€terminate€parentalÐ ° Ðor€guardianship€rights€ð ðif€it€determines€on€the€basis€of€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that:€(i)€theÐ œì Ðparent€or€guardian€of€the€child€is€incompetent€to€adequately€provide€for€the€further€care€andÐ ˆØ Ðsupervision€of€the€child€because€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€mental€condition€is€presently€so€impairedÐ tÄ ¨ Ðand€is€so€likely€to€remain€so€that€it€is€unlikely€that€the€parent€or€guardian€will€be€able€to€assume€orÐ ° Ðresume€the€care€of€and€responsibility€for€the€child€in€the€near€future,€and€(ii)€that€termination€ofÐ œì Ðparental€or€guardian€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.ðð€€The€next€section,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ˆØ Ððð€36„1„113(g)(7)(C)€provides€that€in€such€circumstances,€ð ðno€willfulness€in€the€failure€of€the€parentÐ tÄ Ðor€guardian€to€establish€the€parentððs€or€guardianððs€ability€to€care€for€the€child€need€be€shown€toÐ `° Ðestablish€that€the€parental€or€guardianship€rights€should€be€terminated.ððÐ L œ Ð(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular §Ý ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Plan€itself€is€not€part€of€the€record€before€us.€€\Opinion Summary Ý ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€DCS€team€leader€who€saw€the€children€at€the€hospital€estimated€that€the€children€hadÐ ° Ðnot€been€washed€for€three€to€five€days.€€He€said€they€had€rashes€and€sores€on€their€bodies,€and€thatÐ œì Ðsome€of€the€sores€appeared€to€be€infected.€€Hospital€staff€had€to€wash€the€children€to€determineÐ ˆØ Ðwhich€marks€on€their€bodies€were€dirt€and€which€were€bruises. ìÝ ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€mother€asserts€that€the€trial€court€also€erroneously€terminated€her€rights€on€the€groundsÐ ° Ðshe€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€Plan€of€Care,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô‡¼¶Ü»XXÔððÔ#†XüÐX»¼¶Ü9#Ô€36„1„Ð œì Ð113(g)(2),€arguing€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€such€a€finding.€€Although€the€trial€courtÐ ®þ Ðfound€that€the€mother€had€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€her€responsibilities€under€the€Plan€ofÐ šê ÐCare,€we€do€not€interpret€the€trial€courtððs€termination€to€be€based€on€that€statutory€ground.?\Appellants Attorney Name & Appellant's Name.?\Appellees Attorney Name & Appellee's Name. 1 #Ñ#€CXÿÿd#Ñ _Ý ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔRegarding€the€conditions€which€led€to€the€removal€of€the€children,€the€mother€argues€thatÐ ° Ðthe€original€petition€for€custody€alleged€that€she€was€intoxicated€and€that€the€children€were€neglected.€Ð œì ÐShe€claims€that€the€case€managerððs€testimony€established€that€alcohol€abuse€was€not€a€problem€forÐ ˆØ Ðher,€and€that€the€apparent€intoxication€was€an€isolated€incident.€€She€further€argues€that€sheÐ tÄ Ðsubstantially€complied€with€the€Plan€of€Care,€as€shown€by€her€maintaining€an€apartment€for€moreÐ `° Ðthan€two€years,€severing€her€relationship€with€the€father,€€and€completing€the€parenting€class.€€SheÐ L œ Ðargues€that€she,€as€did€the€mother€in€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€98,€has,€to€the€best€of€her€ability,Ð 8 ˆ Ðcomplied€with€the€requirements€set€forth€by€DCS.×à ×× C ×€ò ò€ó óThese€arguments€assume€that€the€intoxication,Ð $ t Ðthe€nomadic€nature€of€the€life€she€shared€with€the€father,€and€the€lack€of€a€third€parenting€class€wereÐ  d Ðthe€only€problems€faced€by€the€mother.€€As€the€evidence€at€the€hearing€demonstrated,€the€conditionsÐ  P  Ðwhich€led€to€removal€included€the€overall€neglect€and€the€motherððs€inability€to€provide€care€to€theÐ ì <  Ðchildren.€€Furthermore,€the€motherððs€reliance€on€òòDrinnonóó€is€misplaced.€€In€that€case,€the€DepartmentÐ Ø(  Ðof€Human€Services€(which€at€that€time€performed€duties€now€assigned€to€DCS)€sought€to€return€theÐ Ä  Ðchildren€to€their€mother€based€on€her€improvements€in€parenting€abilities€and€other€life€skills.€€UponÐ °  Ðlearning€of€the€reunification€plans,€the€foster€parents€sought€to€terminate€the€motherððs€rights€and€toÐ œì  Ðadopt€the€children.€€In€the€case€before€us,€DCS€maintains€that€the€mother€is€presently,€and€for€theÐ ˆØ  Ðforeseeable€future,€incapable€of€caring€for€her€children. îÝ ƒ Ä($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€motherððs€reliance€on€òòDrinnonóó€is€misplaced.€€In€that€case,€the€Department€of€HumanÐ ° ÐServices€(which€at€that€time€performed€duties€now€assigned€to€DCS)€sought€to€return€the€childrenÐ œì Ðto€their€mother€based€on€her€improvements€in€parenting€abilities€and€other€life€skills.€€UponÐ ˆØ Ðlearning€of€the€reunification€plans,€the€foster€parents€sought€to€terminate€the€motherððs€rights€andÐ tÄ Ðto€adopt€the€children.€€In€the€case€before€us,€DCS€maintains€that€the€mother€is€presently,€and€forÐ `° Ðthe€foreseeable€future,€incapable€of€caring€for€her€children.7891011 *Ý ƒ x«$ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔEven€if€the€motherððs€inability€to€parent€was€not€a€condition€which€led€to€removal,€it€clearlyÐ ° Ðmeets€the€statutory€criteria€of€ð ðother€conditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€theÐ œì Ðchild€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€childððs€safe€returnÐ ˆØ Ðto€the€care€of€the€parent.ðð€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„1„113(g)(3)(A)(i). dÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡X"ŽXXXÔÑ€zãÑà@@ü ü ìàÔ‡îdêîXX"ŽÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐAT€NASHVILLEÐ Ü, ÐÌò òIN€THE€MATTER€OF€T.S.€AND€M.S.ó óÐ 4„ ÐÌÔ#†X"ŽXîîdê‹#Ôò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Rutherford€Countyó óÐ Œ Ü Ðò òNo.€25646J€€€€€€€Ben€Hall€Ô_ÔMcFarlinÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€Judgeó óÐ | Ì Ðò òÔ% ‡ ÔÔ%†$ÔÔ% ‡" ÔÔ%†"BÔÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€Y) °°` d€÷E<K` AßÐ Lœ  ÐÌà@@QQìàNo.€Ô% ‡# ÔM1999„01286„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CVÔ%†#áÔ€„€Decided€July€13,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÐ K›  ÐÌßA€Y) °°` dE<*` AßÐ +{  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ% ‡ ÔÔ%†èÔÔ#†XüÐXXX"ŽI#ÔThis€case€involves€the€termination€of€parental€rights€regarding€€two€children€who€were€removed€fromÐ *z  Ðthe€parental€home€by€the€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services€in€1995€and€placed€in€foster€care.€€TheÐ f Ðmother€was€ordered€to€take€steps€to€remedy€the€deficiencies€in€the€home€and€made€some€efforts€toÐ R Ðcomply.€€After€four€years,€DCS€petitioned€to€terminate€the€motherððs€parental€rights.€€The€trial€courtÐ î> Ðfound€that€the€mother€had€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€Plan€of€Care€and€terminated€theÐ Ú* Ðmotherððs€rights€on€grounds€(1)€that€the€conditions€that€led€to€the€childrenððs€removal€continued€toÐ Æ Ðpersist€with€little€likelihood€of€remedy€and€(2)€that€the€mother€was€incompetent€to€adequatelyÐ ² Ðprovide€for€the€children.€€Because€DCS€has€established€grounds€for€termination€and€has€alsoÐ žî Ðestablished€that€termination€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children,€we€affirm.Ð ŠÚ ÐÌÓÜÓò òÔ% ‡$ ÔTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€RightÔ%†$\Ô;€Judgment€of€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ b² ÐAffirmed€and€RemandedÔ% ‡% ÔÔ%†%éÔó óÐ Nž ÐÌòòÓ  ÓCottrell,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòÔ_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,óó€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.òòÔ% ‡& ÔÔ%†&Ê Ô,óó€and€òòKoch,€J.óó,Ð &v Ðjoined.Ð b ÐÌÔ% ‡ ÔÔ_ÔJ.G.Ô_Ô€Mitchell,€III,€Murfreesboro,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Tina€Ô_ÔRenaÔ_Ô€Stacey.Ô%†2 ÔÐ ê : ÐÌÔ% ‡ ÔÔ%†÷ ÔPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter€and€Douglas€Earl€Ô_ÔDimondÔ_Ô,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ Â"! ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð ®#þ" ÐÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ‡¼¶Ü»XXüÐԈР†%Ö $ ÐÔ#†XüÐX»¼¶Ü- #ÔÌÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àThe€two€children€who€are€the€subject€of€this€action€were€removed€from€the€home€by€theÐ ^'®"& ÐDepartment€of€Childrenððs€Services€(DCS)€in€1995€and€placed€in€foster€care.€€During€the€four€(4)Ð J(š#' Ðyears€between€removal€of€the€children€from€the€home€and€the€filing€by€DCS€of€the€petition€toÐ 6)†$( Ðterminate,€the€mother€made€efforts€to€improve€her€situation€and€her€parenting€abilities.€€DCS€andÐ "*r%) Ðother€social€services€agencies€provided€help€and€training€to€the€mother.€€After€four€years€of€effort,Ð +^&* Ðhowever,€during€which€the€children€had€been€in€various€foster€care€settings,€DCS€concluded€that€theÐ ú+J'+ Ðmother€was€still€unable€to€provide€the€care€and€supervision€the€children€needed€and€was€not€likelyÐ æ,6(, Ðto€become€able€to€parent€them.€€In€the€interest€of€making€permanent€placement€of€the€childrenÐ Ò-")- ÐÑzãÑâ âÑ8€üÐXXdìdÈ8Ñâ âÑ  Ñpossible,€DCS€initiated€this€termination€proceeding.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р° ÐÌÓ’ ÓÓ  ÓI.Ð ˆØ ÐÓjÓÓ ÓÌà  àThe€two€children,€both€girls,€T.S.€(born€1991)€and€M.S.€(born€1992),€were€removed€fromÐ `° Ðtheir€parentsðð€home€in€April€1995,€after€an€altercation€brought€the€police€to€the€house.€€The€children,Ð L œ Ðwho€had€apparently€been€the€subject€of€previous€referrals,€were€reported€to€be€ð ðin€a€neglectfulÐ 8 ˆ Ðcondition€being€extremely€dirty€with€numerous€scratches€on€their€bodies€and€appeared€to€be€sufferingÐ $ t Ðfrom€thrush€and€impetigo.ðð׃h×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€They€were€taken€to€the€emergency€room,€along€with€their€mother,€whoÐ  ` Ðhad€been€injured€in€the€altercation.€€€The€mother€seemed€drunk€and€kept€repeating,€ð ðI€wash€my€kids.ðð€Ð ü L  ÐDCS€obtained€a€protective€custody€order€and€€filed€a€petition€for€temporary€custody.€€Ð è 8  Ðà  àFollowing€a€hearing,€the€children€were€found€to€be€dependent€and€neglected.€Custody€wasÐ Ô$  Ðplaced€with€DCS,€and€the€mother€was€ordered€to€find€and€maintain€a€home,€to€undergo€psychologicalÐ À  Ðevaluation,€and€to€attend€parenting€classes.׃ à×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àAt€the€time€of€their€removal€from€the€home,€the€children,€at€four€and€almost€three€years€ofÐ „Ô  Ðage,€were€unable€to€communicate€their€needs.€€They€were€described€as€having€had€no€training€inÐ pÀ Ðsocial€skills.€€They€threw€tantrums,€which€included€head€banging.€€They€were€subsequentlyÐ \¬ Ðdetermined€to€be€ð ðglobally€delayed,ðð€meaning€developmentally€delayed€in€many€areas.€€In€their€initialÐ H˜ Ðplacement,€their€ð ðintense€behaviorsðð€resulted€in€a€change€to€a€ð ðtherapeuticðð€placement.€€They€alsoÐ 4„ Ðdisplayed€fear€of€the€bathtub,€fear€of€being€abandoned€by€a€caretaker,€the€need€to€be€held€and€rockedÐ  p Ðoften,€hoarding€food€and€otherwise€eating€as€if€they€were€starving.€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àThe€children€lived€in€at€least€four€foster€homes€between€their€removal€from€the€home€and€theÐ ä4 Ðhearing€to€terminate€the€motherððs€parental€rights.€€The€trial€court€heard€testimony€from€a€DCS€teamÐ Ð  Ðleader,€two€DCS€case€managers,€a€DCS€intern,€a€Ph.D.€candidate€who€worked€as€a€therapist€for€theÐ ¼  Ðmother,€the€childrenððs€special€education€teacher,€and€three€of€the€childrenððs€foster€mothers.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àBy€the€time€of€the€hearing,€the€children€had€made€progress€in€their€education.€€Both€neededÐ €Ð Ðspecial€education€due€to€their€developmental€delays,€and€needed€educational€assistance€at€home€toÐ l¼ Ðsupplement€their€school€work.€€Their€special€education€teacher€testified€that€both€children€hadÐ X ¨ ÐÔ_Ôprogressed€in€school.€€€T.S.€still€required€special€education,€but€was€in€a€regular€classroom€most€ofÐ ° Ðthe€day.€€M.S.€was€significantly€behind€when€she€entered€first€grade,€but€had€done€much€better€afterÐ œì Ðbeing€placed€back€in€kindergarten.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThe€girls€had€made€progress€in€their€behavior,€as€well.€€After€removal€from€the€first€fosterÐ `° Ðhome€because€their€ð ðintense€behaviorsðð€indicated€the€need€for€a€ð ðtherapeuticðð€placement,€thoseÐ L œ Ðbehaviors€have€improved.€€Their€first€foster€mother€testified€that,€when€they€went€to€her€home€fromÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€hospital,€they€were€afraid€of€the€bathtub.€€They€remained€afraid€of€the€bathtub€until€they€becameÐ $ t Ðused€to€it.€€She€said€the€girls€began€shaking€and€trembling€when€she€tried€to€take€them€anywhere,€andÐ  ` Ðthat€they€required€repeated€assurances€that€she€was€coming€back€for€them€when€she€took€them€toÐ ü L  Ðvisit€their€mother.€€Another€foster€mother€described€the€children€as€ð ðneedy,ðð€stating€that€they€wantedÐ è 8  Ðto€be€held€and€rocked€a€lot.€€She€said€they€ate€as€if€they€were€starving.€€After€visits€with€their€mother,Ð Ô$  Ðthe€girls€acted€disrespectfully€toward€the€foster€mother,€once€calling€her€a€liar€and€stating€that€theirÐ À  Ðmother€had€told€them€that.€€A€third€foster€mother€testified€that€the€younger€child€was€initially€afraidÐ ¬ü  Ðshe€would€be€left€behind€any€time€the€foster€mother€got€ready€to€go€somewhere,€although€those€fearsÐ ˜è  Ðseemed€to€have€been€assuaged.€€That€foster€mother€related€comments€from€one€of€the€children€thatÐ „Ô  Ðtheir€mother€told€them€she€was€going€to€steal€them€away€from€the€foster€home.€€She€also€testifiedÐ pÀ Ðthat€the€children€initially€insisted€on€sleeping€with€the€covers€pulled€over€their€heads,€but€that€theyÐ \¬ Ðno€longer€needed€to€do€so.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àOne€foster€mother€stated€her€opinion,€that€the€children€needed€someone€ð ðcapable€of€makingÐ  p Ðsure€they€get€what€they€need,€protecting€them.ðð€€A€case€manager€testified€that€the€children€will€needÐ  \ Ðhelp€in€high€school,€that€ð ðthey€will€need€all€of€the€help€that€they€can€get€and€more€than€the€averageÐ øH Ðchild.ðð€€She€stated€that€the€longer€the€children€were€in€state€custody,€the€more€difficult€theirÐ ä4 Ðintegration€into€a€stable€environment€would€be.€€Testimony€established€that€DCS€had€an€adoptiveÐ Ð  Ðplacement€for€the€children€upon€the€termination€of€the€parentsðð€rights.€€òòóóÐ ¼  ÐÌà  àA€DCS€case€manager€began€working€with€the€mother€after€the€children€were€removed,€andÐ ”ä Ðdeveloped€a€Plan€of€Care€for€her.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×òòò òó óóó€€DCS€then€offered€her€a€parenting€class€and€vocationalÐ €Ð Ðrehabilitation.€€She€declined€vocational€rehabilitation,€even€though€she€was€offered€transportationÐ l¼ Ðand€job€training.€€She€gave€two€reasons€for€her€refusal€to€participate:€because€a€job€would€lower€herÐ X ¨ ÐSSI€benefits,€and€because€she€was€ð ðslowðð€and€found€keeping€a€job€to€be€difficult.€The€mother€tookÐ D!” Ðthe€parenting€class,€and€attempted€to€use€the€parenting€techniques€she€learned,€although€her€attemptsÐ 0"€  Ðwere€described€as€inconsistent€and€ineffective.€€The€therapist€who€provided€the€mother€withÐ #l! Ðindividual€counseling€testified€that€the€mother€was€ð ðhighly€motivated,ðð€but€that€she€requires€ð ða€lotÐ $X" Ðof€effortðð€to€grasp€the€parenting€concepts.€€A€case€manager€observed€the€motherððs€visits€with€theÐ ô$D # Ðchildren€for€a€year€and€a€half,€but€saw€only€minimal€improvement.€€The€visits€between€the€motherÐ à%0!$ Ðand€the€children€were€described€as€ð ðchaotic,ðð€and€the€case€manager€sometimes€had€to€intervene.€€TheÐ Ì&"% Ðmother€could€not€control€or€engage€her€children,€and€required€suggestions€and€approval€from€otherÐ ¸'#& Ðadults.€€€€The€mother€participated€in€Regional€Intervention€Program€(RIP),€a€program€designed€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðhelp€parents€manage€their€children,€for€a€few€weeks.€€RIP€personnel€modified€the€program€to€meetÐ )à$( Ðthe€motherððs€needs€and€abilities.€€Despite€the€efforts€and€modifications€of€RIP€personnel,€the€directorÐ ° Ðsaid€the€mother€made€minimal€progress€in€that€program.€The€mother€was€offered€counseling€sessionsÐ œì Ðthrough€Guidance€Center,€but€she€dropped€out€when€she€became€discouraged.€€DCS€offered€theÐ ˆØ Ðmother€transportation€to€the€Steps€Program,€an€alternative€to€counseling,€but€she€declined€toÐ tÄ Ðparticipate€in€the€program.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€motherððs€IQ€was€assessed€at€64,€making€her€ð ðborderlineðð€for€mental€retardation.€€A€caseÐ 8 ˆ Ðmanager€testified€that€the€mother€€tried€to€comply€with€the€Plan,€but€that€she€would,€in€all€likelihood,€Ð $ t Ðnever€be€able€to€cope€with€the€children€and€make€parenting€decisions.€She€was€described€as€veryÐ  ` Ðchildlike€and€unable€to€understand€the€needs€of€the€children,€such€as€food,€medical€care,€schoolÐ ü L  Ðneeds,€and€the€need€for€consistent€rules.€€She€was€unable€to€use€distraction€techniques€to€stop€theÐ è 8  Ðgirls€from€fighting.€€The€children€did€not€respond€well€to€the€motherððs€attempts€to€discipline€them.€Ð Ô$  ÐA€case€manager€demonstrated€a€time„out€technique,€requiring€the€child€to€sit€quietly€afterÐ À  Ðmisbehaving,€but€the€mother€was€not€able€to€use€the€technique€effectively.€€The€DCS€intern,€who€hadÐ ¬ü  Ðsupervised€the€motherððs€visits€with€the€children€for€a€few€months,€told€of€one€visit€in€which€theÐ ˜è  Ðchildren,€after€being€with€the€mother€for€about€an€hour,€still€had€their€coats€and€backpacks€on.€€TheÐ „Ô  Ðmother€was€unable€to€determine€the€appropriate€technique€to€use€in€various€situations€or€to€applyÐ pÀ Ðthem€appropriately€in€context.€€€One€counselor€described€the€mother€as€having€reached€a€ð ðplateauððÐ \¬ Ðin€her€parenting€abilities.€€The€case€manager€did€not€doubt€that€the€mother€loved€her€children,€butÐ H˜ Ðdid€not€think€she€was€capable€of€making€sufficient€changes€to€enable€her€to€care€for€them.€€TheÐ 4„ Ðmother€was€described€as€being€simply€unable€to€prepare€the€children€for€adult€life.Ð  p ÐÌà  àThe€mother€testified€that€she€left€the€father€after€the€children€were€taken€into€state€custody.€Ð øH ÐShe€said€that€she€wanted€her€children€back,€and€that€she€could€help€them€with€their€educationalÐ ä4 Ðneeds.€The€mother€had€moved€from€the€home€she€shared€with€the€father€and€the€fatherððs€otherÐ Ð  Ðchildren€and€had€lived€in€the€same€apartment€for€more€than€two€years.€€She€stated€that€she€hadÐ ¼  Ðcompleted€parenting€courses€on€two€previous€occasions€before€the€series€of€classes€ordered€after€theÐ ¨ø Ðremoval€of€€these€children,€and€that€her€rights€to€other€children€had€been€terminated.€She€originallyÐ ”ä Ðsaid€she€had€seven€children€and€five€had€been€ð ðadopted€out,ðð€but€she€corrected€herself€after€she€wasÐ €Ð Ðprompted€by€her€attorney,€stating€that€she€actually€€had€five€children€and€the€rights€to€three€of€themÐ l¼ Ðhad€been€terminated.Ð X ¨ ÐÌòòóóà  àThe€trial€court,€after€hearing€the€evidence,€issued€its€order€terminating€the€motherððs€parentalÐ 0"€  Ðrights,€and€the€mother€has€appealed.Ð #l! ÐÌÌÌÌÓÓÌÌÓ  ÓII.Ð )à$( ÐÓô<ÓÓÓÌà  àòòóóÔ‡X"ŽXXXüÐÔBecause€the€decision€to€terminate€parental€rights€affects€fundamental€constitutional€rights,Ð h+¸&* Ðcourts€apply€a€higher€standard€of€proof€when€adjudicating€termination€cases.€€òòSee€O'Daniel€v.Ð ° ÐMessieróó,€905€S.W.2d€182,€186€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€To€justify€the€termination€of€parental€rights,Ð  ð Ðthe€grounds€for€termination€must€be€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code.Ð à ÐAnn.€ðð€36-1-113(c)(1)€(Supp.€1999);€òòState€Depððt€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Defrieceóó,€937€S.W.2d€954,€960Ð €Ð Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€Evidence€which€satisfies€the€clear€and€convincing€standard€"eliminates€anyÐ pÀ Ðserious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€the€conclusion€to€be€drawn€from€theÐ ` ° Ðevidence."€òòO'Danielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€188.€€€"This€heightened€standard€.€.€.€serves€to€prevent€theÐ P   Ðunwarranted€termination€or€interference€with€the€biological€parents'€rights€to€their€children."€€òòIn€reÐ @  ÐM.W.A.óó,€980€S.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Ð 0 € ÐÌà8  àÔ#†XüÐXXX"ŽK=#ÔThe€ð ðclear€and€convincing€evidenceðð€standard€defies€precise€definition.€€While€it€isÐ `  Ðmore€exacting€than€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard,€it€does€not€requireÐ üL  Ðsuch€certainty€as€the€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€standard.€€Clear€and€convincingÐ è8  Ðevidence€eliminates€any€serious€or€substantial€doubt€concerning€the€correctness€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðconclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€It€should€produce€in€the€fact„finderððsÐ À  Ðmind€a€firm€belief€or€conviction€with€regard€to€the€truth€of€the€allegations€sought€toÐ ¬ü  Ðbe€established.ИèÐ Ð  ÐÌòòOððDanielóó,€905€S.W.2d€at€186.Ô‡X"ŽXXXüÐÔÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àUnder€this€heightened€standard€of€review,€we€must€first€review€the€trial€courtððs€findings€inÐ Lœ Ðaccordance€with€Tenn.€R.€App.€13(d).€€€Ô#†XüÐXXX"ŽðD#ÔThat€review€€is€òòde€novoóó,€with€a€presumption€of€correctnessÐ <Œ Ðfor€the€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€òòSee€óóTenn.Ð <Œ ÐR.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Ô‡X"ŽXXXüÐÔThen,€we€must€determine€whether€the€facts€make€out€a€clear€and€convincing€caseÐ (x Ðin€favor€of€terminating€the€parentsðð€parental€rights.€€€òòSeeóóÔ#†XüÐXXX"ŽÞF#ÔÔ‡X"ŽXXXüÐÔ€òòIn€re€Drinnonóó,€776€S.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.Ð (x ÐCt.€App.€1988).Ð h ÐÔ#†XüÐXXX"ŽÇG#ÔÌà  àParental€rights€may€be€terminated€in€only€a€limited€number€of€statutorily€definedÐ ôD Ðcircumstances.€€Before€termination,€one€or€more€of€the€asserted€statutory€grounds€must€be€provedÐ à0 Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€and€the€court€must€determine,€also€using€the€clear€and€convincingÐ Ì Ðevidence€standard,€that€termination€is€in€the€childððs€best€interest.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð ¸  Ð113(c)(2)€(Supp.€1999).Ð ¤!ô ÐÌà  àThe€trial€courtððs€order€provided,€in€relevant€part:Ð |#Ì! ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€specifically€finds€that€the€Respondent€has€failed€to€substantially€complyÐ T%¤ # Ðwith€her€responsibilities€under€the€Plan€of€Care€and€that€the€non„compliance€was€notÐ @&!$ Ða€result€of€willful€behavior€however,€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)€and€36„1„Ð ,'|"% Ð113(g)(7)(B)€the€Respondent,€due€to€mental€impairment,€is€not€capable€of€caring€forÐ (h#& Ðthe€children.€€While€there€is€no€doubt€that€the€Respondent€loves€her€children,€she€isÐ )T$' Ðincapable€of€providing€care€for€them.€€The€testimony€presented€proved€that€theÐ ð)@%( ÐRespondent€has€reached€a€plateau€in€dealing€with€her€children€and€there€is€noÐ Ü*,&) Ðguarantee€that€she€will€ever€be€able€to€provide€care€on€a€daily€basis€for€the€childrenÐ È+'* Ðand€the€time€spent€waiting€for€this€to€occur€would€impair€the€ability€for€the€childrenÐ ° Ðto€be€integrated€into€a€stable€environment.МìÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€further€finds€that€the€Department€has€exercised€reasonable€efforts€toÐ tÄ Ðreunify€the€family€however,€the€children€have€been€removed€from€the€home€for€aÐ `° Ðperiod€of€more€than€six€(6)€months,€the€conditions€which€led€to€removal€continue€toÐ L œ Ðpersist€and€the€continuation€of€the€parent€and€child€relationship€greatly€diminishesÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€chances€of€the€children€to€have€a€permanent€and€stable€home.€€It€is€furtherÐ $ t Ðspecifically€found€[that]€termination€of€parental€rights€of€[the€mother]€is€in€the€bestÐ  ` Ðinterests€of€the€children.Ðü L Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àWe€interpret€the€trial€courtððs€order€as€basing€termination€on€two€grounds:€(1)€persistence€ofÐ Ô$  Ðthe€conditions€leading€to€removal€(Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô‡¼¶Ü»XXüÐÔððÔ#†XüÐX»¼¶Ü8R#Ô€36„1„113(g)(3)(A))€and€(2)€the€motherððsÐ À  Ðimpaired€mental€condition€which€renders€her€unable€to€provide€the€care€and€supervision€needed€byÐ Ò"  Ðthe€children€(Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô‡¼¶Ü»XXüÐÔððÔ#†XüÐX»¼¶ÜQS#Ô€36„1„113(g)(7)(B)).׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€If€either€ground€in€supported€by€the€evidence,Ð ¾  Ðapplying€the€clear€and€convincing€standard,€we€must€affirm€if€termination€is€in€the€childrenððs€bestÐ Ð  Ðinterest.Ð ¼  ÐÓ(=ÓÌà@à à ìàIII.€€€€The€Conditions€Which€Led€to€Removal€PersistˆÐ ”ä ÐÌÓ0Óà  àThe€trial€court€based€the€termination€of€parental€rights€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð l¼ Ð113(g)(3)(A),€which€provides€the€following€as€grounds€for€seeking€termination:Ð X¨ ÐÌà8  àThe€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian€by€order€of€aÐ 0€ Ðcourt€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:ÐlÐ Ð  Ðà8  à(i)€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€child's€removal€or€other€conditions€which€in€allÐ X Ðreasonable€probability€would€cause€the€child€to€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€orÐ ôD Ðneglect€and€which,€therefore,€prevent€the€child's€safe€return€to€the€care€of€theÐ à0 Ðparent(s)€or€guardian(s),€still€persist;ÐÌÐ Ð  Ðà8  à(ii)€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€be€remedied€at€an€early€dateÐ ¸ Ðso€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€to€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€nearÐ ¤ ô Ðfuture;€andÐ!àÐ Ð  Ðà8  à(iii)€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€child€relationship€greatlyÐ |"Ì  Ðdiminishes€the€child's€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanentÐ h#¸! Ðhome.ÐT$¤"Ð Ð  ÐÐ @% # Ðà  àNo€one€disputes€that€the€children€had€been€removed€from€the€home€for€more€than€six€months.Ð ° ÐIn€fact,€they€had€been€living€in€a€series€of€foster€care€placements€for€four€years€while€DCS€gave€theÐ œì Ðmother€opportunity€and€assistance€to€improve€her€ability€to€provide€care€for€the€children.€€TheÐ ˆØ Ðoriginal€order€placing€the€children€in€State€custody€found€the€children€to€be€dependent€and€neglected,Ð tÄ Ðbut€provided€no€factual€details€regarding€the€basis€for€that€decision.€€However,€testimony€at€theÐ `° Ðtermination€hearing€established€the€childrenððs€physical,€emotional€and€psychological€condition€at€theÐ L œ Ðtime€of€removal.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€addition,€the€original€order€required€the€mother€to€1)€find€and€maintain€anÐ 8 ˆ Ðadequate€home€for€the€children;€2)€undergo€a€psychological€evaluation€to€determine€her€ability€toÐ $ t Ðproperly€care€for€her€children;€and€3)€successfully€complete€parenting€classes€and€alcohol€treatment.€Ð  ` ÐWe€are€convinced€that€neglect€of€the€children,€resulting€at€least€in€large€part€from€€the€motherððs€lackÐ ü L  Ðof€parenting€abilities,€was€a€condition€which€led€to€the€removal€of€the€children.׃+@×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€supports€the€trial€courtððs€determination€that€€the€motherððs€mental€impairmentÐ À  Ðprevented€her€from€being€able€to€care€for€her€children€and€has€affected€her€parenting€in€ways€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðhave€proved€detrimental€to€the€children.׃¸×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€It€also€supports€the€conclusion€that€these€conditions€existedÐ ˜è  Ðprior€to€the€childrenððs€removal,€during€the€four€years€since€removal,€and€at€the€time€of€the€trial.€€TheÐ ° Ðmother€obviously€loves€her€children€and€has€made€changes€in€her€living€arrangements€to€provide€aÐ œì Ðbetter€environment.€While€she€has€generally€complied€with€some€DCS€requests€to€participate€inÐ ˆØ Ðprograms€to€improve€her€ability€to€parent,€the€mother€is€simply€unable€to€provide€appropriate€careÐ tÄ Ðto€her€children.€€She€is€still€unable€to€properly€manage€or€discipline€her€children,€even€in€theÐ `° Ðcontrolled€surroundings€of€the€DCS€supervised€visitation.€€€Described€as€ð ðchildlikeðð€herself,€theÐ L œ Ðmother€is€not€able€to€understand€her€childrenððs€basic€needs.€€Despite€her€best€intentions,€she€is€unableÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€understand€the€needs€for€consistent€rules€or€for€food€and€medical€care.€The€children€have€beenÐ $ t Ðshown€to€have€special€needs;€they€are€developmentally€delayed€and€are€in€special€education€classes.€Ð  ` ÐThey€require€help€at€home€beyond€that€which€is€provided€at€school,€and€the€mother€is€unable€toÐ ü L  Ðprovide€that€help€or€to€understand€the€needs.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àFurther,€the€evidence€presented€gave€no€indication€that€the€motherððs€condition€is€likely€toÐ À  Ðimprove€to€the€extent€that€she€will€be€able€to€care€for€the€children€in€the€near€future.€€No€witness€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðable€to€hold€out€hope€that€the€motherððs€parenting€abilities€would€improve€beyond€the€level€which€hasÐ ˜è  Ðbeen€reached€in€the€four€years€since€the€childrenððs€removal.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€Depððt.€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Smithóó,€785€S.W.2d€336,€338€(Tenn.€1990),€our€SupremeÐ \¬ ÐCourt€found€a€parentððs€ð ðmental€disabilityðð€to€be€a€condition€which€led€to€the€removal€of€the€childÐ H˜ Ðfrom€the€home€and€that€the€motherððs€refusal€to€accept€treatment€prevented€elimination€of€thatÐ 4„ Ðcondition.€€€Further,€the€failure€to€remedy€conditions€jeopardizing€the€children,€or€the€failure€toÐ  p Ðfollow€the€plan€of€care€(which€is€designed€to€remedy€the€situation€sufficiently€to€safely€allow€theÐ  \ Ðreturn€of€the€children)€need€not€be€the€result€of€a€willful€action.€€òòÔ‡X"ŽXXXüÐÔSee€Smithóó,€785€S.W.2d€at€338.€€InÐ øH Ðreversing€a€Court€of€Appeals€decision€to€the€contrary,€the€Supreme€Court€stated:Ð øH ÐÌà8  àThe€holding€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€in€this€case€„€„€that€ð ðmental€disabilityðð€can€notÐ Ø( Ðbe€the€basis€of€termination€of€parental€rights€since€the€acts€of€the€mentally€disabledÐ È Ðparent€are€not€willful€„€„€would€nullify€a€significant€part€of€the€legislative€plan€for€theÐ ¸ Ðwelfare€of€dependent€and€neglected€children.€€An€obvious€result€of€the€holding€is€toÐ ¨ø Ðcondemn€a€child,€whose€parents€are€unfit€to€properly€care€for€the€child€because€ofÐ ˜è Ðmental€illness,€to€a€life€in€serial€foster€homes€without€any€possibility€of€a€stable,Ð ˆ Ø Ðpermanent€home.€Ðx!ÈÐ Ð  ÐÌòòId.óóÐ X#¨! ÐÔ#†XüÐXXX"Ž’k#ÔÌà  àWhile€the€mother€in€òòSmithóó€was€mentally€ill€and€refused€to€accept€treatment,€a€similarÐ œì Ðconclusion€may€be€reached€when€a€parent€cannot€be€rehabilitated€to€be€able€to€care€for€the€children.€Ð ˆØ ÐÔ‡X"ŽXXXüÐÔIn€òòState€Depððt.€of€Human€Servs.€v.€Adamsóó,€No.€03A01„9403„CV„00114,€1994€WL€579911€at€*9Ð tÄ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€24,€1994)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed),€this€court€affirmed€theÐ d´ Ðtermination€of€parental€rights€of€parents€who,€after€efforts€by€various€social€services€and€counselingÐ T ¤ Ðagencies,€some€of€which€the€parents€took€advantage€of,€were€unable€to€improve€their€parenting€skillsÐ D ” Ðto€a€level€where€the€children€could€be€returned€to€the€home.€€The€parents€completed€a€parenting€class,Ð 4 „ Ðbut€ð ðwere€never€able€to€demonstrate€any€ability€to€use€the€techniques€taught€in€those€classes.ðð€€TheÐ $ t Ðcourt€found€these€parents€€ð ðfor€whatever€reasonðð€were€ð ðincapable€of€responsible€parenting.ðð€€TheÐ  d  Ðresult€of€this€conclusion€was€termination€on€the€ground€the€parents€had€ð ðnot€adjusted€theirÐ T  Ðcircumstances,€conduct,€€or€conditions€to€make€it€in€the€childrenððs€best€interests€to€return€to€theirÐ ôD  Ðnatural€parents€in€the€foreseeable€future.ðð€€òòIdóó.Ð ä4  ÐÌà  àSimilarly,€in€òòIn€the€Matter€of:€T.J.H.€and€M.S.M.óó,€No.€01A01„9712„CH€„00736,€1998€WLÐ Ä  Ð313719€at€*4ò ò€ó ó(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€12,€1998)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed),€this€courtÐ ´ Ðaffirmed€termination€of€parental€rights€on€the€basis€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3)(A).€€In€thatÐ ¤ô Ðcase,€this€court€found€that€the€two€most€serious€persistent€conditions€were€the€parentsðð€mentalÐ ”ä Ðillnesses€and€their€inability€to€manage€their€medications€and€further€found€that€neither€parent€hadÐ „Ô Ðremedied€their€inability€to€manage€their€disorders.€The€court€also€found€that€the€evidence€that€theÐ tÄ Ðchildrenððs€circumstances€had€improved€since€placement€in€a€foster€home€provided€clear€andÐ d´ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€termination€of€parental€rights€would€hasten€the€childrenððs€integration€intoÐ T¤ Ða€stable,€permanent€home.Ð D” ÐÌÔ#†XüÐXXX"ŽIp#Ôà  àThese€opinions€indicate€that€a€parentððs€continued€inability€to€provide€fundamental€care,€evenÐ $t Ðthough€not€willful,€whether€caused€by€mental€illness,€mental€impairment,€or€some€other€cause,Ð ` Ðconstitutes€a€condition€which€prevents€the€safe€return€of€the€child€to€the€parentððs€care.€Where,€asÐ üL Ðhere,€efforts€to€provide€help€to€improve€the€parenting€abilities,€offered€over€a€long€period€of€time,Ð è8 Ðhave€proved€ineffective,€the€conclusion€that€there€is€little€likelihood€of€such€improvement€as€wouldÐ Ô$ Ðallow€the€safe€return€of€the€child€to€the€parent€in€the€near€future€is€justified.€€Ð À ЀÌà  àWe€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€DCS€has€shown,€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€theÐ ˜!è Ðmother,€Ð „"Ô  ÐÌà8  àis€not€capable€of€caring€for€the€children€.€.€.€and€incapable€of€providing€for€them.€.€.Ð \$¬" Ð.€[T]here€is€no€guarantee€that€she€will€ever€be€able€to€provide€care€on€a€daily€basis€forÐ H%˜ # Ð[them]€and€the€time€spent€waiting€for€this€to€occur€would€impair€the€ability€of€theÐ 4&„!$ Ðchildren€to€be€integrated€into€a€stable€environment.Ð 'p"%Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThus,€we€also€agree€with€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€DCS€has€shown,€through€clear€andÐ ø(H$' Ðconvincing€evidence,€that,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(3),€the€conditions€which€ledÐ ä)4%( Ðto€the€childrenððs€removal€from€the€home€continue€to€persist€and€prevent€the€childrenððs€return€to€theÐ Ð* &) Ðhome,€that€there€is€little€likelihood€that€the€conditions€will€be€remedied€in€the€near€future,€that€theÐ ¼+ '* Ðcontinuation€of€the€parent„child€relationship€greatly€diminishes€the€childrenððs€chances€of€beingÐ ° Ðplaced€in€a€permanent€home.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð œì ÐÌÓIUÓÓ  ÓIV.€€Termination€of€Parental€Rights€is€in€the€Childrenððs€Best€InterestÐ tÄ ÐÓ%ÓÓJÓÌà  àOnce€statutory€grounds€for€termination€have€been€established,€the€court€must€determine,Ð L œ Ðbased€on€clear€and€convincing€evidence,€that€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interest€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€children.€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(c)(2)€(Supp.€1999).€€The€mother€argues€that€€the€trialÐ $ t Ðcourt€did€not€consider€the€statutory€factors€it€should€have€considered€in€deciding€whether€terminatingÐ  ` Ðher€parental€rights€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)€states:€ò òÐ ü L  ÐÌó óà8  àà ` àIn€determining€whether€termination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€is€in€theÐ Ô$  Ðbest€interest€of€the€child€pursuant€to€this€part,€the€court€shall€consider,€but€is€notÐ À  Ðlimited€to,€the€following:à h à€ò òЬü Ð Ð  Ðà8  àó óà ` à(1)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€made€such€an€adjustment€ofÐ ˜è  Ðcircumstance,€conduct,€or€conditions€as€to€make€it€safe€and€in€the€child's€best€interestÐ „Ô  Ðto€be€in€the€home€of€the€parent€or€guardian;ÐpÀÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(2)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€failed€to€effect€a€lasting€adjustmentÐ \¬ Ðafter€reasonable€efforts€by€available€social€services€agencies€for€such€duration€of€timeÐ H˜ Ðthat€lasting€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appear€possible;Ð4„Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(3)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€maintained€regular€visitation€or€otherÐ  p Ðcontact€with€the€child;Ð \Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(4)€Whether€a€meaningful€relationship€has€otherwise€been€establishedÐ øH Ðbetween€the€parent€or€guardian€and€the€child;Ðä4Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(5)€The€effect€a€change€of€caretakers€and€physical€environment€is€likely€toÐ Ð  Ðhave€on€the€child's€emotional,€psychological€and€medical€condition;м Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(6)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian,€or€other€person€residing€with€the€parentÐ ¨ø Ðor€guardian,€has€shown€brutality,€physical,€sexual,€emotional€or€psychological€abuse,Ð ”ä Ðor€neglect€toward€other€children€in€the€family€or€household;ЀÐÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(7)€Whether€the€physical€environment€of€the€parent's€or€guardian's€home€isÐ l¼ Ðhealthy€and€safe,€whether€there€is€criminal€activity€in€the€home,€or€whether€there€isÐ X ¨ Ðsuch€use€of€alcohol€or€controlled€substances€as€may€render€the€parent€or€guardianÐ D!” Ðconsistently€unable€to€care€for€the€child€in€a€safe€and€stable€manner;Ð0"€ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(8)€Whether€the€parent's€or€guardian's€mental€and/or€emotional€status€wouldÐ #l! Ðbe€detrimental€to€the€child€or€prevent€the€parent€or€guardian€from€effectivelyÐ $X" Ðproviding€safe€and€stable€care€and€supervision€for€the€child;€€orаРР Ðà8  àà ` à(9)€Whether€the€parent€or€guardian€has€paid€child€support€consistent€with€theÐ œì Ðchild€support€guidelines€promulgated€by€the€department€pursuant€to€ðð€36-5-101.ЈØÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àò òó óWhile€the€trial€court€did€not€explicitly€state€that€it€had€considered€the€statutory€factors,€theÐ `° Ðcourtððs€findings€regarding€the€existence€of€grounds€herein€are€applicable€to€the€best€interest€analysis,Ð L œ Ðand€we€cannot€say€that€the€trial€court€failed€to€consider€them.€€Our€own€review€of€the€evidence,€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðlight€of€those€factors,€compels€our€agreement€with€the€trial€court,€that€the€termination€of€the€motherððsÐ $ t Ðrights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€these€children.€ò ò€ó óThe€mother€has€not€made€an€adjustment€of€conditions,Ð  ` Ðspecifically€her€lack€of€parenting€ability,€which€would€make€it€safe€and€in€the€childrenððs€best€interestÐ  P  Ðfor€the€children€to€be€in€her€home.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(1).€€She€has€failed€to€makeÐ ì <  Ðthe€adjustment,€despite€reasonable€efforts€by€DCS,€and€such€adjustment€does€not€reasonably€appearÐ Ø(  Ðpossible.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(2).€€The€motherððs€mental€impairment€and€consequentÐ Ä  Ðinability€to€parent€would€prevent€her€from€providing€safe€and€stable€care€for€the€children.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.Ð °  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(i)(8).€€Considering€the€above€factors,€and€the€fact€that€an€adoptive€placementÐ œì  Ðis€available€for€the€children,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€termination€of€the€motherððs€parentalÐ ˆØ  Ðrights€is€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àWe€are€fully€aware€of€the€gravity€of€the€decision€to€terminate€a€parentððs€rights.€€The€motherÐ Lœ Ðherein€clearly€loves€her€children€and€has€made€many€improvements€in€her€life.€€However,€as€statedÐ 8ˆ Ðby€appellee,€ð ð[D]espite€years€of€effort€from€a€number€of€service€providers,€[the€mother]€was€unableÐ $t Ðto€remedy€the€persistent€conditions€in€their€lives€that€prevented€the€childrenððs€return.ðð€€This€motherÐ ` Ðwould€like€to€parent€her€children,€but€is€simply€unable€to€provide€the€care€they€need.€€As€regrettableÐ üL Ðas€we€find€terminating€the€rights€of€a€parent€who€has€made€efforts€to€become€a€competent€parent,€toÐ è8 Ðdo€otherwise€would,€in€all€likelihood,€leave€the€children€in€foster€care€until€they€reach€the€age€ofÐ Ô$ Ðmajority.€Ð À ÐÌÓŸÓÓ  ÓV.Ð ˜è ÐÓÙ˜ÓÓzÓÌò òó óà  àWe€affirm€the€order€terminating€the€motherððs€parental€rights€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trialÐ pÀ Ðcourt€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€required.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€mother,Ð \ ¬ Ðfor€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð H!˜ ÐÓ ™Ó