ÿWPC¢ Ý¿çþx"³²Xe£7~ `ë²²XŽxÙØ¶hbq`d} ƒkÆyXßËJ§Rk¢Ë0ú‚‘B2²Æ°éð€b6~ ù>’–We@jÀQ#õ-LV½(×ûw¦ïH>Ÿ]ãɆ’Ál‚¤ï+¡C=FåòŒ O#|?ÄÂNIðàën3¥–«®ºrû[!fM˜ Etú +à¾E±÷…Ͳ4)™``¾'éL=TkT >ÏùƒÕÉøv¸’>½ÿ5‡df;b ù1äF*äï]ÌÄå¹%«¡MYà©45dŒ˜-ç:?ß¹‘¢¼ßŸ1L:qs×—Àk8¬oHk…Ú•îC œß¿Z%¸°iæ6XŽY×)×yy{åMC•Äÿ«ç"¬ `mãb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ  ™ Æ9ÆÿÆÅÆ‹,QN} 0D 0¤ÃEgÆif//////////////////////b•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 0ë Bˆˆ 0¤¥ D5I D-~ 0K«« ASöÆI 0¤ 0D³ A«÷»K‰q1Þ (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularÖƒF1ê:i¢×+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S08\KNOXCLERK4ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 –Ý ƒR½’$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó­ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€one€document€filed€during€this€time€period€was€the€order€on€the€March€27,€2002,€hearing.€€The€orderÐ ° Ðpertaining€to€this€hearing€actually€was€signed€by€the€Juvenile€Court€on€November€13,€2002,€but€was€entered€nunc€proÐ tÄ Ðtunc€to€March€27.€€Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 "Ý ƒR½’$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó­ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€We€went€on€to€add€that€DCS€ð ðis€not€required€to€make€reasonable€efforts€every€time€it€removes€a€child.€€InÐ ° Ðcertain€aggravated€circumstances,€such€as€severe€child€abuse,€the€Department€is€relieved€of€this€duty.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð tÄ Ð37-1-102,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€37-1-166(g)(4)€and€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€36-1-113(g)(7).ðð€€òòIn€re€C.€LaC.€and€D.L.óó,€2004€Tenn.Ð 8ˆ ÐApp.€LEXIS€172,€at€*€15€n.5.€€òòSee€also€In€Re€C.M.M.€&€S.D.M.óó,€No.€M2003„01122„COA„R3„PT,€2004€Tenn.€App.Ð üL ÐLEXIS€160,€at€*€28€n.26€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€9,€2004),€òòno€appl.€perm.€appeal€filed,óó€(ð ðTermination€proceedings€basedÐ À Ðon€the€grounds€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(g)(4)€-€(8)€usually€will€not€require€the€Department€to€demonstrate€thatÐ „Ô Ðit€has€made€reasonable€efforts€to€reunite€a€child€with€his€or€her€parents.ðð).Ð H ˜ ÐÌ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(|3?n$§§Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý ¼Ý ƒR½’$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó­ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€It€is€unclear€whether€the€permanency€plan€developed€by€Maxey€followed€the€first€or€second€petition€forÐ ° Ðtemporary€custody€filed€by€DCS.€€The€permanency€plan€referenced€by€the€Juvenile€Court€in€the€final€judgment€wasÐ tÄ Ðdeveloped€well€over€a€year€after€Maxey€left€the€employ€of€DCS. B.B.M.Mindy P.J.HodgeMorristownM.W.A.Dep'tServsD.G.S.L. COA LaCC.M.M.S.D.M.C.D.B.MaxeyLeanneHolcombEidsonJalanaClingan- ù-(|G2½’$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó­ò»»Ô d(|3?n$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?n$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼J »»»ÔÑ8€ XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îV¬î»¼J ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼J »îîV¬ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€October€27,€2004€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X X»¼J ÔÌò òÔ#†¼J »XX #ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€DEPARTMENT€OF€CHILDREN'S€SERVICESÐ úJ Ðv.€B.B.M.Ô‡X X»¼J Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òÔ#†¼J »XX ¡#ÔÔ€X X»¼J ÔAppeal€from€the€Juvenile€Court€for€Hancock€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€12753€through€12756€€€€€€Mindy€Norton€Seals,€JudgeÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2004„00491„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„PT€„€FILED€NOVEMBER€17,€Ô_Ô2004Ô_ÔÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` Aßó óÐ ‘á  ÐÓ  ÓÌÌThis€appeal€involves€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€termination€of€the€parental€rights€of€B.B.M.€(ð ðMotherðð)Ð xÈ Ðto€her€four€children.€€After€a€trial,€the€Juvenile€Court€held€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ d´ Ðthat€DCS€had€made€a€reasonable€effort€to€assist€Mother€to€reunite€with€her€children.€€The€JuvenileÐ P  ÐCourt€also€concluded€that€DCS€had€proven€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€Motherððs€parentalÐ <Œ Ðrights€should€be€terminated€on€three€separate€grounds.€€Finally,€the€Juvenile€Court€held€there€wasÐ (x Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights€was€in€the€childrenððs€bestÐ d Ðinterest.€€The€record€on€appeal€is€lacking€in€many€respects€and€does€not€contain€even€the€permanencyÐ P Ðplans€developed€by€DCS€to€assist€Mother€in€the€unsuccessful€attempt€to€reunite€her€with€her€children.€Ð ì< ÐWe€conclude€the€record,€such€as€it€is,€does€not€contain€sufficient€evidence€to€support€the€JuvenileÐ Ø( ÐCourtððs€conclusion€that€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€DCS€had€made€a€reasonableÐ Ä Ðeffort€to€assist€Mother€to€reunite€with€her€children.€€The€judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€is,€therefore,Ð ° Ðreversed.€€Ð œì ÐÌÌò òà@µ µ ìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€theˆÐ `!°  Ðà@â â ìàJuvenile€à@@« « ìàCourt€Reversed;€Case€RemandedˆÐ L"œ! Ðòòó óÌÌD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.,€óódelivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€P.J.,€óóandÐ %` $ ÐòòSharon€G.€Lee,€J.,€óójoined.Ð ü%L!% ÐÌÌScott€A.€Hodge,€Morristown,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant€B.B.M.Ð À($( ÐÌÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€and€Douglas€Earl€Ô_ÔDimondÔ_Ô,€Senior€Counsel,Ð „+Ô&+ ÐNashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee€State€of€Tennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð  p,À',ý ÐÔ_Ôà@66'ìàò òOPINIONˆÐ ° ÐÌà@ÛÛ%ìàòòBackgroundó óóóˆÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àThis€litigation€began€in€August€of€1998€when€DCS€filed€a€Petition€for€TemporaryÐ `° ÐCustody€of€Motherððs€four€children,€who€then€were€ages€1,€3,€6,€and€8.€€In€the€petition,€DCS€claimedÐ L œ Ðthe€children€were€dependent€and€neglected€because€both€parents,€who€were€divorced€and€living€apart,Ð 8 ˆ Ðhad€lost€their€homes€and€were€unable€to€care€for€the€children.€€Apparently,€the€childrenððs€father€hadÐ $ t Ðplaced€them€with€various€relatives€who€no€longer€were€able€to€care€adequately€for€them.€€Along€withÐ  ` Ðthe€petition,€DCS€filed€an€Affidavit€of€Reasonable€Efforts€setting€forth€what€efforts€had€been€madeÐ ü L  Ðto€prevent€removing€the€children€from€their€home.€€The€Juvenile€Court€granted€the€petition€andÐ è 8  Ðawarded€DCS€temporary€custody.€€€In€April€and€July€of€1999,€temporary€custody€of€three€of€the€fourÐ Ô$  Ðchildren€was€returned€to€the€father€on€a€ð ðtrial€home€placement.ðð€€Although€the€record€contains€noÐ À  Ðorder€returning€temporary€custody€of€the€fourth€child€to€the€father,€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€finalÐ ¬ü  Ðjudgment€stated€ð ðthat€is€in€fact€what€occurred.ðð€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àà ` àDCS€filed€a€second€Petition€for€Temporary€Custody€in€May€of€2000,€claiming€all€fourÐ pÀ Ðchildren€once€again€were€dependent€and€neglected.€€With€regard€to€the€father,€DCS€alleged€he€hadÐ \¬ Ða€ð ðlengthy€alcohol€dependency€problem,ðð€although€he€had€expressed€an€intention€to€seek€treatment.Ð H˜ ÐWith€regard€to€Mother,€DCS€stated€she€was€receiving€Social€Security€disability€benefits€for€ð ðmentalÐ 4„ Ðproblemsðð€and€was€not€an€available€resource€for€placement€of€the€children.€€No€Affidavit€ofÐ  p ÐReasonable€Efforts€was€filed€by€DCS€or,€if€one€was€filed,€it€is€not€contained€in€the€record€on€appeal.€Ð  \ ÐThe€Juvenile€Court€apparently€granted€the€petition€and€awarded€DCS€temporary€custody,€but€theÐ øH Ðorder€granting€the€petition€likewise€is€not€in€the€record.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€August€of€2000,€Mother€filed€a€Petition€seeking€custody€of€all€four€children.€€SheÐ ¼  Ðasserted€that€she€was€in€a€position€to€provide€proper€care€for€her€children.€€According€to€Mother,€sheÐ ¨ø Ðwas€remarried€and€living€in€a€three€bedroom€home.€€Mother€noted€that€she€was€receiving€a€SocialÐ ”ä ÐSecurity€disability€check€for€a€physical€disability,€not€a€mental€disability,€and€that€her€new€husbandÐ €Ð Ðwas€actively€employed€building€homes.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€May€11,€2001,€DCS€filed€a€motion€asking€the€Juvenile€Court€to€review€ð ðtheÐ D!” Ðnecessity€of€continued€foster€care,€the€appropriateness€of€the€placement,€the€extent€of€complianceÐ 0"€  Ðof€all€parties€with€the€terms€of€the€foster€care€plan,€the€extent€of€progress€made€in€achieving€the€goalÐ #l! Ðof€the€plan,€and€the€future€status€of€the€children.ðð€€DCS€also€filed€a€Notice€stating€the€review€wouldÐ $X" Ðbe€heard€by€the€Juvenile€Court€on€May€22,€2001.€€The€record€contains€no€information€regarding€whatÐ ô$D # Ðhappened€at€the€review,€or€if€it€even€happened.€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€next€document€in€the€record€is€a€combined€motion€and€order€dated€SeptemberÐ ¸'#& Ð5,€2001,€which€restored€full€legal€custody€of€the€two€oldest€children€to€their€father€on€a€ð ðtrial€homeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðplacementðð€effective€November€29,€2001.€€In€the€meantime,€DCS€filed€another€motion€requestingÐ )à$( Ðthat€the€Juvenile€Court€review€the€current€foster€care€situation€and€the€parentsðð€progress€inÐ |*Ì%) Ðcompleting€the€terms€of€their€permanency€plans.€€DCS€filed€a€Notice€saying€this€review€would€takeÐ h+¸&* Ðplace€on€September€12,€2001.€€Once€again,€the€record€contains€no€information€regarding€whatÐ ° Ðhappened€at€the€review€hearing,€assuming€it€even€took€place.Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€November€21,€2001,€the€Juvenile€Court€entered€an€Order€declaring€that€the€twoÐ tÄ Ðolder€children€continued€to€be€dependent.€€This€was€eight€days€before€custody€of€the€two€olderÐ `° Ðchildren€was€to€be€returned€to€the€father€per€the€September€5,€2001,€order.€€Custody€of€the€two€olderÐ L œ Ðchildren€never€was€returned€to€the€father€because€he€officially€surrendered€his€parental€rights€to€allÐ 8 ˆ Ðfour€children€on€November€14,€2001.€€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€February€25,€2002,€DCS€filed€another€motion€asking€the€Juvenile€Court€to€reviewÐ ü L  Ðð ðthe€necessity€of€continued€foster€care,€the€appropriateness€of€the€placement,€the€extent€ofÐ è 8  Ðcompliance€of€all€parties€with€the€terms€of€the€foster€care€plan,€the€extent€of€progress€made€inÐ Ô$  Ðachieving€the€goal€of€the€plan,€and€the€future€status€of€the€child[ren].ðð€€A€guardian€ad€litem€wasÐ À  Ðappointed€on€the€childrenððs€behalf€on€February€27,€2002.€€One€month€later,€the€guardian€ad€litemÐ ¬ü  Ðfiled€a€report€with€the€Juvenile€Court€recommending,€among€other€things,€that€the€children€remainÐ ˜è  Ðin€foster€care€at€least€until€Mother€completed€the€terms€of€her€permanency€plan.€€On€March€27,€2002,Ð „Ô  Ðthe€Juvenile€Court€conducted€a€hearing€to€review€the€status€of€the€foster€care€placement€and€MotherððsÐ pÀ Ðcompliance€with€the€terms€of€the€permanency€plan.€€Following€this€hearing,€the€Juvenile€CourtÐ \¬ Ðentered€an€Order€continuing€the€current€foster€care€placement€and€ordering€Mother€to€complete€theÐ H˜ Ðterms€of€the€permanency€plan€by€May€27,€2002.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àà ` à€The€next€pertinent€document€in€the€record€is€dated€October€21,€2002,€and€is€theÐ  \ Ðpetition€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€to€all€four€children.€€In€this€petition,€DCS€alleged,Ð øH Ðamong€other€things,€that:€€1)€the€children€had€been€removed€from€the€home€for€at€least€six€monthsÐ ä4 Ðand€the€conditions€which€led€to€their€removal€persisted;€2)€there€was€little€likelihood€that€theseÐ Ð  Ðconditions€would€be€remedied€at€an€early€date€which€would€permit€a€safe€return€of€the€children€toÐ ¼  ÐMother;€3)€Mother€was€unable€to€provide€a€suitable€home€for€the€children€and€had€made€noÐ ¨ø Ðreasonable€efforts€to€provide€a€suitable€home;€and€4)€continuation€of€the€parent/child€relationshipÐ ”ä Ðwould€greatly€diminish€the€childrenððs€chances€of€early€integration€into€a€safe,€stable€and€permanentÐ €Ð Ðhome.€€DCS€also€alleged€there€had€not€been€substantial€compliance€by€Mother€with€the€terms€ofÐ l¼ Ðð ðperiodic€foster€care€plansðð€or€permanency€plans.€€According€to€DCS,€Mother€had€willfullyÐ X ¨ Ðabandoned€the€children€by€failing€to€visit€or€engaging€only€in€token€visitation€with€them€and€byÐ D!” Ðrefusing€to€pay€child€support€for€more€than€four€consecutive€months€preceding€the€filing€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðpetition.€€Finally,€DCS€alleged€it€would€be€in€the€best€interests€of€the€children€for€Motherððs€parentalÐ #l! Ðrights€to€be€terminated.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€next€documents€in€the€record€pertain€to€the€fatherððs€November€14,€2001,Ð à%0!$ Ðsurrender€of€his€parental€rights€and€are€not€directly€pertinent€to€this€appeal.€€There€are€no€documentsÐ Ì&"% Ðin€the€record€pertaining€to€Mother€which€were€entered€between€the€time€DCS€filed€its€petition€toÐ ¸'#& Ðâ âterminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€on€October€21,€2002,€and€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€final€judgmentÐ ¤(ô#' Ðgranting€that€petition€on€January€28,€2004.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€In€its€final€judgment,€the€Juvenile€Court€held€there€wasÐ ° Ðâ âsufficient€evidence€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€on€three€grounds.€€Specifically,€the€JuvenileÐ œì ÐCourt€stated:€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[M]otherððs€lack€to€provide€a€suitable€home€and€demonstrated€lack€ofÐ `° Ðconcern€for€the€children€precluding€an€early€return€of€the€children€toÐ L œ Ðher€care,€conditions€which€led€to€the€removal€still€persist,€otherÐ 8 ˆ Ðconditions€persist€which€would€in€all€probability€cause€the€childrenÐ $ t Ðto€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€and€neglect€and€mother€has€failed€toÐ  ` Ðcomply€in€a€substantial€manner€with€the€permanency€plan.€€TheseÐ ü L  Ðgrounds€have€been€proven€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌThe€Juvenile€Court€also€held€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€termination€of€MotherððsÐ À  Ðparental€rights€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àà ` àMother€appeals€claiming€there€was€no€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€supportÐ „Ô  Ðterminating€her€parental€rights€on€any€of€the€three€grounds€relied€upon€by€the€Juvenile€Court.€Ð pÀ ÐMother€also€claims€there€was€no€clear€and€convincing€evidence€to€support€a€finding€that€terminationÐ \¬ Ðof€her€parental€rights€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€children.€€Mother€also€maintains€the€terminationÐ H˜ Ðof€her€parental€rights€must€be€reversed€because€DCS€did€not€exercise€reasonable€efforts€on€herÐ 4„ Ðbehalf.Ð  p ÐÌà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionó óóóˆÐ øH ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€factual€findings€of€the€Juvenile€Court€are€accorded€a€presumption€of€correctness,Ð Ð  Ðand€we€will€not€overturn€those€factual€findings€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€them.€€òòSeeóóÐ ¼  ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€òòBogan€v.€Boganóó,€60€S.W.3d€721,€727€(Tenn.€2001).€€With€respect€to€legalÐ ¨ø Ðissues,€our€review€is€conducted€ð ðunder€a€pure€òòde€novoóó€standard€of€review,€according€no€deferenceÐ ”ä Ðto€the€conclusions€of€law€made€by€the€lower€courts.ðð€€òòSouthern€Constructors,€Inc.€v.€Loudon€CountyÐ €Ð ÐBd.€Of€Educ.óó,€58€S.W.3d€706,€710€(Tenn.€2001).€€In€òòIn€re€Adoption€of€T.A.M.óó,€No.€M2003„02247„Ð l¼ ÐCOA„R3„PT,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€317€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€12,€2004),€òòno€appl€perm€appealÐ X ¨ Ðfiledóó,€this€Court€observed€that:Ð D!” ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àBecause€of€the€heightened€burden€of€proof€required€by€Tenn.Ð #l! ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€36-1-113(c),€we€must€adapt€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)'sÐ $X" Ðcustomary€standard€of€review€for€cases€of€this€sort.€€First,€we€mustÐ ô$D # Ðreview€the€trial€court's€specific€findings€of€fact€de€novo€in€accordanceÐ à%0!$ Ðwith€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€Thus,€each€of€the€trial€court's€specificÐ Ì&"% Ðfactual€findings€will€be€presumed€to€be€correct€unless€the€evidenceÐ ¸'#& Ðpreponderates€otherwise.€€Second,€we€must€determine€whether€theÐ ° Ðfacts,€either€as€found€by€the€trial€court€or€as€supported€by€theÐ œì Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence,€clearly€and€convincingly€establish€theÐ ˆØ Ðgrounds€for€terminating€the€biological€parent's€parental€rights.€€òòJonesÐ tÄ Ðv.€Garrettóó,€92€S.W.3d€at€838;€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€546;€òòRayÐ `° Ðv.€Rayóó,€83€S.W.3d€at€733;€òòIn€re€L.S.W.óó,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€659,Ð L œ ÐNo.€M2000-01935-COA-R3-JV,€2001€WL€1013079,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð 8 ˆ ÐApp.€Sept.€6,€2001),€òòperm.€app.€deniedóó€(Tenn.€Dec.€27,€2001).€Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌòòIn€re€Adoption€of€T.A.M.,óó€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€317,€at€**€8„9€(footnote€omitted).€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€òòDep't€of€Children's€Servs.€v.€D.G.S.L.óó,€this€Court€discussed€the€relevant€burden€ofÐ Ô$  Ðproof€in€cases€involving€termination€of€parental€rights.€€Specifically,€we€observed:Ð À  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIt€is€well€established€that€ð ðparents€have€a€fundamental€right€toÐ ˜è  Ðthe€care,€custody,€and€control€of€their€children.òò"€€In€re€Drinnonóó,€776Ð „Ô  ÐS.W.2d€96,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(citing€òòStanley€v.€Illinoisóó,€405Ð pÀ ÐU.S.€645,€92€S.€Ct.€1208,€31€L.€Ed.€2d€551€(1972)).€€"However,€thisÐ \¬ Ðright€is€not€absolute€and€parental€rights€may€be€terminated€if€there€isÐ H˜ Ðclear€and€convincing€evidence€justifying€such€termination€under€theÐ 4„ Ðapplicable€statute."€€òòId.óó€(citing€òòSantosky€v.€Krameróó,€455€U.S.€745,€102Ð  p ÐS.€Ct.€1388,€71€L.€Ed.€2d€599€(1982)).€Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àTermination€of€parental€or€guardianship€rights€must€be€basedÐ ä4 Ðupon€a€finding€by€the€court€that:€€(1)€the€grounds€for€termination€ofÐ Ð  Ðparental€or€guardianship€rights€have€been€established€by€clear€andÐ ¼  Ðconvincing€evidence;€and€(2)€termination€of€the€parent's€or€guardian'sÐ ¨ø Ðrights€is€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ”ä Ððð36-1-113(c).€€Before€a€parent's€rights€can€be€terminated,€it€must€beÐ €Ð Ðshown€that€the€parent€is€unfit€or€substantial€harm€to€the€child€willÐ l¼ Ðresult€if€parental€rights€are€not€terminated.€€òòIn€re€Swansonóó,€2€S.W.3dÐ X ¨ Ð180,€188€(Tenn.€1999);€òòIn€re€M.W.A.,€Jr.óó,€980€S.W.2d€620,€622Ð D!” Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€Similarly,€before€the€court€may€inquire€as€toÐ 0"€  Ðwhether€termination€of€parental€rights€is€in€the€best€interests€of€theÐ #l! Ðchild,€the€court€must€first€determine€that€the€grounds€for€terminationÐ $X" Ðhave€been€established€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€CodeÐ ô$D # ÐAnn.€ðð€36-1-113(c).ð8ð€€Ðà%0!$` x` x ÐÌòòDep't€of€Children's€Servs.€v.€D.G.S.L.óó,€No.€E2001-00742-COA-R3-JV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€941,Ð ¸'#& Ðat€**16-17€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€28,€2001),€òòno€appl.€perm.€appeal€filed.óóÐ ¤(ô#' Ðâ âÐ )à$( Ðà  àà ` àTermination€of€parental€rights€may€be€based€upon€a€number€of€statutory€grounds.€€TheÐ ° Ðstatutory€provisions€relied€upon€by€the€Juvenile€Court€provide€that€parental€rights€can€be€terminatedÐ œì Ðfor€the€following€reasons:€€Ð ˆØ Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Abandonment€by€the€parent€or€guardian,€a€defined€in€ðð€36„1„102,Ð `° Ðhas€occurred;ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€€There€has€been€substantial€noncompliance€by€the€parent€orÐ $ t Ðguardian€with€the€statement€of€responsibilities€in€a€permanency€planÐ  ` Ðor€a€plan€of€care€pursuant€to€the€provisions€of€title€37,€chapter€2,€partÐ ü L  Ð4;Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)(A)€€The€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent€orÐ À  Ðguardian€by€order€of€a€court€for€a€period€of€six€(6)€months€and:Ьü ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(i)€€The€conditions€which€led€to€the€child's€removal€or€otherÐ „Ô  Ðconditions€which€in€all€reasonable€probability€would€cause€the€childÐ pÀ Ðto€be€subjected€to€further€abuse€or€neglect€and€which,€therefore,Ð \¬ Ðprevent€the€child's€safe€return€to€the€care€of€the€parent(s)€orÐ H˜ Ðguardian(s),€still€persist;Ð4„` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(ii)€€There€is€little€likelihood€that€these€conditions€will€beÐ  \ Ðremedied€at€an€early€date€so€that€the€child€can€be€safely€returned€toÐ øH Ðthe€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€in€the€near€future;€andÐä4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(iii)€€The€continuation€of€the€parent€or€guardian€and€childÐ ¼  Ðrelationship€greatly€diminishes€the€child's€chances€of€early€integrationÐ ¨ø Ðinto€a€safe,€stable€and€permanent€home.Дä` x` x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€36-1-113(g)(1)€through€(g)(3)€(Supp.€2004).€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àAs€relevant€to€this€appeal,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(1)(A)(ii)€definesÐ D!” Ðabandonment€as€follows:Ð 0"€  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€child€has€been€removed€from€the€home€of€the€parent(s)€orÐ $X" Ðguardian(s)€as€the€result€of€a€petition€filed€in€the€juvenile€court€inÐ ô$D # Ðwhich€the€child€was€found€to€be€a€dependent€and€neglected€child,€asÐ à%0!$ Ðdefined€in€ðð€37-1-102,€and€the€child€was€placed€in€the€custody€of€theÐ Ì&"% Ðdepartment€or€a€licensed€child-placing€agency,€that€the€juvenile€courtÐ ¸'#& Ðfound,€or€the€court€where€the€termination€of€parental€rights€petitionÐ ¤(ô#' Ðis€filed€finds,€that€the€department€or€a€licensed€child-placing€agencyÐ )à$( Ðmade€reasonable€efforts€to€prevent€removal€of€the€child€or€that€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðcircumstances€of€the€child's€situation€prevented€reasonable€effortsÐ h+¸&* Ðfrom€being€made€prior€to€the€child's€removal;€and€for€a€period€of€fourÐ ° Ð(4)€months€following€the€removal,€the€department€or€agency€has€madeÐ œì Ðreasonable€efforts€to€assist€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€to€establish€aÐ ˆØ Ðsuitable€home€for€the€child,€but€that€the€parent(s)€or€guardian(s)€haveÐ tÄ Ðmade€no€reasonable€efforts€to€provide€a€suitable€home€and€haveÐ `° Ðdemonstrated€a€lack€of€concern€for€the€child€to€such€a€degree€that€itÐ L œ Ðappears€unlikely€that€they€will€be€able€to€provide€a€suitable€home€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€child€at€an€early€date.Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€the€present€case,€the€Juvenile€Court€found€there€was€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ ü L  Ðthat€the€statutory€grounds€for€termination€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€36-1-113(g)(1)€through€(g)(3)€hadÐ è 8  Ðbeen€met.€€Clear€and€convincing€evidence€supporting€any€single€ground€will€support€a€terminationÐ Ô$  Ðorder.€€òòSee€In€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€539,€546€(Tenn.€2002).€€Ð À  ÐÌà  àà ` àInitially,€we€note€that€there€were€at€least€two€permanency€plans€prepared€for€MotherÐ ˜è  Ðby€DCS€and€approved€by€the€Juvenile€Court.€€Generally,€permanency€plans€are€designed,€òòinter€aliaóó,Ð „Ô  Ðto€assist€the€parent€in€taking€the€necessary€steps€to€be€reunited€with€his€or€her€child€and€so€the€parentÐ pÀ Ðcan€provide€a€safe€environment€for€the€childððs€eventual€return.€€We€already€have€mentioned€theÐ \¬ Ðsignificant€lack€of€information€contained€in€the€record€on€appeal.€€In€addition€to€what€we€alreadyÐ H˜ Ðhave€noted,€and€much€to€this€Courtððs€consternation,€neither€of€the€permanency€plans€are€in€theÐ 4„ Ðrecord.€€Due€to€the€heightened€burden€of€proof€necessitated€by€the€constitutional€ramifications€ofÐ  p Ðforever€terminating€a€parentððs€rights€to€his€or€her€child,€we€believe€it€is€the€responsibility€of€DCS€toÐ  \ Ðensure€that€this€critical€information€is€contained€in€the€record€on€appeal.€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àà ` àOne€of€the€grounds€for€terminating€Motherððs€parental€rights€was€the€Juvenile€CourtððsÐ Ð  Ðfactual€conclusion€that€Mother€failed€to€substantially€comply€with€the€statement€of€responsibilitiesÐ ¼  Ðcontained€in€her€permanency€plans.€€In€its€final€judgment€the€Juvenile€Court€did€set€forth€many€ofÐ ¨ø Ðthe€requirements€contained€in€Motherððs€most€recent€permanency€plan.€€However,€without€the€abilityÐ ”ä Ðto€actually€review€all€the€requirements€of€the€permanency€plan€because€we€have€no€way€of€evenÐ €Ð Ðknowing€what€all€the€requirements€were,€we€cannot€and€will€not€affirm€the€conclusion€that€MotherÐ l¼ Ðfailed€to€substantially€comply€with€these€requirements€of€the€plan.€€Because€we€are€effectivelyÐ X ¨ Ðprecluded€from€reviewing€whether€Mother€did€or€did€not€substantially€comply€with€the€terms€of€herÐ D!” Ðpermanency€plan,€the€Juvenile€Courtððs€conclusion€that€she€did€not€must€be€reversed.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àà ` àPermanency€plans€typically€provide€this€Court€with€much€relevant€information,€or€atÐ $X" Ðleast€they€do€when€they€are€included€in€the€record.€€Not€only€do€the€plans€provide€this€Court€with€theÐ ô$D # Ðvarious€requirements€the€parent€must€complete€in€order€to€be€reunited€with€his€or€her€children,€butÐ à%0!$ Ðthey€usually€contain€information€on€assistance€that€has€been€provided€to€the€parent€by€DCS€with€theÐ Ì&"% Ðhope€of€enabling€the€parent€to€achieve€the€goal€of€reunification.€€One€of€Motherððs€claims€on€appealÐ ¸'#& Ðis€that€DCS€failed€to€provide€her€with€adequate€assistance€in€achieving€the€goal€of€reunification.€€Ð ¤(ô#' Ðâ âÐ )à$( Ðà  àà ` àIn€the€recent€case€of€òòIn€re€C.€LaC.€and€D.L.óó,€No.€M2003„02164„COA„R3„PT,€2004Ð ° ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€172€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€17,€2004),€òòno€appl.€perm.€appeal€filedóó,€this€CourtÐ œì Ðobserved€that:Ð ˆØ Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àBefore€we€evaluate€whether€there€is€sufficient€evidence€toÐ `° Ðestablish€the€grounds€for€termination,€we€must€ascertain€whether€theÐ L œ ÐDepartment€made€reasonable€efforts€to€prevent€the€need€for€removalÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€thereafter€to€return€the€children€safely€to€their€home€for€this€is€notÐ $ t Ða€case€where€reasonable€efforts€are€excused.€€Unless€remaining€withÐ  ` Ðthe€parent€exposes€the€children€to€substantial€risk€of€harm,€theÐ ü L  ÐDepartment€must€make€reasonable€efforts€to€prevent€the€need€forÐ è 8  Ðremoval€of€the€children€prior€to€separating€the€children€from€theÐ Ô$  Ðfamily,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37-1-166(a)(1),€and€thereafter€to€return€theÐ À  Ðchildren€to€their€home€unless€it€exposes€the€children€to€substantialÐ ¬ü  Ðharm.€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37-1-166(a)(2);€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ˜è  Ððð37-1-166(g)(2).Ð„Ô ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€Department€must€establish€by€clear€and€convincingÐ \¬ Ðevidence€that€it€made€reasonable€efforts€to€reunite€the€children€withÐ H˜ Ðthe€parent.€€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€546;€òòIn€re€C.M.M.€&Ð 4„ ÐS.D.M.óó,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€160,€No.€M2003„01122„COA„R3„Ð  p ÐPT,€2004€WL€at€*11,€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€March€9,€2004);€Tenn.€CodeÐ  \ ÐAnn.€ðð€36-1-113(c).€€This€burden€requires€that€the€Department€presentÐ øH Ðsufficient€evidence€to€enable€us€to€conclude,€without€serious€orÐ ä4 Ðsubstantial€doubt,€that€the€efforts€were€reasonable€under€theÐ Ð  Ðcircumstances.€€òòIn€re€Valentineóó,€79€S.W.3d€at€546;€òòWalton€v.€Youngóó,Ð ¼  Ð950€S.W.2d€956,€960€(Tenn.€1997);€òòIn€re€C.D.B.óó,€37€S.W.3d€925,€927Ð ¨ø Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).Дä` x` x ÐÌòòIn€re€C.€LaC.€and€D.L.óó,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€172,€at€**€14„16.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€the€present€case,€the€Juvenile€Court€made€no€finding,€nor€is€it€alleged,€that€DCSÐ D!” Ðwas€excused€from€providing€reasonable€efforts€because€the€children€would€be€exposed€to€a€risk€ofÐ 0"€  Ðsubstantial€harm€if€they€were€reunited€with€Mother.€€This€conclusion€is€supported€by€the€expressÐ #l! Ðfinding€of€the€Juvenile€Court€that€ð ðDCS€case€managers€used€reasonable€efforts€in€assisting€motherÐ ° Ðin€the€reunification€process€until€the€time€of€the€termination€petition.ðð€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€òòIn€Re€C.M.M.€&€S.D.M.óó,€No.€M2003„01122„COA„R3„PT,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXISÐ tÄ Ð160€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€9,€2004),€òòno€appl.€perm€appeal€filedóó,€this€Court€noted€that€what€constitutesÐ `° Ðreasonable€efforts€will€vary€on€a€case„by„case€basis,€and€courts€should€consider,€among€other€things,Ð L œ Ðð ð(1)€the€reasons€for€separating€the€parent€from€his€or€her€child€or€children,€(2)€the€parent's€physicalÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€mental€abilities,€(3)€the€resources€available€to€the€parent,€(4)€the€parent's€efforts€to€remedy€theÐ $ t Ðconditions€that€required€the€separation,€(5)€the€resources€available€to€the€Department,€(6)€the€durationÐ  ` Ðof€the€parent's€remedial€efforts,€and€(7)€the€closeness€of€the€fit€between€the€conditions€that€led€to€theÐ ü L  Ðinitial€separation,€the€requirements€in€the€permanency€plan,€and€the€Department's€efforts.ðð€€2004Ð è 8  ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€160,€at€*26.€€We€went€on€to€add:Ð Ô$  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIn€many€circumstances,€the€success€of€a€parent's€remedialÐ ¬ü  Ðefforts€is€intertwined€with€the€efforts€of€the€Department's€staff€toÐ ˜è  Ðprovide€assistance€and€support.€€òòState€Dep't€of€Children's€Servs.€v.Ð „Ô  ÐDemarróó,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€569,€2003€WL€21946726,€at€*10.€Ð pÀ ÐReasonable€efforts€entail€more€than€simply€providing€parents€with€aÐ \¬ Ðlist€of€service€providers€and€sending€them€on€their€way.€€TheÐ H˜ ÐDepartment's€employees€must€use€their€superior€insight€and€trainingÐ 4„ Ðto€assist€parents€with€the€problems€the€Department€has€identified€inÐ  p Ðthe€permanency€plan,€whether€the€parents€ask€for€assistance€or€not.€Ð  \ ÐòòIn€re€D.V.V.óó,€2002€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€126,€2002€WL€225891,€at€*8.€Ð øH ÐHowever,€the€remedial€responsibility€does€not€rest€solely€on€theÐ ä4 ÐDepartment's€shoulders.€Parents€must€also€make€reasonable€efforts€toÐ Ð  Ðrehabilitate€themselves€and€to€remedy€the€conditions€that€requiredÐ ¼  Ðthem€to€be€separated€from€their€children.€€òòIn€re€R.C.Vóó.,€2002€Tenn.Ð ¨ø ÐApp.€LEXIS€811,€2002€WL€31730899,€at€*12.Дä` x` x ЀÌòòIn€Re€C.M.M.€&€S.D.M.óó,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€160,€at€**€27„28.€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àBefore€we€discuss€the€remaining€grounds€for€termination€of€Motherððs€parental€rights,Ð D!” Ðwe€will€review€the€trial€testimony€and€other€evidence€contained€in€the€record€regarding€theÐ 0"€  Ðreasonable€efforts€provided€by€DCS€case€managers.€€Carol€Maxey,€a€former€DCS€employee,€testifiedÐ #l! Ðat€trial€that€she€left€the€employment€of€DCS€in€December€of€2000.€€Maxey€testified€she€developedÐ $X" Ða€permanency€plan€on€Motherððs€behalf€and€went€over€that€plan€in€detail€with€Mother.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Maxey€statedÐ ô$D # Ðthat€she€informed€Mother€that€she€would€have€to€undergo€mental€health€counseling€and€that€she€(i.e.,Ð à%0!$ ÐMaxey)€made€appointments€for€Mother.€€By€the€time€of€trial€Maxey€had€not€seen€Motherððs€file€inÐ Ì&"% Ðthree€and€one„half€years€and€did€not€have€access€to€any€documentation€she€may€have€prepared€whileÐ ¸'#& Ðassisting€Mother.€€According€to€Maxey,€this€information€would€be€contained€in€the€DCS€file.€€NoneÐ ° Ðof€this€information€is€in€the€record€on€appeal.Ð œì ÐÌà  àà ` àLeanne€Holcomb€(ð ðHolcombðð)€was€the€DCS€case€manager€for€Mother€and€herÐ tÄ Ðchildren€from€May€1,€2002,€until€May€12,€2003.€€Holcomb€testified€she€made€several€appointmentsÐ `° Ðfor€counseling€on€Motherððs€behalf€and€went€over€the€terms€of€the€permanency€plan€with€Mother.€Ð L œ ÐHolcomb€testified€she€discussed€the€housing€situation€with€Mother.€€When€asked€if€she€discussedÐ 8 ˆ Ða€time€table€for€Mother€to€complete€the€necessary€changes€to€her€housing€situation,€Holcomb€statedÐ $ t Ðit€needed€to€be€done€as€soon€as€possible,€but€ð ðthat€was€kind€of€after€the€fact€to€me€when€I€got€the€caseÐ  ` Ðbecause€the€Judge€had€already€given€the€May€27òòthóó,€2002€deadline€so€really€they€were€past€theÐ ü L  Ðdeadline.ðð€€Holcomb€testified€she€discussed€with€Mother€what€needed€to€be€done€concerning€herÐ è 8  Ðcase,€but€she€never€sent€Mother€any€correspondence€explaining€in€writing€what€needed€to€be€done.€Ð Ô$  ÐWhen€questioned€further€about€what€reasonable€efforts€she€made€to€assist€Mother€in€obtainingÐ À  Ðsuitable€housing€for€the€children,€Holcomb€stated:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAt€the€point€when€I€got€the€case€the€kids€had€been€in€custody€Ð „Ô  Ðfor€five€years€and€when€I€got€the€case€we€were€already€at€the€point€ofÐ pÀ Ðtermination,€so€I€feel€like€the€Department€did€make€reasonable€effortsÐ \¬ Ðto€try€to€help€this€family€and€help€her.€€Thereððs€only€so€much€we€canÐ H˜ Ðdo.ð8ð€€I€can€guide€her€and€give€her€instruction€on€what€she€needs€toÐ 4„ Ðdo,€but€I€donððt€hold€her€hand€to€have€her€do€it.€Ð p` x` x ÐÌà@$$(ìà*€*€*ˆÐ øH ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAt€the€time€that€I€got€the€case€I€was€instructed€by€Mr.€EidsonÐ Ð  Ðto€proceed€with€termination;€that€we€would€still€focus€on€theÐ ¼  ÐPermanency€Plan€that€was€there,€but€to€go€ahead€and€proceed€with€theÐ ¨ø Ðtermination€which€is€what€I€did.€€I€continued€to€have€the€visits€withÐ ”ä Ð[Mother],€did€the€home€visits,€tried€to€help€them€get€the€testing€doneÐ €Ð Ðthat€needed€to€be€done.Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àJalana€Clingan€(ð ðClinganðð)€was€the€DCS€case€manager€assigned€to€this€case€followingÐ D!” ÐHolcombððs€departure.€€When€Clingan€was€assigned€this€case€in€June€of€2003,€the€petition€toÐ 0"€  Ðterminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€already€had€been€filed.€€When€Clingan€was€asked€what€reasonableÐ #l! Ðefforts€she€made€to€reunite€Mother€and€the€four€children,€Clingan€testified€she€supervised€the€hourlyÐ $X" Ðvisits€between€Mother€and€the€children.€€The€following€discussion€than€occurred€between€ClinganÐ ô$D # Ðand€the€guardian€ad€litem:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.à ¸ àOkay.€€And€you€testified€earlier€that€you€really€havenððt€madeÐ ¸'#& Ðany€efforts€for€reunification?Ф(ô#'` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.à0¸ ` x` xàNo.Ð|*Ì%)¸ x¸ x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.à ¸ àAnd€will€you€explain€to€the€Court€why€that€is?а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.à ¸ àIt€was€my€understanding€that€she€had€until€May€27òòthóó€of€2002Ð ˆØ Ðto€complete€the,€her€goals€on€the€Perm€Plan.€€So€when€I€got€the€caseÐ tÄ ÐI€was€just€waiting€on€termination,€the€termination€date.Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.à ¸ àSo€are€you€saying€that€itððs€departmental€policy€that€after€thatÐ 8 ˆ Ðtime€period€has€lapsed€that€you€donððt€have€to€make€any€effortsÐ $ t Ðwhatsoever€towards€reunification€after€that€time€has€lapsed?Ð `` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.à ¸ àNo.€€Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€summary,€there€is€the€testimony€of€Maxey€who€developed€a€permanency€plan€andÐ À  Ðmade€one€or€more€appointments€for€Mother.€€This€covers€the€time€from€when€the€children€came€intoÐ ¬ü  ÐDCS€custody€up€until€December€of€2000.€€There€was€no€testimony€or€other€evidence€in€the€recordÐ ˜è  Ðregarding€any€reasonable€efforts€made€by€DCS€from€December€of€2000€until€Holcomb€was€assignedÐ „Ô  Ðto€the€case€in€May€of€2002.€€By€that€time,€however,€it€was€a€òòfait€accompli€óóthat€DCS€was€going€toÐ pÀ Ðseek€to€terminate€Motherððs€parental€rights€and€this€clearly€impacted€the€efforts€made€by€HolcombÐ \¬ Ðto€assist€Mother.€€It€is€for€this€very€same€reason€that€the€next€case€worker,€Clingan,€admittedly€madeÐ H˜ Ðvery€little,€if€any,€reasonable€effort€to€assist€Mother.€€In€all€fairness,€we€expect€that€DCS€may€haveÐ 4„ Ðmade€other€reasonable€efforts€to€assist€Mother€in€the€reunification€process.€€The€problem€again€fallsÐ  p Ðback€to€the€inadequacy€of€the€record€on€appeal.€€Were€we€to€have€the€permanency€plans€and€at€leastÐ  \ Ðsome€of€the€DCS€case€file€in€the€record,€or€testimony€from€the€case€manager€assigned€to€the€file€afterÐ øH ÐMaxey€and€before€Holcomb,€it€certainly€is€possible€that€we€would€conclude€that€the€evidence€wasÐ ä4 Ðclear€and€convincing€that€reasonable€efforts€had€been€made€by€DCS.€€However,€this€evidence€isÐ Ð  Ðmissing,€and€we€refuse€simply€to€assume€reasonable€efforts€were€taken€by€DCS€on€Motherððs€behalfÐ ¼  Ðwhen€such€a€fundamental€right€is€at€stake.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€acknowledge€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„166(g)(6)€specifically€provides€thatÐ €Ð Ðreasonable€efforts€to€place€a€child€for€adoption€can€be€made€concurrently€with€reasonable€efforts€to€Ð l¼ Ðmake€it€possible€for€a€child€to€safely€return€home.€€We€do€not€interpret€this€statutory€section€to€meanÐ X ¨ Ðthat€reasonable€efforts€to€return€the€child€safely€home€need€no€longer€be€made€once€DCS€makes€theÐ D!” Ðdecision€that€it€will€proceed€with€termination€proceedings€at€some€point€in€the€future.€€This€dualityÐ 0"€  Ðbehind€the€need€for€making€reasonable€efforts€may€account,€at€least€in€part,€for€Holcombððs€andÐ #l! ÐClinganððs€admittedly€lackluster€efforts€following€the€expiration€of€Motherððs€May€27,€2002€deadline.€Ð $X" ÐHowever,€this€also€makes€the€need€for€testimony€or€other€proof€of€reasonable€efforts€made€byÐ ô$D # ÐMotherððs€prior€case€managers€even€more€necessary.€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àà ` àHaving€an€adequate€record€on€appeal€is€critical€to€this€Court€to€enable€it€to€review€theÐ ¸'#& Ðjudgment€of€the€lower€court,€and€is€even€more€crucial€when€fundamental€constitutional€rights€are€atÐ ¤(ô#' Ðstake.€€Due€to€the€unfortunate€state€of€the€record€in€the€present€case,€we€have€in€large€part€beenÐ )à$( Ðprecluded€from€effectively€reviewing€the€judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court.€€There€is€insufficientÐ |*Ì%) Ðevidence€before€us€to€conclude€that€DCS€proved€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€reasonableÐ h+¸&* Ðefforts€were€made€by€DCS€to€assist€Mother€to€reunite€with€her€children.€€Accordingly,€the€judgmentÐ ° Ðof€the€Juvenile€Court€is€reversed€and€the€remaining€issues€are€pretermitted.€€On€remand,€DCS€isÐ œì Ðinstructed€to€develop€a€new€permanency€plan€consistent€with€the€childrenððs€and€Motherððs€currentÐ ˆØ Ðsituation.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà@  %ìàò òòòConclusionó óóóˆÐ L œ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€Juvenile€Court€is€reversed,€and€this€cause€is€remanded€to€theÐ $ t ÐJuvenile€Court€for€further€proceedings€as€may€be€necessary,€if€any,€consistent€with€this€Opinion€andÐ  ` Ðfor€collection€of€the€costs€below.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€Appellee€State€ofÐ ü L  ÐTennessee,€Department€of€Childrenððs€Services.Ð è 8  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________________Ð 4„ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGE