37-3-703 - Healthy start pilot project established Objectives Evaluation Required disclosures. - Tennessee Statutes

37-3-703. Healthy start pilot project established Objectives Evaluation Required disclosures.

(a)  The state of Tennessee shall develop, coordinate, and implement a healthy start pilot project within ten (10) or more counties of the state. The healthy start pilot project shall be based upon the nationally recognized model, shall focus on home visitation and counseling services, and shall improve family functioning and eliminate abuse and neglect of infants and young children within families identified as high risk. Healthy start services for participating families shall extend at least through a child's first three (3) years of life. However, family participation shall be voluntary; and, if a family refuses healthy start services, then such refusal shall not be admissible in evidence for any subsequent cause of action.

(b)  Healthy start pilot projects shall ensure that:

     (1)  Families are educated about child health and child development;

     (2)  Families receive services to meet child health and development needs;

     (3)  Families receive services as identified and prioritized by the family and the project; and

     (4)  Services focus on empowering the family and strengthening life-coping and parenting skills.

(c)  Specific objectives for healthy start pilot projects shall include that:

     (1)  Family stress is reduced and family functioning is improved;

     (2)  All of the children receive immunizations by two (2) years of age;

     (3)  All of the children receive developmental screening and follow-up services;

     (4)  All of the children are free from abuse and neglect; and

     (5)  Mothers are enrolled in prenatal care by the end of the first trimester of any subsequent pregnancy.

(d)  The state of Tennessee shall conduct ongoing evaluations of the healthy start pilot project and shall file a joint report, on or before December 31 of each year, with the governor, the chair of the general welfare, health and human resources committee of the senate, the chair of the health and human resources committee of the house of representatives, and the chair of the select committee on children and youth. All state agencies that provide services to children shall make available nonidentifying information about healthy start participants for the purpose of conducting the evaluation. The report shall include the following information for the preceding fiscal year:

     (1)  The number of families receiving services through the pilot project;

     (2)  The number of children at risk of abuse and neglect prior to initiative of service to families participating in the pilot project;

     (3)  Among those children identified in subdivision (2), the number of children who have been the subjects of abuse and neglect reports;

     (4)  The average cost of services provided under the pilot project;

     (5)  The estimated cost of out-of-home placement, through foster care, group homes or other facilities, that reasonably would have otherwise been expended on behalf of children who successfully remain united with their families as a direct result of the project, based on average lengths of stay and average costs of such out-of-home placements;

     (6)  The number of children who remain unified with their families and free from abuse and neglect for one (1), two (2), three (3), and four (4) years, respectively, while receiving project services; and

     (7)  An overall statement of the achievements and progress of the pilot project during the preceding fiscal year, along with recommendations for improvement or expansion.

(e)  (1)  When offering healthy start services to a family, the state or its contractor shall provide that family with a written statement and oral explanation. Both the statement and explanation shall describe the following information:

          (A)  The purpose of the healthy start project;

          (B)  Project services that may be offered;

          (C)  The voluntary nature of participation and the family's right to decline services at any time;

          (D)  The project records to be maintained with respect to participating families; and

          (E)  The family's right to review project records pertaining to that family.

     (2)  After providing the oral explanation, the state or its contractor shall, on the written statement, obtain signed consent from the parents or caretakers of a child. The parents or caretakers shall receive a copy of the signed statement and a copy will be maintained in the family's record.

     (3)  Each participating family shall have the right to review project records pertaining to that family. The state or its contractor shall make such record available for review during regular office hours.

[Acts 1994, ch. 974, § 3; 1995, ch. 538, § 1.]