Poverty is not neglect: Tennessee moves to reunite and protect families

A new Tennessee law specifies parental rights cannot be terminated solely because of economic disadvantage. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

“Child protective services should focus on providing resources that families actually need rather than punishing families for being poor,” I said. “Raise your hand if you agree.” 

As I looked over the room of training attendees at Healthy and Free Tennessee’s Day on the Hill in March, I watched dozens of hands, all of them, rise. The answer felt obvious — undeniable even. And yet, until now, Tennessee law did not reflect that truth. That moment — surrounded by parents, advocates and community members — it was clear: we weren’t just agreeing on a statement — we were standing together in a demand for justice. That shared clarity is what powered our movement forward. And now, that vision is becoming reality.

Healthy and Free Tennessee is an organization growing the movement for reproductive justice across race, class and gender by bringing new people into the movement, developing skills and capacities and building connections across organizations and sectors. Our work is to improve and expand access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare resources and services while fighting the growing trend of criminalizing pregnancy outcomes. This includes the increased surveillance, regulation and punishment of financially struggling parents and parents of color by both state and societal institutions. 

Last month, we recognized June as the inaugural Stolen Children’s Month, a month to honor the children who have been stolen from their families and communities via the family policing system and the parents and caregivers who are fighting to reunite and heal with their children. At the same time, Tennessee took a critical step to ensure that families are not separated due to economic disadvantage. 

I led the grassroots advocacy that led to the passage of Senate Bill 0560/House Bill 0347. The measure  clarifies that poverty alone does not constitute child neglect, a long-overdue correction to a system that has disproportionately penalized low-income families. 

For too long, injustice has torn apart families who love and care for their children but need material resources . With this new law, Tennessee is prioritizing family preservation over harmful separations, creating a future where children can remain safely with their parents while families receive the support  they need to thrive.

A step forward for Tennessee families

Struggling to make ends meet is not the same as willfully neglecting a child’s needs. However, the child welfare, or family policing, system has not differentiated between the two. Poverty has never been the same as neglect, yet the child welfare system has often treated it as such. Families struggling with economic hardship have been disproportionately surveilled and penalized, with Black, Indigenous, and low-income parents facing the highest rates of child welfare involvement. The passage of SB0560/HB0347 ensures that the state’s response to families in need will be support-based rather than punitive, shifting focus toward strengthening families rather than tearing them apart.

Why this change matters

Removing a child from their home due to financial hardship is not only unjust—it is harmful. Family separation has lifelong consequences for children, including emotional trauma, academic setbacks and increased risk of entering the juvenile justice system. Studies have shown that the best place for a child – whenever safe and possible – is with their family.

Now that SB0560/HB0347 has passed, Tennessee must ensure that this law is effectively implemented, meaning that judges, caseworkers, and mandatory reporters fully understand and apply the new standard. This policy change is a victory, but our work is not finished until we see a significant decline in removals and more families receiving the support they need to stay together.

Looking ahead

This change is a major milestone, but the journey toward justice continues. It opens up opportunities for deeper public education, stronger legal advocacy and more equitable support for families experiencing poverty. At its heart, this law affirms a simple truth: families deserve to be supported, not punished, when they are doing their best with limited means.

By recognizing and addressing the root causes of family separation, Tennessee has taken an important step. The focus now turns to how this vision can be fully realized — through community engagement, education, and continued accountability.

No family should face separation simply because of their income. With this step forward, we edge closer to a Tennessee where every child can grow up in a safe, loving home — and every family has the dignity, resources, and respect they deserve.