Shelby County Board of Education
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Procedure 6103
August 28, 2003
Edited June 30, 2005

Return to Policy 6103


Power of Attorney for Childcare


In compliance with T.C.A. §34-6-302, parents of a minor child may delegate to any adult person residing in this state temporary caregiving authority when hardship prevents the parent(s) from caring for the child.

Hardships identified are:
  1. The serious illness or incarceration of a parent or legal guardian;
  2. The physical or mental condition of the parent or legal guardian is such that care and supervision cannot be provided;
  3. The loss of uninhabitability of the child's home as the result of a natural disaster.
When one of the above hardships is applicable:
The custodial parent(s) and the caregiver must make an appointment to meet with Student Services personnel in order to complete the application for Power of Attorney. If this is not possible, the Director of Student Services must be contacted regarding this difficulty and to make the necessary arrangements to receive the required documentation.

During the meeting with Student Services personnel, the custodial parent(s)/guardian and the caregiver must provide:
  1. Proof of their identity. Copies of this proof and documents related to this request will be made and included in the file that will remain in Student Services. Verification of hardship will be required no less than yearly.
  2. Child's Birth certificate and/or in cases where prior custody arrangements have been made, legal documentation of custody.
  3. Verification documents relative to the claim of hardship. These documents will be reviewed by Student Services personnel.
  4. Proof of residence required for all Shelby County Schools students. This must be submitted by the caregiver.
Hardships not listed should be reviewed relative to custody changes by Juvenile Court.