TCA § 37-5-204 — Education — Character development — Work programs

The superintendents of such centers shall have the authority, subject to the approval of the commissioner of children's services, to introduce any branch of educational pursuit that they may deem to be in the best interest of the children, and they shall use their utmost efforts for the moral, physical and mental development of the children, so that they may be molded into good men and women and useful citizens. Any superintendent may, subject to the approval of the commissioner, establish a work opportunity program for children sixteen (16) years of age or older. The superintendent shall, before any child is permitted to take employment, ensure that the prospective employment meets all requirements of the department of labor and workforce development pertaining to the employment of children. The superintendent will ascertain the availability of transportation to and from the place of work and the cooperation of the employer or supervisors with supervision requirements. Hours of release for involvement of the work opportunity program will be the responsibility of the superintendent in keeping with departmental consideration for the good of the child and the welfare of the department. All moneys earned by the child in the work opportunity program shall be posted to the child's trust fund account. Expenditures under this program from the child's earnings should be limited to transportation, special clothing, tools or lunch and other casual expenses with the approval of the superintendent.