Children's Services, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the commissioner to develop a statewide quality assurance program to ensure quality control through monitoring, evaluation, and feedback on the performance of the best practices in the service delivery system and utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data in outcomes-based approaches at the regional level. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 5.

HB 1966 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to create a statewide, county-level quality assurance program by July 2027. The program must measure outcomes like child safety, permanency, and well-being - not just compliance - with each county needing a dedicated quality assurance coordinator. The commissioner must publish annual county performance grades online and submit quarterly progress reports to lawmakers starting in 2026. This directly affects county child welfare offices and the state department by shifting focus from procedural checks to data-driven service improvements.