Services and Services and Resources Available Resources Available

for for Families & Children Families & Children

Georgia Department of Human Georgia Department of Human ResourcesResources

Division of Family & Children Division of Family & Children ServicesServices

County DFCS159 counties

Child WelfareOffice of FamilyIndependence

Additional Social Services

Child Protective Services Child Protective Services ProcessProcess

IntakeInvestigationsOn-Going

Protective Services

Foster Care Adoption

Legal Basis for Child Protective Legal Basis for Child Protective Services, Foster Care & Services, Foster Care &

AdoptionAdoption

1963 – The Children and Youth Act authorized and empowered the Division of Family & Children Services to provide protective services to children. Protective services will investigate complaints of abuse, neglect or abandonment of children and youth by parents, guardians, custodians or caregivers.

Legal Basis (Federal Laws)Legal Basis (Federal Laws)Foster care and AdoptionFoster care and Adoption

Social Security Act, Title XX, Social Services Block Grant Act

1973 – P.L. 95-608 - Indian Child Welfare Act

1980 – P.L. 96-272 – Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act

1994 – (MEPA/IEPA) - The Multiethnic Placement Act

1997 – P.L. 105-89 –(ASFA) – Adoption and Safe Families Act

Legal Basis (State)Legal Basis (State)Foster Care and AdoptionFoster Care and Adoption

Children and Youth Act – Chapter 49-5 of the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.)

Juvenile Court Code of Georgia – Chapter 15-11 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.)

Adoption of Children – Chapter 19-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.)

Flow Chart for Child Flow Chart for Child Abuse/Neglect CasesAbuse/Neglect Cases

Child Welfare

Intake On-Going CPS Foster Care Investigation

Diversion

Early Intervention

Adoption

DFCS Social Services DFCS Social Services Program AreasProgram Areas

• Child Protective Services– Intake – accepts reported cases of

suspected cases of child abuse/neglect. Child safety assessment begins at intake

– Diversion – an early intervention program that works to resolve problems within a family, refers families to community resources, assess safety, time-limited support services, prevention measures to keep children from coming into foster care

• CPS (cont.)– Investigations – investigates reported

cases of child abuse/neglect. If substantiated the case is carefully rated for risk to the children

– On-going Protective Services – works with the families to reduce the risk to the children, connects families with community resources, supervises parents ability to improve skills to care for their children

• Foster Care – temporarily provides homes for children whose family are not willing or able to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children

• Adoption – services that develops, promotes and support quality permanent homes for children when they can not return to their family of origin

• Independent Living Program – a transition program that prepares teens ages 14-21 for independence and adulthood. Some children are free for adoption and have decided not to be adopted, some are in foster care and not yet able to return to their family of origin

• Foster Care – temporarily provides homes for children whose family are not willing or able to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children

• Adoption – services that develops, promotes and support quality permanent homes for children when they can not return to their family of origin

• Independent Living Program – a transition program that prepares teens ages 14-21 for independence and adulthood. Some children are free for adoption and have decided not to be adopted, some are in foster care and not yet able to return to their family of origin

IntakeIntake• Diversion: Short term, community

based DFCS response to a family issue where the situation does not call for a full investigation. Does not rise to the standards of a CPS referral.

• Early Intervention: Family is referred to community based program for services.

Investigations and On-Going Investigations and On-Going Child Protective ServicesChild Protective Services

• Services:– Safety Resources– PUP– Parent Aide– Homestead– Child Care Services– Psychological Testing– Counseling– Drug Screens, Assessment & Treatment– Family Service Worker Services

Intake

Investigation

Unsubstantiated & Close

Substantiate &Open for CPS

Substantiate &Remove Child

Petition JuvenileCourt for Custody

Place child in Foster Care

Work reunificationPlan w/Parents

Foster CareFoster Care(ASFA Defines Permanency)(ASFA Defines Permanency)

• Reunification• Adoption• Guardianship• Live with a fit & willing relative• Other planned living arrangement

Foster CareFoster Care• Services:

– Family Team Meetings– (CCFA) Comprehensive Child & Family

Assessment – formerly known as First Placement/Best Placement

– (MDT) Multi Disciplinary Team– Relative Placement Funding Program– Case Plans and Case Reviews

Foster Care Services (cont.)Foster Care Services (cont.)• Visitation between parents and

children as well as sibling visits• Counseling/Therapy• Drug Assessment, Screening and

Treatment• Medicaid for all children in foster

care• Clothing for all children in foster care• Placement services for children

Placement ServicesPlacement Services• DFCS Foster Homes• Private agency foster homes• Therapeutic/Specialized Foster

Homes• Group Homes• Outdoor Therapeutic Programs• Intensive Treatment Facilities• Hospitals, Psychiatric Institutions

Placement with RelativesPlacement with Relatives• Relative Foster Parents’• Relative Care Subsidy• Enhanced Relative Care Subsidy• TANF (Temporary Assistance to

Needy Families• Food Stamps• Medicaid • ICPC services

Adoption ServicesAdoption Services• If it is determined that parents are

unable or unwilling to care for their children – and parents have failed to comply with a court ordered case plan to reunite them with their children - a petition for the termination of parental rights is filed.

• If grounds for TPR exist – children will become free for adoption.

Adoption ServicesAdoption Services• The Department of Family & Children

Services are required by law to recruit families for waiting children.

• Children with special needs are defined as:– African American children age 1 & older– Three or more siblings being placed together– All children in foster care over 8– Children with documented physical, emotional

or mental disabilities

Independent Living ServicesIndependent Living Services• Services are provided to children

after the age of 18 if children continue in an educational setting.

• Youth may voluntarily sign themselves into foster care and remain in care until they complete their independent living goals.

Birth Parent’s Birth Parent’s ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

• Participate in the development of their case plan• Work with the county department in alleviating the risk

factors that led to the removal of the children from their home

• Visit with the children regularly• Inform the county of any major life changes• Participate actively in planning for the child by attending

case reviews and other meetings as requested by the department

• Pay child support on behalf of their child in foster care • Work with the county department on developing a

permanent plan for their child to have a home intended to last for ever.

DFCS and Birth Parents DFCS and Birth Parents ResponsibilityResponsibility

• DFCS staffAssist the parent in understanding

the seriousness of foster care placement of their child

Assist the parent to understand the need for permanency within 12 months

Openly & honestly inform the parents that parental rights could be terminated is reunification does to occur timely

Update information Participate with parents in

developing their case plan

Assist the parent in alleviating the risk factors which necessitated the foster care placement

Arrange regular visits between the parents and the child

Share information with the parents about the child’s experience during placement

Support birth parents is working towards permanency goals for their children