Services and Resources Available for Families & Children

Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Family & Children Services

Child Protective Services Process  Intake  Investigations  On-Going Protective Services  Foster Care  Adoption

Legal Basis for Child Protective Services, Foster Care & Adoption  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) Foster care and Adoption  Social Security Act, Title XX, Social Services Block Grant Act  1973 – P.L Indian Child Welfare Act  1980 – P.L – Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act  1994 – (MEPA/IEPA) - The Multiethnic Placement Act  1997 – P.L –(ASFA) – Adoption and Safe Families Act

Legal Basis (State) Foster 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 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 Abuse/Neglect Cases

DFCS Social Services Program 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 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 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

Intake 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 Child 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 Juvenile Court for Custody Place child in Foster Care Work reunification Plan w/Parents

Foster Care (ASFA Defines Permanency) Reunification Adoption Guardianship Live with a fit & willing relative Other planned living arrangement

Foster 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.) 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 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 Relatives Relative Foster Parents’ Relative Care Subsidy Enhanced Relative Care Subsidy TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Food Stamps Medicaid ICPC services

Adoption 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 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 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 Responsibilities 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 Responsibility DFCS staff Assist 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