. Presentation to: Board of the Department of Human Services Presenters:Harold Johnson, Office of General Counsel Date:June 17, 2015 Georgia Department of Human Services Chapter Consumer Reports (Credit Reports) to be Obtained for Youth in Foster Care.

Vision, Mission and Core Values Vision Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. Mission Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults. Core Values Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and their families. Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect. Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency. Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer. Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.

PL Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act [Section 113 (b) (2) (B)] Amended 42 USC Section 675 (5) (I) September 29, 2015

Requirements Two-Fold: –Provide a credit report to youth in Foster Care annually. –Assist youth with interpreting the report and correcting any inaccuracies in the report.

Requirements Previously, the Department was asked to provide this report to youth who had obtained 16 years of age… The amendment now requires that this report and assistance be provided to youth who have obtained 14 years of age.

)In order to comply with Section 106(b) of the federal Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (P. L ), Section 475(5)(I) of Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.A. Section 675(5)(I), as amended, and to meet the requirements for the receipt of federal funds under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, the Department is authorized to obtain for each child in foster care under the responsibility of the state, who has attained sixteen (16) fourteen (14) years of age, a copy of any consumer report (as defined in Section 603(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USCS Section 1681a(d)), pertaining to the child each year until the child is discharged from the custody of the Department. The Department shall obtain such consumer reports as are required by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to receive federal funds under title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Each consumer report is to be provided without cost to the child. 2)Pursuant to its policies and procedures, the Department shall further ensure that each child in foster care under the responsibility of the state and who has attained sixteen (16) fourteen (14) years of age receives assistance (including, but not limited to, any court-appointed advocate for the child) in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies in the report.

Outcome The Department will now have the opportunity to begin credit monitoring for our youth at an earlier stage and will be afforded the opportunity to assist youth with resolving any inaccuracies on their credit reports at an earlier time.

Cost? Adoption of these rule amendments do not impose excessive regulatory cost on any client and any cost to comply with the proposed amendment cannot be reduced by a less expensive alternative that fully accomplishes the duties required by Section 475(5)(I) of Title IV-E of the Social Security Act.

Questions? Harold Johnson, Interim General Counsel (404) Office of General Counsel 2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303