an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...

Since SFY 1999 approximately 23,000 children have received FP/BP assessments. In SFY 2004 $11.5 million was expended on FP/BP assessments and $16 million was expended
on Wrap Around services to support FP/BP recommendations. The FP/BP Manual and the Georgia Family Conferencing Manual are a part of the 8 th quarterly report in the
Documentation Appendix.
3. Georgia far exceeded its goal of developing five visitation centers throughout the state. Currently, there are 25 Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) funded visitation
centers in Georgia. Additionally, the state supports the Georgia Presbytery efforts to establish visitation centers in their churches throughout the state. These centers, called "Safe
Havens for Children" have identified coordinators in respective Presbyteries who provide information and help to get the local church visitation center established. Mr. Billy
Payne, who spearheaded the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, is co-sponsoring this effort via the Georgia Presbytery.
4. To help improve the state's outcomes for child safety, permanence and well-being, significant policy and training revisions have occurred since the federal on-site review in July
2001. Social Services Manual Transmittal No. 03-01 was developed and released in April 2003 to specifically address "areas needing improvement" as outlined in the Federal
Final Report to Georgia. The policy includes instructions and good practice issues regarding family assessments; clarity on permanency planning options and the criteria for their
appropriate selection; expansion on the need for a closer working relationship with the parent of a child whose permanency plan (or concurrent plan) is reunification; new monthly
contact standards in the least restrictive environment to expedite permanency for children whose plan is TPR and place for adoption. A Termination Packet was developed and
released to the county departments and SAAGS. The policy incorporates the packet as an Addendum to the manual's Legal Services Section and provides required time frames for
completion and submission to the SAAG. Social Services Manual Transmittal No. 03-01 is a part of the 8 th quarterly reporting Documentation Appendix for Item 7, action step
D6.
5. Foster parents play a vital role in Georgia 's efforts to care for children. Central to these efforts is the partnership between the Division of Family and Children Services and
foster parents. The Foster Parent Bill of Rights, which was signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue on May 5, 2004 during Georgia’s recognition of National Foster Care
Month, strengthens this partnership and supports the work of foster parents. Georgia’s bill is a trailblazer; Georgia is one of only nine states with a codified Bill of Rights for its
foster parents. Georgia’s Bill of Rights officially became law on July 1, 2004. The twenty-three rights include issues such as non-discrimination, distribution and disclosure of
information, financial reimbursement and the right to have input into case planning for children. The Bill also provided that a new grievance procedure be established to address
any violations. The three-step process begins at the county level and proceeds if necessary to a state mediation committee consisting of representatives from DFCS, the Adoptive
and Foster Parent Association of Georgia and the Office of the Child Advocate.
KEY PIP RESULTS RELATING TO SAFETY, PERMANENCY, AND WELL BEING
Safety Outcome 1, Children are First and Foremost Protected from Abuse and Neglect
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 – Table of Contents Page ii