REQUIREMENTS

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) shall: 

1. Through service provision, support reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of children from their home, reunify children with their families, promote permanency, preserve and support placements, and prepare youth for self-sufficiency and successful adulthood (see policy 9.5 Eligibility: Reasonable Efforts). 

   NOTE: Service provision also supports active efforts for children subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act in accordance with policy 1.6 Administration: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Transfer of Responsibility for Placement and Care to a Tribal Agency.  

2. Ensure effective service provision for parents, children, youth and caregivers (foster or adoptive, voluntary and foster care kinship) meets the following criteria: 
   1. Focused on the family as a whole. 
   2. Service providers partner with families in identifying and meeting individual and family needs. 
   3. Promote the healthy development of children and youth. 
   4. Family strengths are identified, enhanced, respected, and mobilized to help families solve the problems which compromise their functioning and well-being. 
   5. Timely, flexible, coordinated, and accessible to families and individuals, primarily delivered in the home or the community. 
   6. Delivered in a manner that is respectful of and builds on the strengths of the cultural groups; 
   7. Organized as a continuum, designed to achieve measurable outcomes, and are linked to a wide variety of supports and services. 
   8. Intensive enough and of sufficient duration to keep children safe and meet the family’s needs.
3. Maintain and update, at least annually, a Directory of Services available within the community, county and if needed, within commuting distance of the county office (see Practice Guidance: Community Resource Directory for guidelines for the development). 
4. Provide or arrange for individualized services based on the developmental challenges the family is experiencing in their everyday life. Consider the following when determining the most appropriate services for families: 
   1. The present danger situations or impending danger safety threats that need to be controlled or eliminated. 
   2. The caregiver protective capacities that need to be strengthened. 
   3. The specific needs of the child. 
   4. Whether services are trauma informed (see Practice Guidance: Trauma Informed Services). 
   5. The cultural needs of the family (see Practice Guidance: Cultural Competence in Service Provision), including whether specific services are needed for limited English proficient (LEP) or auxiliary aids for sensory impaired individuals in accordance with policy 1.4 Administration: Non-Discriminatory Child Welfare Practices. 
   6. Any court ordered services, and the specific requirements and timeframes for initiation and completion. 
   7. Whether reasonable accommodations are needed in accordance with policy 1.5 Administration: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 and Reasonable Modifications. 
   8. How the family will access the services (location, hours of operations, etc.).
5. . Refer the family to formal and/or informal service providers to address safety, permanency and well-being, within the following timeframes: 
   1. Within five business days of the identification of the need. 
   2. Within one business day of the identification of the need, in an emergency.  
   3. Within 72 hours of the identification of the need when the family has entered into voluntary kinship arrangement. 
6. Document in the family plan and/or case plan service provision to prevent removal, reunify the family and/or address the needs of a child in foster care. 
7. Work in collaboration with service providers, including requesting their participation in Family Team Meetings (FTMs). 

8. Engage at least monthly family and service providers to assess the sufficiency of formal/informal services to control safety threats (safety plan) and progress toward meeting case plan or family plan outcomes. Maintain consensus with families around the need for service provision. 

   EXCEPTION: Engage formal and informal providers at a minimum bi-weekly, when the family has entered into a voluntary kinship arrangement. 

9. Obtain and review all service notes/reports. Document a summarized review of the notes/reports in the Contact Narrative in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of the receipt and upload to External Documentation. 
10. Avoid changing service providers unless it is necessary.
11. Notify service providers, in advance when possible, whenever there is a change in the Social Services Case Manager (SSCM) assigned to a family to ensure continuity in the provision of services.  
12. Refer youth to the Education Programming Assessment and Consultation (EPAC) unit, for cases involving an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth. 
13. Refer any child suspected of being a victim of sexual exploitation or trafficking to an available victim assistance organization, as certified by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to provide comprehensive trauma-informed services including, but not limited to:
    1. Assistance with case management  
    2. Placement 

    3. Access to educational, legal, and mental health services 

       See Forms and Tools: Human Trafficking Case Management Statewide Protocol

14. Refer the mother of an infant identified as being affected by prenatal exposure due to allegations of prenatal abuse to Women’s Treatment and Recovery Services (WTRS) for a substance use disorder assessment, within five business days of the receipt of the intake report or any subsequent notification by the healthcare provider that the infant was affected by prenatal drug exposure (see policy 19.27 Case Management: Plan of Safe Care for Infants Prenatally Exposed to Substances or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)). See Practice Guidance: Women Treatment and Recovery Services (WTRS) – For Cases Involving Prenatal Abuse 

    NOTE: If a WTRS provider is not available, refer the mother to another provider to conduct the substance use disorder assessment. 

15. Document all contacts with service providers or direct service provision in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of occurrence.

PROCEDURES

Implementing Services 

The SSCM will: 

1. Identify service needs jointly with the family: 
   1. Services may assist the family in achieving their family level outcomes (FLO). 
   2. Services may assist the individual in achieving their Individual level outcomes (ILO). 
   3. Needs of the children that may require services. 
   4. Timeframes for initiating services to address child safety and wellbeing. 
   5. Trauma informed services needed. 
   6. Reasonable accommodations needed. 
   7. Language services required. 
   8. Court ordered services, including: 
      1. The family’s understanding of services ordered; 
      2. Timeframes ordered for service completion; 
      3. Expectations around service compliance and participation; and 
      4. Possible consequences for not complying or completing ordered services. 
   9. The roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the family, service providers and DFCS in service provision. 
2. Partner with the family to locate service providers that can address the identified needs, using the following preference requirements: 
   1. Community-based service providers. 
   2. Service providers contracted through DFCS. See Practice Guidance: Services to Address Family Needs. 
3. Complete an Authorization for Release of Information with the caregiver(s) to share and/or obtain information regarding service provision as applicable.  
4. Document service provision in the: 
   1. Family plan: 
      1. A description of the services offered and provided to prevent removal of the child from the home. 
   2. Foster care case plan: 
      1. A description of the services offered and provided to prevent removal of the child, reunify the family and/or help the youth (14 years of age or older) prepare for the transition from foster care to a successful adulthood;
      2. Services provided to the parent/guardian/legal custodian, child, and placement resource to improve the conditions in the removal home to facilitate the child's safe return or permanent placement; 
      3. Services provided to the child and placement provider to address the needs of the child while in foster care; 
      4. The appropriateness of the services provided to the child and the date time-limited services will be terminated; and 
      5. A discussion of services that have been investigated and considered and are not available or likely to become available within a reasonable time to meet the needs of the child or if available, why such services are not safe or appropriate.
5. Invite service providers involved in assisting the family with meeting case or family plan outcomes to the FTM. 
6. Schedule a face-to-face or telephone contact with the provider to: 
   1. Discuss the specific services needed to address family or individual level outcomes (FLO or ILO). 
   2. Set clear expectations for the service provision. 
   3. Clarify any gaps or answer any questions providers may have prior to meeting the family. 
   4. Obtain the name and contact information of the individual(s) who will be providing services to the family. 
   5. Provide information regarding the child’s location (foster care or kinship caregiver arrangement). 
   6. Discuss expected service outcomes and timelines for provision of services. 
7. Use a “warm handoff” when referring a family to a service provider, whenever possible (see Practice Guidance: Warm Handoff).

The Social Services Supervisor (SSS) will: 

1. Ensure service needs are identified jointly with the family. 
2. Ensure the services identified meet the individualized needs of the family. 
3. Prioritize the use of community or in-home services when appropriate and available. 
4. Ensure the written case plan includes a description and discussion of the services offered and implemented to address the needs of the parent/guardian/legal custodian, child and caregivers (foster or adoptive, voluntary and foster care kinship). 
5. Upon initiation of service provision ensure a consult occurs with service providers. 
6. Ensure service providers involved with the family are invited to the FTM. 
7. Provide guidance to SSCM on cases where service implementation may be challenging due to availability or accessibility. 
8. Ensure a “warm handoff” is conducted when referring a family to a service provider, whenever possible.

Monitoring Service Provision 

The SCCM will: 

1. Engage providers via face-to-face, telephone or email in a discussion regarding services at least monthly or more frequently as required:
   1. The family’s engagement in services (i.e. attendance, preparedness, communication and response). 
   2. Verifying the services remain case specific and focused to meet the family’s case plan outcomes. 
   3. Progress towards FLOs and ILOs. 
   4. Any observed safety threats. 
   5. Share any relevant information that may aid in engaging or supporting the family. 
   6. Share progress the family has made. 
   7. The need to partner to provide support or intervene when the providers’ efforts in family engagement has not been successful.
2. Obtain all provider notes/reports monthly: 
   1. Review provider notes for any inconsistencies, barriers to progress, safety threats, and behavioral changes that could possibly impact child safety, permanency and well-being. 
   2. Document a summary of the provider notes/reports in the Contact Narrative in Georgia SHINES. 
   3. Upload provider notes/reports, including any accompanying documents into Georgia SHINES External Documentation within 72 hours of receipt. 
3. During purposeful contacts with the parent, child and youth evaluate service provision: 
   1. Engage in a discussion regarding the service provisions: 
      1. How does he/she feel about the provider?
      2. How are the services helping meet their ILO and/or FLO? 
      3. Are the services relevant to their situation? 
      4. What is working well and what is not working well? Are there recommendations for a solution, if applicable? 
      5. What is their level of engagement in the services (i.e. attendance, preparedness, communication and response)? 
      6. What was learned from the services and how it has been implemented into their everyday life? 
   2. Compare what was reported by the provider and the family’s version and obtain clarification when incongruent. 
   3. Observe family interaction and look for skill implementation and utilization. 
   4. Celebrate positive behavioral changes. 
4. During monthly supervisor staffing discuss the impact services has had on child safety, permanency and well-being in accordance with policy 19.6 Case Management: Supervisor Staffing.

The SSS will: 

1. Ensure service providers are contacted as required or more frequently if necessary, to evaluate service provisions. 
2. Review case records to verify: 
   1. Documentation supports that the provider is providing relevant information to evaluate service provision. 
   2. Service provider reports/notes are detailed and measurable or is further exploration of vague descriptions needed. 
   3. Service notes are reviewed, summarized, and uploaded in Georgia SHINES External Documentation.
3. During monthly supervisor staffings with the SSCM discuss service provisions including the effectiveness and how the services are being monitored in accordance with policy 19.6 Case Management: Supervisor Staffing.

Conclusion of Services 

The SSCM will: 

1. Celebrate positive behavioral changes the family has made since the implementation of services. 
2. Prepare the family for services ending: 
   1. Discuss closure of services with the family prior to the last session. 
   2. Discuss any anxiety the family may be having around services ending. 
   3. Provide the family with resources or community service providers for any follow up needed now or in the future. 
   4. Discuss behavioral changes the caregiver has made, and strategies learned that can be utilized to manage challenges in their everyday life safely. 
3. Ensure that the family has documentation of service completion (i.e. certificates). 
4. Upload all service provider notes/reports in Georgia SHINES External Documentation.

The SSS will: 

1. Ensure any behavioral changes have been acknowledged, celebrated and summarized in Georgia SHINES. 
2. Ensure the family was prepared for services ending. 
3. Ensure the family was provided with any resources or community service providers for any follow-up needs. 
4. Verify all provider notes is uploaded in Georgia Shines External Documentation.

Overcoming Barriers to Service Provision 

The SSCM will: 

1. Determine the nature of the barrier to service provision, prior to making a decision, by: 
   1. Assessing what is currently preventing services from being provided or implemented. 
   2. Discussing any service issues with the family and service providers. 
   3. Gathering and assessing the information provided by all individuals. 
2. Identify if the barrier is a resource issue or an implementation issue by determining: 
   1. Is this service available within the county or region? 
   2. Does the family have access to services? 
   3. Does the family qualify for services that local providers are offering? 
   4. Is the family willing to engage with the service provider? 
      1. Are they scheduling and keeping appointments? 
      2. Are they providing adequate contact information to providers? 
      3. Are they allowing providers access to the home? 
   5. Does the family’s availability conflict with the availability of the provider? 
   6. Are there other providers in the county that may be able to provide the same services?  
3. Meet with the family and service provider to address and resolve any service barriers.
4. Develop a consensus with the family and service provider on case outcomes and the path to address the family’s needs. 
5. Explore the possibility of court involvement if unable to engage the family to overcome the barriers to service provision. 
6. Participate in a supervisory staffing for feedback and case direction.

The SSS will: 

1. When a barrier to service provision has been identified, prior to making a decision, ensure information is gathered and assessed to determine the nature of the problem. 
2. During supervisor staffing, in conjunction with the SSCM, using information gathered identify if the barrier is a resource or implementation issue and provide guidance to overcome the barriers.

Staff Changes During Service Provision 

The receiving SSCM will: 

1. Prior to DFCS staff changes, review service notes to evaluate services and progress towards case plan outcomes with the current assigned SSCM and initiate a staffing to discuss case progress, barriers, etc.  
2. Conduct a joint visit with the family, current SCCM if available and service provider to discuss:  
   1. Current services being provided to the family and any barriers. 
   2. Expected outcome and timeline of service completion. 
   3. Timeline for staff change to occur. 
   4. Current contact information for the family and newly assigned SCCM

Prior to any changes in providers (formal/informal), the SSCM will: 

1. Discuss changes with the provider and any impact on service provision. 
2. Implement services using guidelines above. 
3. Ensure that all service notes/reports have been received, reviewed and uploaded into Georgia SHINES External Documentation from the outgoing provider. 

4. Schedule a meeting with the family, current provider and newly assigned provider, when possible to facilitate a smooth transition for the family. 

   NOTE: Conducting meetings with informal providers when there is a staff change may be challenging but should be completed when possible. 

5. Assist the family in processing any feelings they may have around changing providers and building rapport with the new provider by: 
   1. Listening to the family’s concerns. 
   2. Explaining the need for the change in service providers (i.e. promotions, resignations, expertise). 
   3. Reassuring the family of DFCS role in ensuring the change does not negatively impact service provision and case outcome.

PRACTICE GUIDANCE

Services are family-centered, community-based, and culturally competent activities that help achieve case plan outcomes and should be built around the specific developmental tasks that a family is having difficulty managing. The goal of services is to maintain children safely in their homes, ensure timely reunification when children must be removed from their families, and prevent the need for future child welfare involvement by fostering sustained behavioral changes. Services should be tailored to the individual and/or family and should always be focused on the attainment of outcomes.

Case Manager Role in Service Provision 

Service provision begins with preparing the family to manage the difficult situations they are facing in their lives by engaging the family in a discussion of available service options that include, possible providers, community resources the family would like to utilize, formal providers contracted with DFCS, and in-home or out-of-home providers. It is necessary to engage the service provider to ensure that services identified in the case plan are provided to assist the family in meeting case plan outcomes. Every effort should be made to transition the family into services as smoothly as possible. Best practice is to complete an initial visit with the provider and family to establish the partnership between the two and discuss outcomes and expectations for service completion. Once services have begun, periodic discussion with the family and the service providers regarding the effectiveness of provided services toward outcome achievement, should occur.

Warm Hand-off 

A warm handoff is a handoff that is conducted in person, between DFCS staff and the provider, with the family present. Warm handoffs can help to minimize communication breakdowns which can interfere with the timely and appropriate provision of services. It can also help to engage families and encourage them to ask questions, allow them to clarify or correct the information exchanged, and ultimately build relationships through transparent partnership.

Formal and Informal Services 

Formal services are those provided by professional or trained employees or contractors and may be paid or unpaid. Informal services are services and supports provided by individuals/entities, such as extended family, friends, church or other organizations, etc. 

Trauma Informed Services 

Trauma may adversely impact child development and should be effectively minimized in a manner that does not cause additional trauma. To recover from trauma, children and families often require treatment delivered by skilled professionals. Trauma informed services are services that understand, recognize and respond to the effects of all types of trauma. Trauma informed services “incorporate knowledge about trauma prevalence, impact, and recovery, in all aspects of service delivery, minimize re-victimization, and facilitate recovery and empowerment. Traumatic stress impacts children and families, many behaviors and responses that may seem ineffective and unhealthy in the present, represent adaptive responses to past traumatic experiences. Every child that enters foster care receives a trauma assessment that helps to identify traumatic experiences in their lives that may impact their physical and emotional wellbeing. SSCMs should inquire about whether services being sought from providers are trauma informed and make every effort to secure such services for children and families served.

Cultural Competence in Service Provision 

Cultural competence refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and sensitive to people of all cultures, languages, classes, race, ethnic backgrounds, religions, spiritual traditions, immigration status and other diversity factors (gender, sexual orientation, disability, profession) in a matter that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals and families and protects and preserves the dignity of each. To provide culturally competent services one must identify and understand a family’s culture. A person’s culture is a combination of the attitudes and practices that ultimately shape the behaviors of individuals and groups of people. When culture is considered in service provision, the SSCM is knowledgeable about and skillful in the use of services, resources, and institutions available to serve multi-cultural individuals and make cultural appropriate referrals within both formal and informal networks.

Barriers to Service Provision 

When the provision of services hit a roadblock in implementation, participation and completion we commonly refer to it as a barrier to service provision. It is important to assess barriers in each individual circumstance as there could be varying reasons. Overcoming barriers requires the commitment of the case manager as well as the involvement of service providers and families. Included below is a list of common barriers and possible solutions: 

1. Lack of consensus: building a consensus with the family around services at the beginning of the case, including have a discussion around service options. 
2. Relation issues: meet with the family and service provider to resolve conflict and redirect the focus to case plan outcome achievement. 
3. Scheduling issues: prior to selecting a provider verify the family’s and the provider’s schedules are not in conflict.  
4. Lack of local providers: research service providers outside of the family’s community that may be able meet the identified need.

Services to Address Family Needs 

Can include, but are not limited to: 

1. Children 1st and Babies Can’t Wait to assess and meet the developmental delays, physical disability, physical impairment or diagnosed disability of children under age three. 
2. Educational Programming Assessment & Consultation (EPAC) to address the educational needs/stability of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and children in foster care. 
3. Individual counseling or psychotherapy can help with: 
   1. Unresolved individual issues that are incapacitating; 
   2. Poorly developed interpersonal relationships; 
   3. Mental health disorders; and  
   4. Children who have been identified as victims (or suspected victims) of sex trafficking also known as the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) 
4. Marital and family counseling can help with: 
   1. Families with destructive relationships; 
   2. Generational conflict; 
   3. Blended families; 
   4. Child development; and 
   5. Role conflicts, boundary issues, or scapegoating. 
5. Substance use assessment and treatment to address: 
   1. Recovery;
   2. Relapse prevention; 
   3. Child dependency issues related to parent/guardian/legal custodian substance and/or alcohol use. See policy 19.24 Case Management: Family Treatment Court.
6. Family Violence Intervention Programs to address intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic violence (DV), and family violence. See Forms and Tools: Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence) Guidelines & Protocol. 
7. Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families 
   1. Early Intervention to increase parent confidence and competence in their parenting abilities and enhance family functioning (see policy 18.1 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Early Intervention).  
   2. Childcare Services to assist low income families and foster parents with the cost of childcare (see policy 18.7 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Childcare Services in Child Protective Services (CPS) and 10.16 Foster Care: Childcare and Early Education). 
   3. Homestead to provide therapeutic intervention strategies and attempt to meet the immediate crisis-oriented needs of families (see policy 18.5 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Homestead). 
   4. Parent Aide Services to provide parenting education, training and support through in-home and group parenting education (see policy 18.4 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Parent Aide Services). 
   5. Prevention of Unnecessary Placement (PUP) to reduce risk factors contributing to child maltreatment in order to ensure the protection and safety of children (see policy 18.3 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Prevention of Unnecessary Placement (PUP)). 
   6. Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) services: 
      1. PSSF Family Support: Prevent and reduce the risk of child maltreatment. 
      2. PSSF Family Preservation: Maintain children safely in their homes, prevent the unnecessary separation of families. 
      3. PSSF Family Reunification: Ensure the strength and stability of family reunification. 

      4. PSSF Adoption Promotion and Permanency Support: Encourage permanency for children through adoption, prevent disruption or dissolution of those relationships, and helps youth develop skills for independent living. 

         See policy 18.2 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF). 

   7. Wrap-Around Services to address emergency placement, crisis intervention, In-Home Case Management and In-Home Intensive Clinical/Therapeutic Services (see policy 18.6 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Wrap-Around Services). 
8. Support Services for Post Adoptive Placement and Post Adoption to assist in the adjustment of the new family and/or to prevent post adoption disruptions (see policy 11.13 Adoption: Support Services: Post Adoptive Placement & Post Adoption).

Women Treatment and Recovery Services (WTRS) – For Cases Involving Prenatal Abuse 

Women Treatment and Recovery Services are services designed to view recovery as an ongoing process to improve health and wellness and live satisfying self-directed lives for pregnant and parenting women. Providers utilize evidenced based practices that address risk factors for relapse and empower individuals to achieve identified goals with a flexible range of options for treatment. WTRS helps to identify barriers to employment, education, housing, family roles and responsibilities, and to identify unique strengths, preferences, and natural supports in the community. The target population is women with substance use disorders who are pregnant and/or parenting children under the age of 13 years. With levels of care ranging from outpatient, residential, and transitional housing options, WTRS providers work with individuals who are at high risk for relapse, are pregnant, have Child Protective Services or Family Support Involvement, criminal justice involvement, psychiatric disorders, and are sufficiently medically stable to participate in treatment. Services for women include but are not limited to: assessments, outreach services, nursing/doctor assessment, HIV/AIDS services, case management, group therapy, individual counseling sessions, Community Service Individual (CSI), support groups and outreach, job training, nurturing parenting, relapse prevention, trauma groups, drug screens (initial and random for participants involved with this specific program), and aftercare services. 

Refer the mother of an infant identified as being prenatally exposed to WTRS for a substance use disorder assessment, within five business days of the receipt of the intake report or any subsequent notification by the healthcare provider that the infant was affected by prenatal drug exposure as follows.

1. Complete the WTRS Referral & Confirmation of Appointment of Substance Abuse Disorder Assessment form, include all the relevant psychosocial history related to substance use known by DFCS. 

2. Provide a signed copy of the WTRS Referral & Confirmation of Appointment of Substance Abuse Disorder Assessment form to the mother to take to the assessment and to the WTRS provider. 

   NOTE: WTRS has 14 calendar days to complete the assessment. 

3. When WTRS cannot conduct the assessment, refer the mother to another substance use disorder treatment provider.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY) 

When an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth enters Foster Care: 

1. Enter the youth’s personal information and education status into Georgia SHINES on the Person Detail and Education Detail pages. 

   NOTE: Once the Person Detail and Education Detail pages are complete an Education Stability Plan (ESP) will be populated. 

2. Complete the ESP, in partnership with the child’s caregiver, school support team representative(s) and the assigned EPAC Education Support Monitor and/or EPAC Education Specialist. 
   1. Consult with their regional Education Support Monitor regarding all educational issues including, but not limited to the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 Plans, Response to Interventions (RTI), Tribunals, Disciplinary Issues, etc. 
      1. Contact children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals. 
   2. Contact EPAC or their local county’s Georgia Department of Education’s Point of Contact (POC) immediately regarding any situation that could result in a disruption of the educational stability of a youth in foster care.
3. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth who are not in Foster Care: 
   1. Contact the youth’s school district’s McKinney Vento Liaison to ensure education needs are met. View the Homeless Liaison Report for the current McKinney Vento Liaisons for the state.

Community Resource Directory Maintainer 

Each county should maintain and update, at least annually, a directory of services available within the community, county and if needed, within commuting distance of the county office. Resource directories developed by other community groups (United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Family Connections, advocacy groups, etc.) may be incorporated into the agency’s community resource directory. Minimally, the resource directory should include the following service needs: 

1. Food pantries and sources of free, nutritious meals 
2. Housing (public housing and Section 8) 
3. Emergency assistance with financial needs (rent, utility bills, etc.) 
4. Employment assistance (Goodwill, Department of Labor, etc.) 
5. Transportation 
6. No-cost or low-cost medical care (Health Department, etc.) 
7. Developmental services (Children 1st, Babies Can’t Wait) 
8. Childcare (Head Start, Pre-K, Child and Parent Services (CAPS, etc.)
9. Education (public school, GED programs, technical schools, Job Corp, etc.) 
10. Mental health and behavioral health services
11. Substance abuse treatment 
12. Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence services 
13. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (Georgia Care Connection, etc.) 
14. Legal assistance (public defender, Georgia Legal Services, etc.) 
15. Services for the elderly (Department of Aging, community ombudsman, grandparents raising grandchildren, etc.)
16. Support groups (AA, NA, diabetes support groups, groups for children with disabilities, HIV, etc.) 
17. Foreign Embassy/Consulate contact information 
18. Native American tribal contact information (Indian Child Welfare Act) 
19. Limited English Proficient, Sensory Impaired Client Services (LEP/SI) resource information 

NOTE: Resource Maintainers shall have the responsibility of updating and maintaining community resources (paid and non-paid) in Georgia SHINES.

Services for at Risk Children/Youth

DFCS has a responsibility to assess a family for significant risk factors that may have a negative impact on a child/youth’s safety and well-being. When recognized, specific individualized services must be provided to the caregivers, children and youth in the family in an attempt to eliminate or mitigate the negative influences that may impact family functioning. Some services that may be beneficial when serving the at-risk population include, but are not limited to: 

1. Education opportunities (high school diploma, GED, and post-secondary education such as a college, university or technical school); 
2. Coordination with McKinney-Vento Liaison; 
3. Individual and group counseling;
4. Basic life skills (laundry, cooking shopping, making appointments, etc.); 
5. Money management/budgeting; 
6. Consumer education (including use of credit); 
7. Parenting skills (as appropriate);  
8. Interpersonal skill building;  
9. Mentor programs; 
10. Job attainment skills (building a resume, interviewing skills, conduct at work, etc.); 
11. Mental and physical healthcare to homeless youth (nutrition, treatment services availability, clinics etc.); and/or 
12. Family planning, abstinence education and pregnancy prevention services.

FORMS AND TOOLS

Authorization for Release of Information
Authorization for Release of Information - Spanish
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Referral Form
Homeless Liaison Report – Georgia Department of Education (DOE)
Human Trafficking Case Management Statewide Protocol
Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence) Guidelines & Protocol
Women Treatment & Recovery Services (Brochure)
Women Treatment & Recovery Services Providers
WTRS/RFW Referral & Confirmation of Appointment of Substance Abuse Disorder Assessment Form