February 19, 2008 - Foster youth transitioning out of Georgia's foster care system can benefit financially from a new savings plan specifically design for foster teens. Those who participate will be able to get their money matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000 through a savings program offered by Georgia's Department of Human Resources' Independent Living Program (ILP). This program is one of many offered by the Independent Living Program to help foster youth achieve independence and transition more successfully into adulthood.
February 15, 2008 – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) started warning the public about the ‘hit man’ scam early in 2007, and recently the scam showed up in the Coastal Georgia Region of the state. In the scam, an individual writes an email threatening to kill the recipient if he does not pay him thousands of dollars. The person claims to be a hired assassin, or ‘hit man’, who knows where the recipient lives and works. If he gets a reply from someone requesting that he stop his threats, the scammer gets more aggressive in his messages.
February 15, 2008 – On February 1, 2008, the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) began collecting a $25 mandatory annual maintenance fee from its families, used to cover administrative costs for maintaining the account. Through this act, states were required to take legislative action, if necessary, to make this fee statutory. During the 2007 Legislative session, Senate Bill 42 was passed authorizing the fee in compliance with the federal mandate. Those affected will be families not receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), as well as families who have a case where the state has collected at least $500 of child support annually.
Feburary 15, 2008 - Families interested in learning about children who are available for adoption, or more about the adoption process, are encouraged to attend the Got Heart? Share it Through Adoption! matching meeting Saturday, February 23 at the Belair Conference Center in Augusta from 1:00-3:00, located at 4081 Belair Road. The event, where individuals and families will be able to get information about specific children who need adopting, is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Human Resources' Division of Family and Children Services. County DFCS offices and private adoption agencies from around the state will also be available to provide general information about Georgia adoptions and foster care.
February 15, 2008 – The Board of Human Resources will hold its official monthly meeting at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, in room 29.250, Two Peachtree Street N.W. in Atlanta, immediately following a review of the morning committee meetings.
February 13, 2008 – On February 14, 2008 the Fatherhood Program, a unit of the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), will be donating stuffed Teddy Bears to the children at the Medical Center of Central Georgia Pediatrics Unit in honor of Valentine’s Day. The event, located at 777 Hemlock Street in Macon, Georgia will begin at 10:30 a.m. Additionally, non-custodial parents participating in Access & Visitation services on Valentine’s Day will receive stuffed teddy bears to present to their children as part of the event.
February 8, 2008 - Eighty-eight percent of Americans over the age 65 have at least one chronic health condition such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, which can be controlled by making healthy lifestyle changes. About 40 percent of deaths in the nation can be attributed to smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet or the misuse of alcohol. By adopting healthy behaviors such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and avoiding tobacco use, a person can prevent or control the effects of many chronic diseases. During American Heart Month in February, the Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services (DAS) is urging older adults and others to practice healthy behaviors and learn the signs of a heart attack and stroke.
February 8, 2008 - Income tax season is here and the Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services (DAS) is encouraging Georgians to contribute to their local community through the Georgia Fund for Children and Elderly by checking the appropriate box on the State of Georgia Income Tax Form. Donations are tax deductible. The collections go to local Area Agencies on Aging, which provide home-delivered meals and transportation to the elderly, and through grants to public or non-profit agencies serving children with special health, educational, and emotional needs. Last year, a total of $222,193.46 was collected.
February 8, 2008 - The Celebration of Excellence program, which provides scholarships to foster teens bound for college or vocational school, has opened its application process for the 2008 program year. Sponsored by the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and a coalition of public and private community partners, the program is expected to award tens of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to foster teens this summer at the annual Celebration of Excellence event, where foster teens statewide are recognized for their academic achievements.
February 7, 2008 – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), observed on February 7th, serves as a reminder to individuals that the HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a crisis for the African-American community especially in Georgia. In 2005, African-Americans accounted for 79 percent of new HIV cases and 77 percent of the new AIDS diagnoses in Georgia.