Press Releases

This year, National Adoption Month's theme is "Engage Youth: Listen and Learn." The U.S. Children's Bureau and its partners will share resources on engaging youth to participate in their case planning. This empowering practice can improve outcomes and lead to greater opportunities for success in their lives.

In 2021, Georgia’s Division of Aging Services will revamp food programs in senior centers and provide nutrition services during emergencies using funds from a nutrition innovation grant awarded by the Administration for Community Living.

 

Beginning Nov. 2, 2020 residents aged 65 and older or those who are medically homebound can apply for assistance through the Department’s LIHEAP. All other eligible residents may apply for assistance beginning Dec. 1, 2020. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted.

GeorgiaCares expands counseling services to web-based platform.

Bleckley County Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) has closed its doors at the previous location, 140 East Peacock Street, Cochran, GA 31014, and today, October 15, will be moving the office and all operations to 137 S. Sixth St., Cochran, GA 31014.

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) was the victim of a recent cyberattack in which hackers gained unauthorized access to certain employee email accounts. The attacks occurred between May 3, 2020, and May 15, 2020. DHS and the Georgia Technology Authority, the state agency responsible for Information Technology Enterprise Management, worked together to resolve the issue. After becoming aware of the attack, immediate actions were taken to lock any compromised accounts and block any malicious actors.

Barrow County Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) has closed its doors at the previous location, 16 Lee Street, Winder, GA 30680, and today, October 1, will be moving the office and all operations to 63 Lays Drive, Winder, GA 30680.

Program recertification periods for Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)  constituents, that were previously suspended due to COVID-19, have now resumed.

The Prevention and Community Support Section of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services and Prevent Child Abuse Georgia has taken action to develop a statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan. Since its last version 20 years ago, state agencies and organizations and various stakeholders, including state and local government leaders, community-based and human services providers, early childhood educators, parents, caregivers, and faith-based organizations, have developed a new vision for child and family well-being in Georgia.

ADvancing States named Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Director of Aging Services Abby Cox to its Board of Directors beginning Sept. 1, 2020.

The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services announced today that it has changed the date of its previously announced application cycle for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer. The new submission deadline is September 18, 2020.

Across Georgia, 34% of children in care are in a kinship arrangement. A kinship arrangement consists of relatives and close family friends caring for children when their parents cannot care for them.

Stephens County Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) will be closing its doors on Friday, Aug. 28. The previous location, 64 Boulevard, Suite 101 Toccoa, GA 30577, will temporarily relocate the office and all operations to Banks County DFCS located at 154 Windmill Farm Road, Homer, GA 30547.

Seventeen Georgia community organizations have been selected to receive technical assistance and funding from the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services through its State of Hope initiative.

The Division of Family & Children Services recently named Kevin Harris as interim Legislative Director Legislative Affairs and Communications.

Madison County Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) will be closing its doors on Friday, July 31. The previous location, 306 W. Courthouse Square, Danielsville, GA 30633, will temporarily relocate the office and all operations to Elbert County DFCS located at 45 Forest Avenue Elberton, GA 30635.

The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) partnered with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to provide food benefits to families with children who receive free or reduced school lunch. The Family First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 allows the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to facilitate the distribution of the Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) to eligible students statewide.
 

The CARES Act allows LIHEAP grantees to obligate any portion of these supplemental funds in FY 2020 and/or FY 2021. Eligible Georgia residents may apply for energy assistance through the Division of Family & Children Service’s LIHEAP.

The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services will hold a virtual public hearing in July. The purpose of this upcoming meeting is to formally review the FY 2021 State Plan Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services will hold a virtual public hearing in July. The purpose of this upcoming meeting is to formally review the FY 2021 State Plan for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).

The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) is partnering with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to provide food benefits to families with children who receive free and reduced lunch.

Georgia is now one of 36 states that allows citizens who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to order groceries online.

This Spring, a record number of Atlanta-area youth graduated high school.

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will work to reduce social isolation for older adults and people with disabilities amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of a federal CARES Act grant.

Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, DFCS will move forward with plans to honor foster families by launching digital initiatives to celebrate their efforts.