5039 Resource Database (RDB) Overview | Access to Services 5200 Manual

The Georgia Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Georgia Division of Aging Services (DAS) Resource Database (RDB) supports informed choice and consistent referrals for older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and families across the State of Georgia. The RDB policies establish standardized criteria and timelines for:

Inclusion in the RDB reflects reasonable verification at the time of entry and does not constitute endorsement by the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Georgia Division of Aging Services (DAS), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), or ADRC partners.

Reasonable verification may include, but is not limited to, provider self-attestation, review of public records, licensure databases, official websites, or confirmation by trusted partners.

This policy applies to Georgia DAS, all Georgia ADRC staff, AAAs, contractors, and partners responsible for identifying, entering, reviewing, or maintaining resources and services in the Georgia ADRC RDB.

Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)

A coordinated, consumer-referrals network administered under the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services that provides information, referrals, and assistance to older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and families.

Active Resource

A resource that is currently operational, verified, and available for referral to Georgia residents through the ADRC Resource Database.

American Community Survey (ACS)

An ongoing, annual survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that provides up-to-date detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data.

Application Programming Interface (API)

A data service that enables software developers to access and use Census Bureau data within their applications.

Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

A regional entity designated by Georgia DAS to plan, coordinate, and oversee aging services within an assigned Planning and Service Area in Georgia.

Category (RDB Category Term)

The primary consumer-facing classification assigned to a resource in accordance with Georgia DHS DAS RDB Taxonomy standards. Each resource must be assigned to one primary category.

Exclusion Criteria

Conditions under which a provider, program, or organization is not eligible for inclusion in the RDB, including loss of licensure, regulatory noncompliance, failure to provide required information, substantiated consumer risk, or repeated failure to respond to complaints.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

A standardized workload measurement representing the equivalent of one full-time position. For purposes of this policy, each AAA must designate at least 0.5 FTE to the ADRC Resource Specialist role.

High-Risk Service

A service involving direct care, clinical intervention, regulated treatment, residential placement, or statutorily designated investigative authority. High-risk services require enhanced verification, documentation, and monitoring and generally align with Tier 3 or Tier 4 classifications.

Inactivated Resource

A resource or service that is no longer available for referral due to closure, suspension, verified compliance concerns, loss of licensure, failure to meet inclusion standards, or unresolved consumer safety risks.

Inclusion Criteria

The standardized requirements a provider must meet to be entered into the RDB, including relevance to ADRC consumers, operational status, regulatory compliance, licensure (when required), service availability in Georgia, and alignment with RDB taxonomy standards.

Internal Status Tags

Administrative designations applied within the RDB system for monitoring or workflow purposes. Examples include Provisional, Temporary, Probationary, and Under Review. Internal tags do not alter public-facing referral status unless formally inactivated.

Licensure Verification

The confirmation of required licenses or certifications through official regulatory databases, governing authorities, or oversight agencies when mandated by law or regulation.

Minimum Time in Operation

The required period a provider must demonstrate active service delivery prior to full inclusion in the RDB, as determined by Tier classification. Requirements range from immediate inclusion (Tier 1) to 180 days (Tier 4), unless provisional status applies.

Monitoring

Ongoing oversight activities conducted by Resource Specialists, supervisors, AAAs, or Georgia DAS to ensure compliance with inclusion standards, maintenance schedules, and quality assurance requirements.

National Provider Identifier (NPI)

A federally issued unique identification number required for certain healthcare providers and verified when applicable to Tier 3 or Tier 4 services.

Provisional Resource

A resource temporarily included in the RDB that has not yet met standard time-in-operation requirements but qualifies under allowable exceptions (e.g., government agency, grant-funded initiative, leadership recommendation). Provisional resources must be reviewed within six (6) to twelve (12) months.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Systematic review processes ensure that resource records are accurate, complete, properly mapped to taxonomy standards, free of duplication, and compliant with policy requirements.

Reasonable Verification

Documented efforts to confirm that a provider is operational, credible, and compliant at the time of entry or review. Methods may include provider self-attestation, direct contact, review of public records, licensure databases, official websites, insurance documentation, regulatory inspection reports, or confirmation by trusted partners.

Resource

An organization, program, agency, government entity, or provider that offers services or supports relevant to ADRC consumers and is listed in the Georgia ADRC Resource Database.

Resource Database (RDB)

The centralized referral and information system maintained by Georgia DAS to support informed choice and consistent statewide referrals through the ADRC network.

Resource Development

Proactive identification, outreach, and inclusion of new and emerging community providers to address service gaps, geographic disparities, or unmet consumer needs.

Resource Maintenance

The ongoing process of reviewing, validating, updating, and correcting resource records to ensure accuracy and compliance with policy standards.

Resource Specialist (ADRC Resource Specialist)

The staff person designated by each AAA (minimum 0.5 FTE) responsible for networking, resource identification, database entry, taxonomy compliance, routine updates, documentation of outreach and validation activities, and quality assurance.

Service

A specific program, activity, benefit, intervention, or assistance offered by a resource that addresses an identified consumer need and is assigned at least one RDB service term.

Service Term (RDB Service Term)

A standardized taxonomy term used to describe the specific type of assistance provided by a resource. Each resource must be assigned at least one service term.

Service Tier (Tier Classification)

The risk-based classification assigned to a service category within the RDB Taxonomy that determines documentation, verification requirements, and minimum time-in-operation prior to inclusion.

Taxonomy Mapping

The process of assigning appropriate service terms and one primary category to a resource in accordance with Georgia DHS DAS RDB Taxonomy standards.

Verification Documentation

Records retained to demonstrate compliance with inclusion standards, including licenses, certifications, insurance confirmation, inspection reports, credential verification, NPI validation, and documented outreach or confirmation efforts.

The Georgia ADRC Resource Database is a living resource intended to support informed choice and timely referrals. Inclusion reflects reasonable verification at the time of entry and does not guarantee service quality or availability.