9015 Forensic Background Checks

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Aging Services
Administrative Manual

Chapter:

9000 Forensic Special Initiatives Unit (FSIU)

Effective Date:

Section Title:

Forensic Background Checks

Reviewed or Updated in:

2016-03

Section Number:

9015

Previous Update:

Policy Statement

The Division of Aging Services (DAS) staff will adhere to state law, department and division policy when using the Accurint system.

Basic Considerations

DAS subscribes to Accurint in order to:

  • assist consumers in transitioning back to the community from long term care facilities,

  • provide information during an investigation of abuse/neglect/or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, whether conducted by Adult Protective Services or law enforcement

  • assist in assuring the safety/security of a person under guardianship

Access to the system is limited as follows:

  • Forensic Unit post certified members

  • Access to Services Transition Specialist

  • Adult Protective Services Section Manager, Field Operations Manager and District Managers

  • Public Guardianship Office Section Manager, Adult Guardianship Specialist, Field Operations Manager and Supervisors

  • DHS Associate General Counsel for DAS

The designated system administrator for DAS is the FSIU white collar crime specialist.

Any use of the background check for a purpose other than those described in Table 1: Forensic Background Check Parameters by Program requires the pre-authorization of the Division Director.

Table 1. Forensic Background Check Parameters by Program
Program Parameters

Elder Abuse Prevention (FSIU)

Checks are limited to technical assistance or case review provided to DHS (DAS, APS), DCH/HFR, DBHDD, law enforcement, and/or Prosecutors.

Adult Protective Services (APS)

Background checks may be conducted during an investigation. The following list describes the type of checks/searches that may be conducted and is not all inclusive:

  1. Screen when safety is listed as an issue in the report

  2. Locate individuals, such as relatives or the alleged victim

  3. Provide history on cases where necessary to make a determination of whether abuse/neglect or exploitation has occurred.

Public Guardianship Office (PGO)

The background check system may be used as follows:

  1. To provide alerts on unauthorized financial activity

  2. To assist with identifying potential successor guardians

AGC for DAS

The AGC will use the system to assist APS and PGO as needed.

Money Follows the Person (MFP)

Background checks on MFP participants may be conducted with their written permission to remove barriers to community transitions. The following list describes the type of checks/searches that may be conducted and is not all inclusive:

  1. Identify the nature and extent of criminal histories

  2. Identify current location of individuals who cannot be contacted

  3. Identify veracity of guardianship, POS, or other court ordered documents

  4. Confirm death of participant when in question, or participant’s family member(s) where court orders or financial matters are concerned

  5. Obtain confirmation of vital records, such as birth certificate, marriage certificates, naturalization documentation

  6. Determine the true identity/name of an individual, when in question.

Procedures

The DAS administrator will remove and add users as necessary and as directed by the Division Director.

Users will keep a log of all checks conducted, to include case number and type of search.

Logs will be submitted to the system administrator and Fiscal Administration in order to validate costs.