Children in State Custody

​Policy 4.0

The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) provides appropriate services on behalf of children who are in the custody of the state.

​State Authority

O.C.G.A. §§ 15-11-28, 15-11-261, 19-6-26, et seq.

​Federal Authority

42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(19)
45 CFR §§ 303.30 through 303.32
OCSE-IM-12-02

​Applicability

All Georgia child support offices receiving Title IV-D funds, including all private vendors contracted with the Department of Human Services to provide child support services.

​Overview

DCSS has a cooperative agreement with the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to provide services on behalf of children in the state’s custody.

Services Provided by DCSS

Services are provided by DCSS through an assignment obtained while the child is in the state’s custody and while the child is receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid. DCSS services are provided until the parent, or guardian regains custody or until the child is legally adopted. Termination of parental rights does not relieve a parent of their support obligation to a child until the child is legally adopted.

Services provided by DCSS include:

  1. Establishment of paternity

  2. Support order establishment

  3. Enforcement of a support order

  4. Establishment and enforcement of medical support

  5. Assisting with locating parents for the purpose of child placement when requested by the Juvenile Court or DFCS.

DCSS seeks to obtain or enforce child support and medical support from either parent or guardian who is legally responsible for the physical wellbeing (i.e. health, protection, and education) of the child. However, DCSS will not seek to obtain or enforce child support obligations against minor parents of foster children who are also in the custody of the state.