7.3 Making a Family Support Services Determination

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(7) Family Support Services

Policy Title:

Making a Family Support Services Determination

Policy Number:

7.3

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

March 2023

Manual Transmittal:

2023-01

Codes/References

O.C.G.A. § 49-5-40 Definitions; Confidentiality of Records; Restricted Access to Records
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-41 Persons and Agencies Permitted to Access Records
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Make the following determinations upon the conclusion of a Family Support Services (FSS) assessmen

    1. Safety determination (safe or unsafe);

    2. Whether further DFCS intervention is required to ensure child safety; and

    3. The need for non-safety related service provision to assist the family or parent with managing the challenging situation(s).

  2. Complete a thorough review and analysis of the information gathered, including DFCS history, during the FSS assessment to support decision-making.

  3. Conduct a supervisor staffing to make an FSS determination.

  4. Progress the FSS case to an Investigation in Georgia SHINES within three business days of the identification of a safety threat.

  5. Document the FSS determination and the evidence to support safety and services decisions on the Agreement Summary page and FSS Conclusion page in Georgia SHINES.

Procedures

Social Services Case Manager

  1. Document all FSS activities in Georgia SHINES including:

    1. Interviews, observations, and collaterals; and

    2. Uploading into External Documentation reports, forms, medical reports, professional assessments, pictures, letters, etc.

  2. Analyze information gathered and observations made relative to each area of family functioning:

    1. Interviews and observations of all household members and/or alleged maltreater(s);

    2. Observations of the home environment and/or the location in which the abuse occurred, including observation of objects that may have been named in the allegations of maltreatment;

    3. Collateral contacts;

    4. Videos, assessments, forensic reports, police reports, medical reports, educational reports, pictures, etc.;

    5. DFCS history and how it relates to the current allegations (see policy 19.10 Case Management: Analyzing DFCS History);

    6. Safety Screenings; and

    7. Any other information relevant to the allegations of maltreatment and child safety.

  3. Consider the challenges the family is facing related to their developmental stage and tasks and any correlation to alleged child abuse.

  4. When substance abuse is suspected or alleged see policy 19.26 Case Management: Case Management Involving Substance Abuse or Use for additional steps that need to be completed and considered when making a determination.

  5. Make additional contacts or obtain additional information to resolve and/or provide clarification of inconsistencies (see Practice Guidance: Resolving Discrepancies or Conflicting Information).

  6. Participate in a supervisor staffing to make the following determinations:

    1. Safety for each alleged victim child in accordance with policy 19.11 Case Management: Safety Assessment.

    2. Whether further DFCS intervention is required to ensure child safety; and

    3. The need for non-safety related service provision to assist the family or caregiver with managing the challenging situation(s).

  7. Complete the Safety Plan page in Georgia SHINES when a safety concern is identified.

  8. Complete the Agreement Summary page in Georgia SHINES, document:

    1. A detailed summary of evidence that supports the safety determination.

    2. What everyday family life issues the family or others are concerned about:

    3. What individual issues the family or others are concerned about that need to change to ensure child safety (e.g., change the old plan for managing anger, emotions, or substances).

    4. The family strengths by describing what was learned from searching for exceptions with the family around what they have done to keep the child(ren) safe, healthy, and in school in the past and what resources were used.

    5. The Agreement Strategy, if applicable, in accordance with policy 7.4 Family Support Services: Agreement Strategy.

  9. Complete the Family Support Services Conclusion page:

    1. Document a concise summary in the narrative section of:

      1. Services needed or recommended, and formal or informal services initiated or ongoing as a part of the Agreement Strategy.

      2. Services not needed or recommended based on evidence gathered during the FSS assessment (interviews, observations, collaterals).

    2. Select a disposition:

      1. Close-No Further Involvement

      2. Close-Opened in Error

      3. Close-Refer to Investigation

      4. Close-Refer for Services

Social Services Supervisor

  1. Conduct a supervisor staffing as outlined in policy 19.6 Case Management: Supervisor Staffing to make the following determinations:

    1. Safety (safe or unsafe) for each alleged victim child in accordance with policy 19.11 Case Management: Safety Assessment.

    2. Whether further DFCS intervention is required to ensure child safety; and

    3. The need for non-safety related service provision to assist the family or caregiver with managing the challenging situation(s).

  2. Review the case record in Georgia SHINES within 45 calendar days of receipt of the intake report, to ensure the case determination is accurately reflected:

    1. Log of Contacts

    2. Agreement Summary page

      1. A detailed summary of evidence that supports the safety determination.

      2. What everyday family life issues the family or others are concerned about:

      3. What individual issues the family or others are concerned about that need to change to ensure child safety (e.g., change the old plan for managing anger, emotions, or substances).

      4. The family strengths by describing what was learned from searching for exceptions with the family around what they have done to keep the child(ren) safe, healthy, and in school in the past and what resources were used.

      5. The Agreement Strategy, if applicable, in accordance with policy 7.4 Family Support Services: Agreement Strategy.

  3. Review the FSS conclusion page, confirm the disposition selected is correct, and make an approval decision.

Stage progress the FSS assessment to the Investigation stage in Georgia SHINES within three business days of the identification of a safety threat.

Practice Guidance

Resolving Discrepancies or Conflicting Information

During an FSS assessment, often there are discrepancies in information collected or there are conflicting accounts regarding the allegations of abuse. It is important to attempt to resolve discrepancies or conflicts to ensure that the information gathered accurately supports the safety determination. Some ways to address these situations include but are not limited to:

  1. Reviewing the information gathered again to determine what information is needed to resolve the issue(s).

  2. Seeking supervisory assistance to review the information or develop a plan to resolve the issue(s).

  3. Conducting additional interviews with the family members, reporter, collaterals, etc.

  4. Engaging subject matter experts to assist in the review of evidence or to discuss the information.

  5. Requesting additional professional assessments or evaluations for the child(ren) or caregiver(s).

Forms and Tools

N/A