14.7 Inquiries and Information Sessions

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(14) Resource Development

Policy Title:

Inquiries and Information Sessions

Policy Number:

14.7

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

November 2024

Manual Transmittal:

2024-09

Codes/References

Public Law (PL) 103-382 Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994 as amended by the Interethnic Placement Act of 1996 (MEPA-IEPA)

Requirements

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

  1. Process all inquiries from prospective foster and adoptive parents received in person, via the Foster Georgia Inquiry Line 1-877-210-KIDS [5437],1-877-423-4746, or the Foster Georgia Website (www.fostergeorgia.com).

  2. Contact prospective foster and adoptive parents within one business day of an inquiry to schedule an Information Session.

  3. Make Information Sessions available each calendar month.

  4. Require all prospective foster and adoptive parents to attend an Information Session as part of the caregiver onboarding process.

    1. Caregivers approved by other states and move to Georgia must attend an Information Session.

    2. Applicants who are couples must both attend an Information Session.

  5. Provide an Information Session to any interested persons and not systematically or inappropriately select out persons interested in transracial or interethnic placements. The arbitrary use of race-neutral factors (e.g., income, age, education, family structure, home ownership status, etc.) that also have the effect of excluding groups of prospective families is prohibited.

Procedures

Processing inquiries received by the Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Unit (CRRU)

The CRRU State Office Inquiry Response Team will:

  1. Respond to persons who inquire about becoming a foster or adoptive parent within one business day to confirm their interest.

  2. Obtain inquiry information including but not limited to demographic information.

  3. Carefully screen Georgia SHINES (using partial first and last name, DOB, and address) to see if an applicant’s information has previously been entered into the system before creating a new Home Information Page and Person Detail pages for all household members.

  4. Create or reopen a Foster/Adoptive Home (FAD) Stage in Georgia SHINES for the prospective caregivers where all future casework activities regarding the applicants will be documented.

  5. Invite the prospective caregiver to a State Office Information Session.

  6. Notify the Regional point of contact of a new inquiry assignment via email within one business day. Assign the FAD stage to the Regional point of contact.

  7. Email the Prospective Caregiver Application & Instructions and the Live Scan Application for the primary and any secondary caregiver(s) following completion of the Information Session.

  8. Assign a Caregiver Navigator to provide support to the applicant through the application process.

Processing inquiries received by a local DFCS

When processing inquiries, the local DFCS Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Specialist (CRRS) will:

  1. Respond to persons who inquire about becoming a foster or adoptive parent within one business day to confirm their interest and schedule an Information Session.

  2. Obtain inquiry information including but not limited to demographic information.

  3. Carefully screen Georgia SHINES (using partial first and last name, DOB, and address) to see if an applicant’s information has previously been entered into the system before creating a new Home Information Page and Person Detail pages for all household members.

  4. Create or reopen a Foster/Adoptive Home (FAD) Stage in Georgia SHINES for the prospective caregivers where all future casework activities regarding the applicants will be documented.

  5. Email the Prospective Caregiver Application & Instructions and the Live Scan Application Form to the primary and any secondary caregivers after the Information Session has been completed (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks).

  6. Contact prospective caregivers within two business days of a missed Information Session appointment to schedule another appointment.

  7. Close out prospective caregivers in Georgia SHINES after three missed Information Session appointments.

    1. Send written notification of closure asking prospective caregivers to inquire again when they decide to proceed with the process.

    2. When appropriate, consider other ways to partner with individuals who decide not to foster or adopt, such as:

      1. Special activities/events (e.g., Secret Santa, picnics, etc.).

      2. Volunteer activities for families.

      3. Recruitment activities.

      4. Operating clothing closets/food pantries.

      5. Providing refreshments for future training events.

      6. Sponsoring a child’s expenses for scouts, ballet, prom clothing, etc.

      7. Using special skills (e.g., art, athletics, etc.).

      8. Serving on citizen panels.

      9. Becoming a fully approved “respite only” foster parent.

Processing inquiries received by a Child Placing Agency (CPA)

When processing inquiries, the CPA Resource Development Staff will:

  1. Respond to persons who inquire about becoming a foster or adoptive parent within one business day to confirm their interest and schedule an Information Session.

  2. Obtain inquiry information including but not limited to demographic information.

  3. Email the Prospective Caregiver Application & Instructions and the Live Scan Application Form to the primary and any secondary caregivers (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks).

  4. Complete and submit the DFCS CPS Screening Request to initiate safety screenings that must be completed by DFCS (see policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings).

Practice Guidance

Inquiries

Prospective caregivers may inquire about becoming a foster or adoptive parent by calling a toll-free number (1-877-210-5437 or 1-877-423-4746) which serves as the central intake line for all telephone inquiries. They may also make web-based inquiries at www.fostergeorgia.com. The County Department should contact the Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Unit (CRRU) at the state office regarding concerns about the inquiry line or website.

Information Sessions

The Information Session (previously referred to as Orientation) constitutes the first phase of pre-service training/preparation and is mandatory for all potential foster and adoptive families. The scripted Information Session video and PowerPoint presentation should be used. Families approved by other states are also required to have the fundamental information needed to consider fostering or adopting in this state. The Information Session provides a basic introduction of applicable DFCS policy to assist interested parties in making an initial decision about becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Subsequently, they can determine whether to continue the process. The Information Session may be completed within a scheduled group setting or individually. Regardless of the format, persons interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents should not have to wait more than 14 calendar days to attend an Information Session. Making people wait leads to increased drop-out rates, therefore DFCS must move quickly to help people act upon their initial interest and nurture their desire to foster or adopt. Otherwise, such interest and desire may gradually disappear resulting the loss of a potential resource for a child.

Following the Information Session, persons interested in continuing the application process must complete all required onboarding documentation and supplemental verifications (see policy 14.10 Resource Development: Initial Family Evaluation). Any negative findings from safety screenings and criminal history record checks should be reviewed and approved by the County Director/Designee or CPA Director/Designee before an invitation to pre-service training is extended.

Applicant

This term refers to a prospective foster or adoptive parent who has made an inquiry and submitted a Prospective Caregiver Application but has not yet obtained final approval as a foster or adoptive parent. No individual should be denied the opportunity to apply based on race, color, or national origin (of the person or child involved).

Forms and Tools

Prospective Caregiver Application & Instructions
Prospective Caregiver Application & Instructions (Spanish)