2920 Domestic Violence

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Medicaid Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Domestic Violence

Effective Date:

June 2020

Chapter:

2900

Policy Number:

2920

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 37

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-60

Requirements

Free, confidential services are available from family violence shelters and programs supported by the Department of Human Services.

DFCS will not share the information with anyone outside the agency without the applicant/recipient’s knowledge.

Basic Considerations

Domestic violence occurs on all social and economic levels, regardless of employment or education, race or ethnic background, religion, marital status, physical ability, age or sexual orientation.

24-Hour Help Line

Georgia has 44 certified family violence shelters, operated by private, nonprofit organizations. They provide 24-hour crisis lines; legal and social service advocacy; children’s programs; parenting support and educational; emotional support; and community education.

All county DFCS offices have domestic violence assessors who assist DFCS staff to identify and provide crisis intervention and relocation services to domestic violence victims receiving or applying for TANF assistance.

Customers may call 1-800-33HAVEN to speak to someone at a local family violence shelter. The number automatically connects the caller to the local family violence shelter. Customers may call from anywhere in the state to find a safe place to stay for themselves and their children, and to get other resources.

Workers may call the DFCS Safety Management Section (Family Violence Services) at 404-657-3413 for more information or assistance.

The brochure “What Every Woman Needs to Know” (form # 522) is available in English and Spanish through the DFCS State Office (see Appendix F) and may be used to assist the worker and/or customer in determining if a Domestic Violence referral is appropriate. When in doubt, offer the help line number to the customer.

More information can be obtained about domestic violence by visiting the “Georgia Commission on Family Violence” website at www.gcfv.georgia.gov/.