The state agency that investigates child abuse cases is creating a program to stay involved in the lives of children once caseworkers determine their home life is safe again.
Department of Human Services board members on Wednesday approved a proposed budget request that includes $940,000 to create the “closed case follow up pilot team.”
After getting a call about possible child abuse or neglect, the Division of Family and Children Services’ involvement with children typically ends once things at home are found to be safe. Current policy does not require a caseworker to follow up with families unless another complaint is filed.
“This will help avoid instances where (DFCS) closes a case on a child and then something bad happens a few months later,” said Cliff O’Connor, DFCS’ chief financial officer.
The money is part of nearly $10.3 million in additional funding the division plans to ask for in its budget request for fiscal 2020, which begins July 1.
Gov. Nathan Deal's office informed agencies earlier this month that they would be allowed to ask for a 2 percent increase in their next annual budget requests. It's the first time the governor's office has told agency heads they could increase spending since 2007, just before the Great Recession.
Since Deal is retiring in January, the new governor will be the one to sign off on agencies' final budgets. For the past seven years, Deal told agency officials not to ask for an increase in spending. This year, citing a strong economy, he gave them a green light to ask for more.
DFCS, which reports to the Department of Human Services, investigates child welfare and neglect, and it handles everything from child support to financial assistance for families.
Creation of the “closed case” team is an effort to cut down on instances where children who were once under the division’s supervision are harmed.
Members of the pilot program would be dedicated to following up with families to ensure they’re taking steps to ensure a child remains safe in the home.
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