Daily Update - February 22, 2012 - Differential Response Protocol

From day one on the job, Commissioner Reese clearly communicated his intent on safety for Georgia's children. This may be evidenced in the uptick in the number of children coming into care. Prior to the current administration, Diversion, a non-investigatory track,  was used to assign intakes when no maltreatment was alleged or when risk factors were low. Concern was raised that there was no state protocol around Diversion to ensure consistency in safety for children.

A decision was made by leadership to replace Diversion with the Differential Response, which allows for more than one method of response to screened-in reports of alleged child maltreatment.  DFCS is moving to a safety-focused system that incorporates an assessment of family functioning, child vulnerability and caregiver protective capacity.  The new protocol will ensure standardized practice and provide clarity around assignment of cases. This new practice should result in a stronger safety net and better outcomes for children.

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An email newsletter of the
Georgia Association of Homes
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