Georgia Department of Human Services [2013]

KEITH HORTON COMMISSIONER
DHS LEADERSHIP: James Bulot
Division of Aging Services, Director
Ashley Fielding Office of Legislative Affairs &
Communications, Director
Tanguler Gray-Johnson Division of Child Support
Services, Director
Terry Hamrick Inspector General
Renorta Heard Deputy Commissioner
Sharon Hill Division of Family & Children
Services, Director
Rachel King General Counsel
Venkat Krishnan Chief Information Officer
Arlanda Pickett Contracts & Procurement,
Acting Director
Demetrius Taylor Acting Chief Financial Officer
Lynn Vellinga Deputy Commissioner

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
The Georgia Department of Human Resources was created by the Georgia General Assembly in the Governmental Reorganization Act of 1972. The Act consolidated the Department of Public Health and the Department of Family and Children Services and other state human services programs. In 2009, DHS formerly known as the Department of Human Resources was renamed and restructured as the Department of Human Services (DHS). Programs associated with public and mental health were transitioned to new agencies.
DHS is currently comprised of three Program Divisions, including; Aging Services, Child Support Services, and Family and Children Services, and six Enterprise Support Functions, including; Legislative Affairs & Communications, Financial Services, General Counsel, Information Technology, Inspector General, and Contracts & Procurement.
DHS is responsible for the delivery of human services throughout the state. The department serves all Georgia citizens through regulatory inspection, direct service and financial assistance programs. The 8,000 employees manage over 60 programs in all 159 counties.
The DHS mission is to strengthen Georgia by providing individuals and families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults.
DHS CORE VALUES: Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and their families. Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect. Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency. Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer. Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.
DHS' budget for FY 2011 amended as authorized by the Georgia General Assembly was $1.8 billion. DHS' share of the total state appropriation was 4.6 percent.
DIVISIONS Division of Aging Services (DAS) administers a statewide system of services for older Georgians and adults with disabilities. These programs offer maximum independence and dignity for participants, especially the most vulnerable. The division provides in-home services to maintain independence; public education and outreach services; health promotion services; senior employment services and an ombudsman program for Georgians in long-term care. The division is responsible for investigation and protective services for vulnerable adults through Adult Protective Services (APS).
Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) helps children by enforcing parental responsibility to pay financial support. All Georgia families have access to DCSS services, which include assistance with locating non-custodial parents, confirming paternity, establishing and enforcing child support and medical support orders, and

collecting and distributing payments. DCSS also provides the Georgia Fatherhood Services Network and the Access and Visitation Program, both devoted to increasing non-custodial parent involvement in a child's life.
Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) serves as a resource for children and families and enable those families to become more self-sufficient. The division is made up of two primary bodies' of work: Child Welfare and the Office of Family Independence (OFI). Child Welfare encompasses Child Protective Services (CPS), Adoptions and Foster care. The Office of Family Independence oversees TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid and other self-sufficiency and family support activities.
The DHS Commissioner is appointed by, and accountable to, the State's Board of Human Services. The 9-member board is appointed by the Governor to provide general oversight of the agency's activities by establishing policy, approving agency goals and objectives, and other appropriate activities.