INNOVATIVE Customer Service & Outreach Programs Georgia Department of Human Services About the Georgia Department of Human Services The Georgia Department of Human Services delivers a wide range of services designed to promote self-sufficiency, safety and well-being for all Georgians. The Department serves approximately 2 million Georgians with more than 9,000 employees and an annual budget of approximately $1.9 billion in state fiscal year 2018. The Department serves Georgians through its three divisions -- Aging Services, Child Support Services and Family and Children Services. Introduction The Department of Human Services is Georgia's largest state agency, touching the lives of 1 in 5 Georgians each year. Through our divisions of Aging Services, Child Support Services and Family and Children Services, we offer support that empowers individuals and families to be independent and live their best lives. To realize the Department's vision of strengthening Georgia by strengthening its families, we must engage with the private sector to make Georgians more employable and to increase their access to employment. The Department also understands that the state must plan for growth and use technology to modernize its services so that Georgia can remain the No. 1 state to do business. Highlighted in this document are initiatives and programs that make Georgia more attractive to employers and opportunities for partnerships that help our most vulnerable residents become employable, empowered members of our communities. Together, we will make Georgia stronger. Contents Georgia Memory Net 4 Georgia Gateway 5 DCSS On the Go 6 Child Support Services Employer Hub 7 Corporate Partnership Opportunities 8 Supporting low-income adults 8 Supporting youth in foster care 8 Supporting parents paying child support 9 Supporting seniors 9 Contact Information 10 3 Georgia Memory Net Georgia Memory Net--a partnership between the state of Georgia and Emory University--seeks to build a statewide network of care for those dealing with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, and supports working Georgians who are trying to get their loved ones the care they deserve. The initiative increases access to care, and improves the quality of care for a disease that affects 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 65. Services: Locations: 60% Percentage of caregivers who are also employed Diagnostic expertise and care planning Patient and caregiver support and education Linkage to communitybased support Coordination with primary care providers Atlanta Augusta Macon Columbus Albany With the launch of Georgia Memory Net, all Georgians will be within an hour and a half drive of a Memory Assessment Center. 61% Goals Percentage of caregivers who report having experienced at least one impact or change to their employment situation as a result of their caregiving responsibilities, including cutting back on working hours and taking a leave of absence Improve assessments at Annual Wellness Visits Diagnose accurately at Memory Assessment Clinics Coordinate care with primary care physicians and community services 190,000 Projected number of Georgians living with Alzheimer's by 2025 ProvPidroevoidveerosvigehrstight aannddeevvaaluluaatitoionnooff peprfeorfromramnacnecaenadnddadtaata colcleocllteiocntion 4 Georgia Gateway Georgia Gateway is a state-of-the-art system designed with working Georgians in mind. The system streamlines the application process for those seeking assistance with child care, medical care and those who need help feeding their families. The system supports benefit programs managed by multiple state agencies--reducing paperwork, time spent in local offices and on the phone with case managers--and makes it so Georgians can get back to work. Georgia Gateway integrates benefits eligibility for five social benefit programs: 1 SNAP / Food Stamps Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 2 WIC Women, Infants and Children 3 CAPS Childcare and Parent Services 4 TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 5 MA Medical Assistance Programs Features: Systemwide scanning prior to case processing enhances anti-fraud capabilities by flagging duplicate information across multiple cases for review Eligibility verification data--such as pay stubs--are now shared across program agencies, cutting down on duplicative filings and reducing the chances of fraud or error Allows caseworkers to see customers' active or pending cases with other agencies, strengthening their ability to better refer families for other services Expands the ease with which customers manage their benefits-- online uploading and office kiosks give customers the ability to manage their own cases, freeing caseworkers to provide better customer service and to process cases $1.70 Every $1 issued in SNAP benefits generates $1.70 in economic activity Gives customers a one-stop-shop system across all Georgia Gateway programs, saving them time and effort in managing their benefits 714,772 Average number of households that received SNAP / food stamps each month in 2018 Gateway 828,779 Average number of Georgia families receiving Medicaid services each month in 2018 5 Division of Child Support Services On the Go DCSS On the Go puts everything Georgians need to manage their child support cases in the palm of their hands. The full-service mobile application allows around-the-clock access to case information, makes it easy for customers to submit payments and receive case updates. This reduces the need for Georgians to take leave from their jobs to address child support issues. Georgia is the first state to deploy a full-service mobile application to serve individuals with state-administered child support cases. Services: Make a child support payment Review payment history View scheduled appointments Upload documents Receive notifications and alerts Employer Benefits: Around-the-clock access to case information reduces lost productivity hours, as employees are less likely to need to take leave to address child support issues Options to request driver's license release get Georgians back in compliance and on the road DCSS On the Go is available for download on Apple and Android devices. 219,900+ Number of downloads* 104,400+ Number of active users* 31,100+ *Numbers as of 1/2019 Number of documents uploaded through the app* 6 Division of Child Support Services Employer Hub A positive partnership between the state child support division and Georgia's employers is an important step in building stronger families, especially as 53 percent of child support cases are paid through Federal Income Withholding Orders. In an effort to support employers involved in the process, Georgia has opened an Employer Hub. The Employer Hub serves as a single point of contact for employers, giving them access to customer service agents who can help them comply with income withholding orders. Employer Benefits: Employer-focused customer service center Streamlined paperwork for federal income withholding and income deduction Support for employers seeking to automate electronic income wage withholding Improved communication about services available for employees struggling to meet their obligations Educational opportunities to increase employers' understanding of child support processes, including lump sum garnishments and requirements for medical support Convenient access through email, fax, chat, phone and scheduled callbacks $737M Amount distributed to Georgia's children through Division of Child Support Services in Federal Fiscal Year 2018 527,927 Children served through Child Support Services in Federal Fiscal Year 2018 7 Corporate Partnership Opportunities Building a Stronger Georgia means making sure even the most vulnerable residents are able to provide for their families. Partnerships between the state and the corporate community increase job opportunities and job readiness for Georgians seeking a better life. The Department is specifically seeking partnerships with employers to support the following initiatives: Supporting low-income adults The SNAP Works program is designed to provide able-bodied adults without dependent children with opportunities to gain skills, training or experience that will improve employment prospects and reduce reliance on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Participants are: Between 18 to 49 years of age Mentally and physically able to work Not pregnant Not receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as the result of caring for a minor child Contact: Tatrina Young | 404-463-0877 | tatrina.young@dhs.ga.gov Supporting youth in foster care The TeenWork program is a subsidized eight-week hands-on summer work experience for youth between the ages of 16-17 and who are in Georgia's foster care system. The program seeks to: Support youth as they prepare to transition to adulthood and independence Equip youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to become well-balanced and self-sufficient members of society Contact: Tony Turner | 404-657-4719 | tony.turner@dhs.ga.gov Employer Benefits Job-ready applicants who are bonded for hire Employees whose training costs and salaries are federally subsidized 8 Corporate Partnership Opportunities Supporting parents paying child support The Fatherhood program works with parents who are unemployed or underemployed and are not able to pay their full child support obligations as a result. The program connects parents with resources that lead to jobs paying above minimum wage, greater self-sufficiency and more emotional and financial involvement in the lives of their children. Georgia has the only statewide program in the United States. The program provides: Referrals for GED program, short-term training, resume writing Referrals to programs that support access and visitation Job training and coaching Contact: Kiska Dennis-Gear | 404-657-1128 | kiska.dennis-gear@dhs.ga.gov The Parental Accountability Court program is an alternative to incarceration for chronic non-payers of child support. Under judicial oversight, participants may receive assistance with substance abuse treatment; job assistance and placement; short-term training, coaching and mentoring; education services and enrollment into the Georgia Work Ready program. Parents court ordered to pay child support with pending arrest orders or identified as being in contempt (scheduled for court) of an established order are ideal candidates for the Parental Accountability Court program. The program seeks to address barriers that keep these parents from meeting their court ordered support obligations as an alternative to incarceration. Contact: Wende Parker | 404-656-1733 | wende.parker@dhs.ga.gov Supporting seniors The Senior Community Service Employment Program provides temporary subsidized on-the-job training for older adults looking to re-enter the job market. The program also assists older workers in their search for employment in their communities. Provides paid training opportunities for participants Provides on-the-job experience Contact: Almaz Akalewold | 404-657-5332 | almaz.akalewold@dhs.ga.gov Highly motivated applicants Improved workforce capacity 9 Contact Information Employer Hub Katika Hambrick | 770-390-4224 | katika.hambrick@dhs.ga.gov SNAP Works Program Tatrina Young | 404-463-0877 | tatrina.young@dhs.ga.gov TeenWork Program Tony Turner | 404-657-4719 | tony.turner@dhs.ga.gov Fatherhood Program Kiska Dennis-Gear | 404-657-1128 | kiska.dennis-gear@dhs.ga.gov Parental Accountability Court Program Wende Parker | 404-656-1733 | wende.parker@dhs.ga.gov Senior Employment Almaz Akalewold | 404-657-5332 | almaz.akalewold@dhs.ga.gov For additional information, assistance or questions, please contact: Georgia Department of Human Services | Office of Legislative Affairs & Outreach 2 Peachtree St., NW, 29th Floor | Atlanta, GA 30303 csr.corporate@dhs.ga.gov For division and office contact information, visit dhs.ga.gov 10 Georgia Department of Human Services | dhs.ga.gov Georgia Department of Human Services | dhs.ga.gov