Presentation to: Board of the Department of Human Services

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Chapter 290-1-8-.02
Consumer Reports (Credit Reports) to be Obtained
for Youth in Foster Care.
. Presentation to Board of the Department of
Human Services Presenters Harold Johnson, Office
of General Counsel Date June 17, 2015
Georgia Department of Human Services
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Vision, Mission and Core Values

• Vision
• Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia.
• Mission
• Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and
  Families access to services that promote
  self-sufficiency, independence, and protect
  Georgia's vulnerable children and adults.
• 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.

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PL 113-183

• Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening
  Families Act Section 113 (b) (2) (B)
• Amended 42 USC Section 675 (5) (I)
• September 29, 2015

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Requirements

• Two-Fold
• Provide a credit report to youth in Foster Care
  annually.
• Assist youth with interpreting the report and
  correcting any inaccuracies in the report.

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Requirements

• Previously, the Department was asked to provide
  this report to youth who had obtained 16 years of
  age
• The amendment now requires that this report and
  assistance be provided to youth who have obtained
  14 years of age.

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290-1-8-.02

• In order to comply with Section 106(b) of the
  federal Child and Family Services Improvement and
  Innovation Act (P. L. 112-34), Section 475(5)(I)
  of Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, 42
  U.S.C.A. Section 675(5)(I), as amended, and to
  meet the requirements for the receipt of federal
  funds under Title IV-E of the Social Security
  Act, the Department is authorized to obtain for
  each child in foster care under the
  responsibility of the state, who has attained
  sixteen (16) fourteen (14) years of age, a copy
  of any consumer report (as defined in Section
  603(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USCS
  Section 1681a(d)), pertaining to the child each
  year until the child is discharged from the
  custody of the Department. The Department shall
  obtain such consumer reports as are required by
  the federal Department of Health and Human
  Services to receive federal funds under title
  IV-E of the Social Security Act. Each consumer
  report is to be provided without cost to the
  child.
• Pursuant to its policies and procedures, the
  Department shall further ensure that each child
  in foster care under the responsibility of the
  state and who has attained sixteen (16) fourteen
  (14) years of age receives assistance (including,
  but not limited to, any court-appointed advocate
  for the child) in interpreting and resolving any
  inaccuracies in the report.

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Outcome

• The Department will now have the opportunity to
  begin credit monitoring for our youth at an
  earlier stage and will be afforded the
  opportunity to assist youth with resolving any
  inaccuracies on their credit reports at an
  earlier time.

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Cost?

• Adoption of these rule amendments do not impose
  excessive regulatory cost on any client and any
  cost to comply with the proposed amendment cannot
  be reduced by a less expensive alternative that
  fully accomplishes the duties required by Section
  475(5)(I) of Title IV-E of the Social Security
  Act.

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Questions?

• Harold Johnson, Interim General Counsel
• Harold.Johnson_at_dhs.ga.gov
• (404) 651- 6310
• Office of General Counsel
• 2 Peachtree Street, 29-201
• Atlanta, GA 30303