GEORGIA DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES

CHILD WELFARE POLICY MANUAL

Chapter:

(9) Eligibility

Policy
Title:
Policy
Number:

IV-E and Voluntary Surrender of

Parental Rights
9.8

Effective
Date:

August 2014

Previous
Policy #:

1002.24
1003.8

CODES/ REFERENCES
O.C.G.A. 19-8-4
REQUIREMENTS
For a child entering care through a Voluntary Surrender to be eligible for IV-E Adoption
Assistance, DFCS shall:
1. Initiate the process to obtain a judicial determination within six months of the childs
removal that continued placement is in the best interest or that remaining in the home is
contrary to the welfare of the child; and
2. Hold a permanency plan hearing at least every 12 months until the child is adopted and
the placement is finalized. (See policy 3.1 Legal: The Juvenile Court Process)
DFCS shall maintain the same rights and duties of a child released through a Voluntary
Surrender that they have if the parental rights had been terminated by the court. The parent
may be obligated to pay child support until such time as the adoption is finalized.
NOTE: Voluntary surrenders do not affect the child receiving Social Security
Survivors/Disability benefits on the birth parents account.
PROCEDURES
For a child entering care via a Voluntary Surrender, the Social Services Case Manager (SSCM)
will:
1. Ensure that all required forms for the surrender are properly executed; (See policy 3.12
Legal: Voluntary Surrender of Parental Rights)
2. Complete the Medicaid and IV-E Application for Foster Care in the GA Statewide
Automated Child Welfare System (Georgia SHINES);
3. Submit the completed Medicaid and IV-E applications to the Revenue Maximization (Rev
Max) Specialist via Georgia SHINES;
4. Petition to obtain a judicial determination within six months of the childs removal that
continued placement is in the best interest or that remaining in the home is contrary to
the welfare of the child;
5. Ensure a permanency plan hearing is held at least every 12 months until an adoption is
finalized; (See policy 3.1 Legal: The Juvenile Court Process)
6. When a permanency plan hearing is held, request that the court review:
a. The circumstances of the child;
b. The child-specific recruitment strategies used such as the use of state, regional
and national adoption exchanges and/or electronic exchanges; and

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c. Any other steps taken by DFCS or the State Adoptions Unit to pursue a
permanent home for this child.
PRACTICE GUIDANCE
Children who enter care via Voluntary Surrender rarely become eligible to receive IV-E Foster
Care payments. The only exception would occur if a child had been living with a parent(s) within
six months of the date court proceedings were initiated to judicially remove the child
subsequent to a Voluntary Surrender. The required judicial determination of contrary to the
welfare or best interest and reasonable efforts to prevent removal must be obtained within
six (6) months of the childs entry into care for IV-E foster care payments.
The Juvenile Court Code does not require the County Department to prepare and submit an
annual status report to the court. The court is advised of agency efforts to seek a permanent
placement for the child at the required permanency plan hearings and through periodic judicial
review of the case plan.
FORMS AND TOOLS

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