DHS: Furlough Plan Will Not Affect Critical Services

As the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) prepares to close operations on state-mandated furlough days, critical human services like child welfare and adult protective services will still be available throughout Georgia during the scheduled closings.

DHS will close offices on 12 separate days between September 2009 and June 2010. All but two of those days will be Fridays in order to have the minimum impact on the availability of services. Although DHS offices will be closed on furlough days, the public can still gain access to virtual services by visiting www.dhs.georgia.gov. In addition, DHS employees will still receive reports of child or elder abuse.

“Taking these furlough days is the best way to address Georgia’s budget shortfall while avoiding massive layoffs,” said DHS Commissioner B.J. Walker. “But even on the few days when our physical offices must close, we will be vigilant for Georgia’s children and elders who need protection.”

During furlough days, the procedure for reporting child or elder abuse remains the same. If a child or older adult is in immediate danger, call 911 immediately. In all other cases, child abuse, neglect or exploitation concerns should be reported to the DFCS office in the county where the child lives. A list of DFCS offices is available at the DFCS web site at http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/.

Non-emergency reports of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation should be made by calling the Adult Protective Services (APS) Central Intake Unit toll-free at (888) 774-0152. Metro Atlanta residents can call (404) 657-5250.

DHS offices will close on the following days:

● Friday, September 4, 2009
● Friday, October 9, 2009
● Wednesday, November 25, 2009
● Thursday, December 31, 2009
● Friday, January 8, 2010
● Friday, February 5, 2010
● Friday, March 5, 2010
● Friday, April 2, 2010
● Friday, May 7, 2010
● Friday, May 21, 2010
● Friday, June 4, 2010
● Friday, June 18, 2010
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