March 2008
Storm victims eligible for Food Stamps replacement benefits
March 31, 2008 – Food stamps recipients who lost food during the recent tornadoes are eligible for replacement benefits. The Division of Family and Children Services Food and Nutrition Program will replace food that was destroyed as a result of the storms that hit Fulton, Dekalb, Polk, Floyd, Bartow, Burke, and Jefferson counties. The replacement also includes food that was lost due to power outages for more than 48 hours.
Rome OCSS to host a Fathers and Families Job Fair
March 28, 2008 - On Thursday, April 3, 2008, the Rome Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will sponsor a job fair to provide parents new career opportunities and the chance to increase their wages. The job fair will be held at the Rome Library located at 205 Riverside Parkway in Rome, Georgia from 10:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. The job fair is open to all job seekers. Attendees are asked to dress professionally and to prepare to interview immediately on site.
OCSS’ virtual call center receives Governor's commendation
March 11, 2008 – The Office of Child Support Services’ Call Center received the Governor’s Commendation for Customer Service Excellence in January 2008. The Governor’s Commendation recognizes state employees who exemplify a consistent level of excellent customer service. These awards represent those employees with the best customer service that Georgia has to offer in the areas of courteous, helpful, accessible, knowledgeable and responsive service.
OCSS capitalizes on tax season
March 11, 2008 – The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) has turned this year’s tax season into an opportunity to maximize parental responsibility for individuals delinquent in payments. As a result, over $10 million has been collected in federal income tax refund offsets in 2007. OCSS intercepts tax refunds of those delinquent in child support through the Tax Offset Unit.
Nurse hiring fair held at Georgia Regional-Atlanta March 19
March 17, 2008 - Georgia Regional Hospital-Atlanta, administered under the Department of Human Resources (DHR), is conducting a hiring fair Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 3073 Panthersville Road in Decatur. Immediate hiring will take place for registered nurses including clinical nurses, nurse managers and nurse practitioners, in addition to licensed practical nurses. Full-time, part-time and PRN shifts are available. Georgia Regional Hospital-Atlanta primarily serves adults and children with mental health and substance abuse needs. Hospital representatives from these areas will be available to conduct on-site interviews.
$25 million given through LIHEAP for heating assistance
March 3, 2008 - So far this winter DHR's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has help more than 102,000 households with heating assistance by distributing more than $25 million in federal and state funds. There's more help on the way. More than 26,000 low-income Georgia households that use natural gas will be eligible to receive payments up to $250 each to help pay their winter heating bills. DHR has received a grant of more than $6.6 million from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for its energy assistance program. Only natural gas customers on the Atlanta Gas Light Company delivery system will be eligible for the current assistance.
Dekalb County OCSS to host a fathers and families job fair
March 18, 2008 - On Thursday, March 20, 2008, the DeKalb County Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will sponsor a job fair to provide parents new career opportunities and the chance to increase their wages. The job fair will be held at the DeKalb Technical College Conference Center located at 495 North Indian Creek Drive in Clarkton, Georgia from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The job fair is open to all job seekers. Attendees are asked to dress professionally and to prepare to interview immediately on site.
DHR warns employees about breach of confidential information
March 21, 2008 -The Georgia Department of Human Resources is taking extensive measures to alert current and former employees of a breach of confidential records that may expose personal employee information. As a precaution, DHR is urging current and former employees to carefully review all credit records and other financial account information. Employees potentially affected by the security breach will receive a letter from Rosa Waymon, Director of the Office of Human Resources Management and Development (OHRMD), explaining the situation and recommending they contact the three credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.
DHR urges older adults to practice safety to prevent the risk of falling
March 4, 2008 – Did you know falls are the leading cause of “injury deaths” for adults aged 65 and older? And that falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospitalization due to trauma? Nationally, thousands of older adults fall each year from hazards that can be prevented.
DHR urges older adults to live a healthier lifestyle
March 17, 2008 - If you haven't made plans for a healthier lifestyle this year, a good time to start is during National Nutrition Month in March. Studies show that about 40 percent of deaths in the nation can be attributed to smoking, poor diet, lack of physical activity, or misuse of alcohol. And that only about 25% of older Americans do at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, although being active reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Physical activity also helps control weight, relieves pain from arthritis, promotes healthy bones, muscles, and joints, and reduces falls in older adults.
DHR urges adults age 50 and older to get regular colorectal screenings
March 24, 2008 – Colorectal cancer is a preventable disease, but more than 148,800 cases will be diagnosed in 2008 and an estimated 49,960 people will die from the disease, according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths of men and women in the United States.
DHR saves taxpayers millions in public assistance fraud
March 12, 2008 - Public assistance programs like TANF and food stamps are crucial safety nets for needy families. However, because of vast need and availability of these programs (food stamps serve nearly 1 million Georgians each month) it may be inevitable that some people will try to cheat the system. But few get away with it. Last year the Office of Investigative Services investigated more than 9,000 cases of suspected fraud in TANF, food stamps, and subsidized childcare and established $8.7 million in fraudulent claims, all of which must be repaid. Food stamps cases made up the bulk of the fraudulent claims at $6 million, of which, nearly $5 million have been collected.
DHR recognizes National Nutrition Month
March 18, 2008 - During National Nutrition Month®, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health encourages citizens statewide to adopt healthier eating habits and incorporate exercise into their daily routine which may help reduce the risk for chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease. Poor diet and physical activity have also contributed to the rise in Georgia's obesity rate. Two out of every five adults (42 percent) in Georgia are regularly physically active and one in four (23 percent) consumes the minimum recommendation of 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Of the state's youth, 71 percent of middle school students and 61% of high school students are vigorously active. Only 18 percent of Georgia's high school students eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day.
DHR is providing information to older adults on the economic stimulus payments
March 31, 2008 – Many consumers are calling the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services (DAS) inquiring about the economic stimulus payment that the President signed into law in February to stimulate the economy. To receive the economic stimulus rebate, an individual must file an income tax return for 2007. DAS is providing information online and by telephone at 404-657-5319. The information will educate older adults, caregivers, and professionals in elder care on what the payment is, who is eligible, what forms to complete, when the forms are due, and what scams to watch for.
DHR Board to meet March 19, 2008 in Atlanta
March 17, 20008 - The Board of Human Resources will hold its official monthly meeting at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19th, in room 29.250, Two Peachtree Street N.W. in Atlanta, immediately following a review of the morning committee meetings.
In its official meeting the board will hear reports from Department of Human Resources (DHR) Commissioner B. J. Walker and Board Chair Dr. Mary Burns. In addition, the board will hear a Physician Credentials Committee report.
DFCS urges community to recognize signs of child abuse
March 31, 2008 – In Georgia there were more than 50,000 cases investigated for child abuse and/or neglect last year. And tragically, many more cases never get reported. Child Abuse Prevention Month is April, and the Division of Family and Children Services is making a statement statewide, to bring about more awareness.
DFCS focuses on case worker training during National Professional Social Work Month
March 26, 2008 - From child protective services to adoption to geriatrics. From disaster relief to substance abuse. In state and local agencies, courtrooms, hospitals, and schools - case workers and other social service workers get their due in March, National Professional Social Work Month. The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is making sure, through its Professional Excellence Program, that Georgia's case managers are well-trained in dealing with the challenging and complex family circumstances they face daily.
DFCS brings popular adoption party for foster kids to Gainesville
March 26, 2008 - The Division of Family and Children Services, DFCS, will bring its popular adoption party and video conference to Gainesville on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Georgia Mountains Center. The event, which is open to the public, is designed specifically for those who are considering adoption. Families and individuals will have the opportunity to get acquainted with a diverse group of children who need forever homes.
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