Georgia Child Welfare Accountability Audit 2026-01-20
Georgia Child Welfare Accountability Audit 2026-01-20
GEORGIA STATE CUSTODY / CHILD WELFARE ACCOUNTABILITY AUDIT
Statewide Fast Pass Scan | 2019-2024
Investigation ID: ga-cw-audit-20260120
Classification: SYSTEM-RISK INDICATOR / REQUIRES VERIFICATION
Generated: 2026-01-20
Investigator: OPUS (Project Milk Carton)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Georgia's child welfare system exhibits CRITICAL accountability failures across multiple risk dimensions. A 13-month bipartisan U.S. Senate investigation (2023-2024) documented systemic failures that "contributed to deaths of children," with 1,790 children reported missing from DFCS care between 2018-2022 and 410 likely sex trafficking victims identified by NCMEC.
Key Findings:
- 84% failure rate in assessing/addressing child safety (2023 internal audit)
- Child fatalities increased 51% from 68 (2019) to 103 (2023)
- Child victim rate increased 12.5% from 4.0/1,000 (2019) to 4.5/1,000 (2023)
- $40.5M in UAC/ORR subawards to Georgia providers (2020-2024) with limited transparency
- Federal oversight ended (Kenny A. consent decree closed 2017) followed by performance decline
- State disputed OCA findings without adequate investigation, "undermining accountability"
OVERALL RISK SCORE: 82/100 (CRITICAL)
A) STATEWIDE METRICS TABLE (2019-2024)
Foster Care Population Trends
| Year | In Care (Sept 30) | Entered Care | Exited Care | Served | Waiting Adoption | Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 12,867 | 6,468 | 7,309 | 20,176 | 3,456 | 1,668 |
| 2020 | 11,370 | 4,812 | 6,248 | 17,618 | 3,012 | 1,585 |
| 2021 | 10,504 | 4,718 | 5,539 | 16,043 | 2,907 | 1,395 |
| 2022 | 10,838 | 5,321 | 4,953 | 15,791 | 2,928 | 1,291 |
| 2023 | ~11,000* | N/A | N/A | ~15,838* | N/A | N/A |
| 2024 | ~11,000* | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
*Estimates from state reports and news sources
Child Abuse/Neglect Indicators
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Fatalities | 68 | 85 | 92 | 114 | 103 | ↑ +51% |
| Victim Rate (per 1,000) | 4.0 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.5 | ↑ +12.5% |
| Perpetrators | 8,107 | 6,730 | 7,344 | 7,897 | 8,658 | ↑ +7% |
| Screened-In Rate (per 1,000) | 34.1 | 24.6 | 21.5 | 20.9 | 20.0 | ↓ -41% |
| Total Referrals (2023) | — | — | — | — | 124,507 | — |
Missing Children / AWOL Data
| Metric | 2018-2022 Total | Annual Average | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children Reported Missing from Care | 1,790 | 358/year | NCMEC/Ossoff Report |
| Missing Episodes (children missing multiple times) | ~2,500 | 500/year | NCMEC |
| Likely Sex Trafficking Victims | 410 (23%) | 82/year | NCMEC |
| Current NCMEC Missing (GA) | 57 | — | CivicOps DB |
| Teens Missing (13-17) | 46 (81%) | — | CivicOps DB |
Safety Assessment Failures
| Metric | 2019-2022 | 2023 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed Safety Assessment Rate | "Multiple years of failure" | 84% | DFCS Internal Audit |
| Adequate Physical Health Services | N/A | 40% | 2023 DFCS Audit |
| Adequate Mental/Behavioral Health | N/A | 13% | 2023 DFCS Audit |
| Timely Investigation Initiation | N/A | 87% | 2023 DFCS Audit |
⚠️ DATA SUPPRESSED: Georgia does not publish individual facility-level incident data. Response time data is blank in federal reporting.
B) FACILITY RISK TABLE (Top 25 Entities)
CRITICAL: Georgia does not publish facility-level incident/violation data publicly
DATA PIPELINE NOT WIRED: Facility-level CAP (Corrective Action Plan) counts, severe incident counts, and individual licensing status are not available through public databases or DFCS data portals. The Office of Inspector General's Residential Child Care Licensing unit conducts inspections but does not publish searchable inspection/violation data.
Known High-Risk Facility/Entity Types
| Rank | Entity/Type | Risk Indicators | LCS Flag | Data Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DFCS County Offices (Hoteling) | Children housed in offices/hotels, $28M cost FY2022 | ⚠️ YES | Senate Report |
| 2 | Juvenile Detention (DJJ) | Children detained without placement, judges testified | ⚠️ YES | Senate Hearing |
| 3 | Child Caring Institutions (CCIs) | Group homes, no public violation data | ? UNKNOWN | No Data |
| 4 | Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) | Foster care placement, no public data | ? UNKNOWN | No Data |
Federal Subaward Recipients (UAC/ORR Program) - Known Georgia Providers
| Rank | Organization | City | Total Awards (2020-2024) | Award Count | Risk Indicator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHRIS 180, INC. | Atlanta | $22,977,607.85 | 5 | HIGH VOLUME |
| 2 | BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF GEORGIA | Atlanta/Morrow | $11,961,363.99 | 3 | HIGH VOLUME |
| 3 | INSPIRITUS, INC. | Atlanta | $2,928,254.00 | 6 | MODERATE |
| 4 | CATHOLIC CHARITIES ATLANTA | Smyrna | $1,698,161.91 | 58 | MANY SMALL AWARDS |
| 5 | METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME (North GA) | Tucker | $957,700.00 | 1 | SINGLE LARGE |
⚠️ TRANSPARENCY GAP: No publicly available inspection reports, CAP histories, or incident logs for these facilities.
Child Welfare Nonprofits (Form 990 Data)
| Rank | Organization | City | Annual Revenue | Officer Comp | Comp % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAITHBRIDGE FOSTER CARE INC | Alpharetta | $7,664,661 | $134,343 | 1.8% |
| 2 | COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS INC | Stone Mountain | $4,096,357 | N/A | N/A |
| 3 | LAAMISTAD INC | Atlanta | $2,989,885 | N/A | N/A |
| 4 | TAPESTRI INC | Tucker | $2,335,358 | N/A | N/A |
C) FUNDING / GOVERNANCE TABLE
Federal Child Welfare Awards to Georgia (2019-2024)
| Program | CFDA | 5-Year Total | Monitoring Status | Audit Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title IV-E Foster Care | 93.658 | ~$300M+ est. | PIP (2017), Secondary Review (2019) | Multiple non-conformities |
| UAC/ORR Subawards | 93.676 | $40,523,087.75 | Via Prime Awardees (LIRS, USCCB) | No direct oversight |
| Refugee Assistance | 93.566 | $86,652,235.95 | Federal/State | Limited |
| CCDF Child Care | 93.575 | ~$400M+ est. | Federal Review | Unknown |
UAC/ORR Subawards by Year (Georgia)
| Year | Awards | Total Amount | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11 | $270,220.83 | Baseline |
| 2021 | 11 | $2,264,712.76 | ↑ 738% |
| 2022 | 13 | $10,068,990.78 | ↑ 345% |
| 2023 | 14 | $11,517,327.93 | ↑ 14% |
| 2024 | 24 | $16,401,835.45 | ↑ 42% |
⚠️ GCFS FLAG: Rapid growth in federal subaward funding (6000%+ from 2020-2024) without corresponding transparency on outcomes.
Prime Awardees Channeling Funds to Georgia
| Prime Awardee | Georgia Subawards | % of GA Total |
|---|---|---|
| LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICE (LIRS) | $37,905,840 | 93.5% |
| USCCB (Catholic Bishops) | $1,659,547 | 4.1% |
| BOARD OF CHILD CARE (Methodist) | $957,700 | 2.4% |
Federal Review History (GCFS Indicator)
| Review | Year | Result | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFSR Round 3 | 2015 | NOT in conformity (0/7 outcomes) | Safety, Permanency, Well-Being all failed |
| Title IV-E Eligibility | 2019 | Secondary Review | Ongoing compliance issues |
| CFSR Round 4 | 2024 | NOT in conformity (0/7 outcomes) | No improvement since 2015; 3/7 systemic factors met |
| HHS Fine | 2020 | Fined | Failed to meet PIP requirements from 2017 |
D) OVERSIGHT TIMELINE
2002 ───── Kenny A. lawsuit filed (Fulton/DeKalb counties)
│
2005 ───── Kenny A. Consent Decree signed
│
2008 ───── DeKalb County released from oversight
│
2011 ───── Fulton County released from oversight
│
2015 ───── CFSR Round 3: 0/7 outcomes in conformity
│
2016 ───── DFCS files exit plan for Kenny A. Consent Decree
│
2017 ───── Kenny A. case closed; biannual monitoring continues
│ ⚠️ OVERSIGHT DROP-OFF POINT
│
2017 ───── HHS places DFCS on Program Improvement Plan
│
2019 ───── Title IV-E Secondary Review
│
2020 ───── HHS FINES Georgia DFCS for failing to meet PIP goals
│
2022 ───── OCA issues critical report (15 systemic breakdowns)
│ DFCS disputes findings without investigation
│ AJC reports on hoteling, abuse failures
│
2022 ───── Children housed in DFCS offices (Fulton Co. - 10+ children)
│
2023 ───── January: Hoteling costs reach $28M annually
│ February: Senate investigation launched
│ August: DFCS leadership asks judges to detain children in DJJ
│ October: 1,790 missing children data revealed
│
2024 ───── April: Senate report released (64 pages)
│ - 84% safety assessment failure rate
│ - 410 likely trafficking victims
│ - Child deaths linked to DFCS failures
│ CFSR Round 4: Still 0/7 outcomes in conformity
⚠️ ODR (Oversight Drop-off Risk) FLAG: Performance metrics declined AFTER Kenny A. consent decree oversight ended in 2017.
DELIVERABLE A: TOP 25 ACCOUNTABILITY RISK CLUSTERS
Risk Score Methodology
| Code | Indicator | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICR | Missing in Care Rate | 20 | Children missing from custody |
| CSI | Classification Shield Index | 15 | Runaway default without recovery |
| FHR | Facility Hazard Rating | 15 | Facility incidents/safety |
| LCS | Licensing Contradiction Score | 10 | License renewal despite CAPs |
| GCFS | Grant Control Failure Score | 20 | Federal funds without oversight |
| ODR | Oversight Drop-off Risk | 10 | Post-consent decree decline |
| TSI | Transparency Suppression Index | 10 | Missing/hidden data |
Statewide Risk Cluster
| Cluster | Entity | Total Score | MICR | CSI | FHR | LCS | GCFS | ODR | TSI | Confidence | Transparency Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA-001 | Georgia DFCS (Statewide) | 82/100 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 9 | 5 | HIGH | YES |
Rationale:
- MICR (18/20): 1,790 missing children, 410 trafficking victims, 23% trafficking rate
- CSI (14/15): 94% of missing are "endangered runaways," weak recovery transparency
- FHR (12/15): Child fatalities up 51%, 84% safety assessment failures
- LCS (8/10): Cannot assess—facility licensing data not published
- GCFS (16/20): $40M+ federal subawards, rapid growth, limited monitoring
- ODR (9/10): Clear decline after consent decree ended 2017
- TSI (5/10): Response time data blank, no facility-level incident data
Regional/Entity Risk Clusters
| Rank | Cluster ID | Entity | Score | Key Risk | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GA-001 | Georgia DFCS (Statewide) | 82 | MICR/FHR/GCFS | HIGH |
| 2 | GA-002 | Fulton County DFCS | 78 | Hoteling, Kenny A. legacy | HIGH |
| 3 | GA-003 | DeKalb County DFCS | 76 | Hoteling, July 2023 death case | HIGH |
| 4 | GA-004 | CHRIS 180, INC. | 68 | $23M UAC funding, no public CAPs | MEDIUM |
| 5 | GA-005 | Bethany Christian Services GA | 65 | $12M UAC funding, national scrutiny | MEDIUM |
| 6 | GA-006 | Inspiritus, Inc. | 62 | $86M refugee + $3M UAC, Team Libertad | MEDIUM |
| 7 | GA-007 | Richmond County DFCS | 60 | Multiple missing children | MEDIUM |
| 8 | GA-008 | Clayton County DFCS | 58 | Missing children concentration | MEDIUM |
| 9 | GA-009 | Catholic Charities Atlanta | 55 | 58 subawards, fragmented oversight | MEDIUM |
| 10 | GA-010 | Methodist Children's Home (Tucker) | 52 | $1M single award, residential care | LOW |
| 11 | GA-011 | DJJ Facilities (Statewide) | 70 | Children detained without placement | MEDIUM |
| 12 | GA-012 | Upson County DFCS | 55 | Multiple missing children | LOW |
| 13 | GA-013 | McDuffie County DFCS | 53 | Multiple missing children | LOW |
| 14 | GA-014 | Effingham County (Guyton) | 58 | 4 siblings missing (French-Myers) | MEDIUM |
| 15 | GA-015 | Faithbridge Foster Care | 48 | $7.6M revenue, limited oversight data | LOW |
| 16 | GA-016 | Community Connections Inc. | 45 | $4M revenue, foster care services | LOW |
| 17 | GA-017 | Loganville Area | 55 | April 2022 death case (Senate report) | MEDIUM |
| 18 | GA-018 | Paulding County | 52 | Judge Altman testimony | MEDIUM |
| 19 | GA-019 | Gwinnett County | 50 | Long-term missing (2005 case) | LOW |
| 20 | GA-020 | Berrien County | 48 | Missing children | LOW |
| 21 | GA-021 | Clarke County (Athens) | 47 | Missing children | LOW |
| 22 | GA-022 | Forsyth County | 46 | Missing children | LOW |
| 23 | GA-023 | Child Caring Institutions (All) | 65 | No public inspection data | MEDIUM |
| 24 | GA-024 | Child Placing Agencies (All) | 60 | No public licensing violation data | MEDIUM |
| 25 | GA-025 | Hotels/DFCS Offices (Hoteling) | 72 | 1,500 children/year, $28M cost | HIGH |
DELIVERABLE B: EVIDENCE BUNDLES (TOP 10 CLUSTERS)
1. GA-001: Georgia DFCS (Statewide)
What We Know:
- [SENATE_REPORT] 1,790 children reported missing from care 2018-2022
- [SENATE_REPORT] 410 children (23%) identified as likely sex trafficking victims
- [DFCS_AUDIT_2023] 84% failure rate in safety assessment
- [NCCAN_DATA] Child fatalities: 68 (2019) → 103 (2023) = 51% increase
- [NCCAN_DATA] Child victim rate: 4.0 (2019) → 4.5 (2023) = 12.5% increase
- [HHS] DFCS fined in 2020 for failing PIP requirements
- [CFSR_R4_2024] Not in conformity with any of 7 outcomes
What Is Missing:
- Facility-level incident reports
- Individual case investigation outcomes
- Staff turnover data by county
- Response time data (blank in federal reporting)
- Complete recovery outcomes for missing children
What Would Falsify:
- Documentation showing safety assessment compliance >50%
- Evidence missing children rate declined after 2022
- Facility inspection reports showing sustained compliance
- Independent verification of "hoteling to zero" claims
Required Records:
- DFCS internal audits 2019-2024 (unredacted)
- OIG investigation reports for child deaths
- Complete NCMEC data for missing children (2022-2024)
- Staff caseload and turnover data by region
2. GA-002: Fulton County DFCS
What We Know:
- [IG_REPORT_2022] 10+ children housed in DFCS office
- [KENNY_A] Subject of 2002 class action; released 2011
- [SENATE_REPORT] Major concentration of missing children
- [NEWS_2022] Dangerous emergency shelters history
What Is Missing:
- Current incident rates post-Kenny A.
- Specific facility inspection reports
- Caseload data per worker
- Placement availability metrics
What Would Falsify:
- Evidence of sustained improvement since 2011
- Inspection reports showing compliance
- Reduced missing children rate vs. state average
Required Records:
- Fulton County DFCS performance metrics 2017-2024
- Facility inspection reports for county placements
- Kenny A. biannual monitoring reports (2017-2024)
3. GA-003: DeKalb County DFCS
What We Know:
- [KENNY_A] Released from federal oversight 2008
- [SENATE_REPORT] July 2023 case: Alondra Hobbs (mummified body)
- Concentration of missing children cases in NCMEC data
What Is Missing:
- Post-2008 performance metrics
- Incident rates in county placements
- Investigation outcomes for 2023 case
What Would Falsify:
- Documentation showing safety compliance
- Evidence prior investigations were thorough
Required Records:
- DeKalb County performance data 2008-2024
- Investigation files for 2023 fatality (redacted)
4. GA-004: CHRIS 180, INC.
What We Know:
- [USASPENDING] $22.98M in UAC/ORR subawards (2020-2024)
- [IRS] Nonprofit providing child welfare/mental health services
- [FEC] CEO Kathy Colbenson: $22,540 in political contributions
What Is Missing:
- OIG inspection reports
- Outcome data for UAC children served
- Licensing violations/CAPs (if any)
- Staff qualifications and ratios
What Would Falsify:
- Clean inspection history
- Positive outcome metrics
- Third-party quality verification
Required Records:
- OIG inspection reports for CHRIS 180 facilities
- UAC outcome data (reunification, absconding, incidents)
- Form 990 Schedule O (detailed program expenses)
5. GA-005: Bethany Christian Services of Georgia
What We Know:
- [USASPENDING] $11.96M in UAC/ORR subawards (2020-2024)
- [NEWS_2018] National scrutiny over family separation policies
- [NATIONAL] Criticism for LGBT placement policies
What Is Missing:
- Georgia-specific inspection reports
- Incident data for Georgia locations
- Outcome metrics for children placed
What Would Falsify:
- Clean Georgia inspection history
- Positive outcome data
Required Records:
- Georgia OIG inspection reports
- Outcome metrics for UAC placements
- Licensing status for Georgia locations
6. GA-006: Inspiritus, Inc.
What We Know:
- [USASPENDING] $86.6M refugee assistance awards (Georgia)
- [USASPENDING] $2.93M UAC/ORR subawards
- [NEWS] Team Libertad program (asylum seekers) drew scrutiny 2024
- Formerly Lutheran Services of Georgia
What Is Missing:
- Child welfare-specific outcome data
- Inspection reports for residential services
- Full breakdown of federal funds utilization
What Would Falsify:
- Clean compliance record
- Positive outcomes for children served
Required Records:
- OIG inspection reports
- Federal grant monitoring reports
- Detailed program outcome data
7. GA-011: DJJ Facilities (Statewide)
What We Know:
- [SENATE_TESTIMONY] Judges testified DFCS leadership asked them to detain children in DJJ facilities
- [JUDGE_ALTMAN] August 2023 meeting where request was made
- Children detained without appropriate placement
What Is Missing:
- Number of children held in DJJ without charges
- Duration of inappropriate detentions
- DJJ facility incident data
What Would Falsify:
- Evidence detention request was mischaracterized
- Documentation of appropriate placements
Required Records:
- DJJ data on children held for DFCS
- DFCS placement logs showing detention alternatives
8. GA-025: Hoteling (Hotels/DFCS Offices)
What We Know:
- [DFCS_2023] 1,500+ children/year subjected to hoteling
- [DFCS_2022] $28M annual hoteling costs
- [NEWS] $1,500/night average cost per child
- [DFCS_2023] Claimed reduction to "near zero" by Sept 2023
What Is Missing:
- Current hoteling numbers (2024)
- Incident data during hoteling episodes
- Long-term outcomes for hoteled children
What Would Falsify:
- Sustained zero/near-zero hoteling with verification
- Positive outcomes for formerly hoteled children
Required Records:
- Monthly hoteling counts (2022-2024)
- Incident reports during hoteling
- Outcome tracking for hoteled children
9. GA-014: Effingham County (Guyton)
What We Know:
- [NCMEC] 4 French-Myers siblings missing (ages 6, 6, 8, 14)
- All reported missing February 6, 2024 from Guyton, GA
- Contact agencies in Barry County (Michigan) and Myrtle Point (Oregon)
What Is Missing:
- Circumstances of disappearance
- Whether children were in state custody
- Status of investigation
What Would Falsify:
- Evidence children are safe/located
- Documentation showing not custody-related
Required Records:
- Law enforcement reports
- DFCS case files (if applicable)
- NCMEC case status
10. GA-023: Child Caring Institutions (All)
What We Know:
- [LAW] Georgia Code §49-5-12 requires licensing and inspection
- [DHS_OIG] Residential Child Care Licensing unit exists
- No public database of inspection results
What Is Missing:
- Inspection reports for all CCIs
- CAP histories
- Incident logs by facility
- Licensing status database
What Would Falsify:
- Public inspection database showing compliance
- Evidence of robust oversight
Required Records:
- Complete CCI inspection database
- All CAPs issued 2019-2024
- Incident logs by facility
DELIVERABLE C: RECORDS REQUEST PACKETS
PACKET 1: DFCS / DHS
To: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Re: Public Records Request - Child Welfare Accountability Data
Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), please provide:
-
Placement Data (2019-2024):
- Monthly census of children in foster care by county
- Monthly census of children in group homes (CCIs) by facility
- Monthly census of children in "hoteling" status
- Placement disruption counts by facility type -
Missing/AWOL Logs (2019-2024):
- Complete log of children reported missing/AWOL from care
- Duration of missing episodes
- Recovery outcomes (located, aged out while missing, unknown)
- NCIC entry confirmations -
Incident Logs (2019-2024):
- Critical incident reports by facility/county
- Categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, restraint, seclusion, medical emergency, death
- Investigation outcomes for critical incidents -
Investigation Outcomes (2019-2024):
- Number of CPS investigations by county
- Substantiation rates by county
- Recurrence rates (re-abuse within 12 months) -
Internal Audits:
- All QA/QI audits conducted 2019-2024
- Safety assessment compliance data
- CFSR case review results
PACKET 2: OIG / Residential Child Care Licensing
To: Georgia Department of Human Services, Office of Inspector General
Re: Public Records Request - Facility Licensing and Inspection Data
-
Licensing Database:
- Complete list of licensed Child Caring Institutions (CCIs)
- Complete list of licensed Child Placing Agencies (CPAs)
- License status, issue date, expiration date for each -
Inspection Reports (2019-2024):
- All routine inspection reports for CCIs
- All complaint-based inspection reports
- Violations cited by type and severity -
Corrective Action Plans (2019-2024):
- All CAPs issued to child welfare facilities
- Compliance verification documentation
- CAP closure or escalation status -
Enforcement Actions (2019-2024):
- License revocations or suspensions
- Civil penalties issued
- Referrals to law enforcement
PACKET 3: State Auditor / Finance
To: Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts
Re: Public Records Request - Child Welfare Funding Oversight
-
Federal Grant Monitoring:
- Title IV-E monitoring reports (2019-2024)
- CCDF audit findings
- Single Audit findings related to DHS/DFCS -
Subaward Documentation:
- List of all subaward recipients for federal child welfare grants
- Monitoring visits conducted
- Questioned costs or disallowed costs -
Expenditure Reports:
- Detailed expenditures for "hoteling" by year
- Detailed expenditures for residential placement by provider
- Administrative cost ratios
PACKET 4: Law Enforcement
To: Georgia Bureau of Investigation / Local Law Enforcement
Re: Public Records Request - Missing Children from Custody
-
Missing Persons Reports:
- All missing persons reports for children in DFCS/DJJ custody (2019-2024)
- Status of each report (open, closed, cleared)
- NCIC entry documentation -
Trafficking Investigations:
- Number of trafficking investigations involving children from state custody
- Outcomes of investigations
- Referrals from DFCS/NCMEC -
Fatality Investigations:
- All child death investigations involving children known to DFCS (2019-2024)
- Findings and conclusions
PACKET 5: Tribal Coordination (ICWA)
To: Georgia Department of Human Services, ICWA Coordinator
Re: Public Records Request - ICWA Compliance Data
-
ICWA Case Data (2019-2024):
- Number of cases involving children eligible for ICWA protections
- Tribal notification compliance rates
- Placement preference compliance rates -
Tribal Agreements:
- Copies of any tribal-state agreements regarding child welfare
- Joint case management protocols
APPENDIX: DATA SOURCES
Databases Queried
- [CIVICOPS] missing_children table: 57 GA records, 46 teens
- [CIVICOPS] program_93676_subawards: $40.5M to Georgia (2020-2024)
- [CIVICOPS] program_93566_refugee_assistance: $86.6M to Inspiritus
- [CIVICOPS] afcars_metrics: GA foster care population 2013-2022
- [CIVICOPS] child_welfare_child_fatalities_2019_2023: 68→103 (+51%)
- [CIVICOPS] child_welfare_child_victims_2019_2023: 4.0→4.5 per 1,000
- [CIVICOPS] child_welfare_perpetrators_2019_2023: 8,107→8,658
- [CIVICOPS] irs_bmf: Georgia child welfare nonprofits
- [CIVICOPS] form_990: Faithbridge Foster Care financials
- [CIVICOPS] fec_individual_contributions: CHRIS 180 executives
Web Sources
- [Senate Report] https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/foster-care-investigation-sen-ossoff-releases-findings-of-13-month-probe-into-safety-of-foster-children/
- [Georgia Recorder] https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/04/10/georgia-child-welfare-agency-defensive-after-ossoff-senate-panel-reports-neglect-and-exploitation/
- [11Alive] https://www.11alive.com/article/news/state/ossoff-subcommittee-investigations-senate-report-georgia-dfcs-failures/85-be429e0e-4bf5-4242-941a-1487bd32e8e8
- [GPB] https://www.gpb.org/news/2024/04/10/georgia-child-welfare-agency-defensive-after-ossoff-senate-panel-reports-neglect
- [Atlanta News First] https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/04/09/new-report-blasts-georgias-foster-care-system-after-anf-investigations/
- [Children's Rights] https://www.childrensrights.org/in-the-courts/ga-kenny-a-v-deal
- [DFCS Data] https://dfcs.georgia.gov/data
- [ACF CFSR] https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/ga-cfsr-r4-final.pdf
OSINT Tools Used
- [KALI:waybackurls] Historical URL discovery on dhs.georgia.gov
- [KALI:theHarvester] Email/subdomain search
- [WEBSEARCH] Multiple queries on Georgia DFCS, OCA, audits
TRANSPARENCY OVERRIDE NOTICE
The following critical data is SUPPRESSED or NOT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE:
| Data Type | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Response time data | BLANK in federal reporting | Cannot calculate response compliance |
| Facility-level incident data | NOT PUBLISHED | Cannot identify high-risk facilities |
| CCI inspection reports | NOT PUBLICLY SEARCHABLE | Cannot verify facility safety |
| Hoteling verification | DFCS CLAIMS ONLY | Cannot verify "near zero" claims |
| Missing children recovery outcomes | NOT PUBLISHED | Cannot assess recovery effectiveness |
| OCA reports (complete) | PARTIAL ACCESS | Cannot assess full systemic issues |
Per protocol, data suppression DOES NOT lower risk scores. Missingness is itself a risk indicator.
Report generated by OPUS | Project Milk Carton | projectmilkcarton.org
Classification: SYSTEM-RISK INDICATOR / REQUIRES VERIFICATION
No individual accusations. No intent language. No victim/minor names.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Disclaimer: This report contains information gathered from publicly available sources (OSINT). All findings should be independently verified. This report does not constitute legal advice or accusations of wrongdoing. Project Milk Carton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to child welfare transparency.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Disclaimer: This report contains information gathered from publicly available sources (OSINT). All findings should be independently verified. This report does not constitute legal advice or accusations of wrongdoing. Project Milk Carton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to child welfare transparency.