Cross-Reporting Among Agencies That Respond to Child Abuse and Neglect - Georgia

Date: February 2021

Cross-Reporting Between Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement

Citation: Ann. Code § 19-7-5(e)

If a report of child abuse is made to the child welfare agency or independently discovered by the agency, and the agency has reasonable cause to believe such report is true or the report contains any allegation or evidence of child abuse, then the agency immediately shall notify the appropriate police authority or district attorney.

Other Reporting Requirements

Citation: Ann. Code § 19-7-5(e); Child Welf. Pol. Man., Pol. # 1.6

If a report of child abuse is made to the child welfare agency or independently discovered by the agency, and the agency has reasonable cause to believe such report is true or the report contains any allegation or evidence of child abuse, then the agency immediately shall notify military law enforcement, if applicable.

For each child who is the subject of child abuse allegations, the child welfare agency shall make efforts as soon as practicable to determine whether a parent or guardian of such child is on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. If such agency determines that a parent or guardian of such child is on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, such agency shall notify the applicable military installation's family advocacy program of the child abuse allegation that relates to the parent or guardian of such child.

In policy: The case manager will do the following:

  • Engage the child (if age appropriate) and family during the initial contact to determine if the child and/or family are of Indian heritage or if the child may be eligible for membership in a federally recognized Indian Tribe
  • Identify and obtain contact information for the Tribe, if the parent or child states that they are of Indian heritage; if it is determined that the parent, guardian, or Indian custodian is a member of an Indian Tribe; or if the child may be eligible for Tribal membership
  • Document Indian heritage and Tribal membership in the case record
  • Immediately notify the Indian Tribe by email and/or telephone when there is a pending proceeding in Georgia involving the placement of an Indian child
  • Notify the Tribe that the Indian child is being or has been removed
  • Complete the applicable ICWA Notification Letter and send it registered or certified mail with return receipt requested to the following:
    • The child's parents, guardian (or Indian custodian), and the Tribe with copies of the petition
    • The U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs if the identity or location of the parent or Indian custodian and the Tribe cannot be determined

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