Congressman Jack Kingston - First District of Georgia

Georgia Department of Human Resources
The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) was formed in July 2009 as part of the reorganization of the former Georgia Department of Human Resources, which had served Georgia since 1972. DHS delivers a wide range of human services designed to promote self-sufficiency, safety and well-being for all Georgians.

Adult Protective Services (APS)
Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, exploitation or neglect of elderly or disabled adults who cannot care for themselves. If the person needs help, APS provides services and assistance. Reports of suspected maltreatment of adults should be made to the county DFCS office in the county where the person lives. All reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation should be directed to Adult Protective Services Central Intake, Toll-Free: (888) 774-0152.

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is staffed 24-hours-a-day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance and information about shelters, legal advocacy, health care centers and counseling. 24-hour Crisis Line: (800) 33-HAVEN (800-334-2836)

Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS)
The state of Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program helps Georgia families pay for early childhood and school age care programs.  Subsidized care is available for children from birth to age 13, or up to age 18 if the child has special needs. CAPS is available in all of Georgia’s 159 counties.

Child Protective Services (CPS)
Child Protective Services (CPS) staff investigates reports of child abuse or neglect and provides services to protect children and strengthen families.

Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income persons in Georgia, including the elderly, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) pays for some home heating and cooling coast for low-income eligible families, particularly in emergencies.

Georgia Family Planning Program
The mission of the Georgia Family Planning Program is that all women and men in Georgia will have the knowledge of and access to opportunities for optimal health care for themselves and their families, therefore enabling families to plan and space their children to improve the health of women and children. For more information on the GFPP services in your community, contact your local health department or call (800) 822-2539.

Food Stamps
The Georgia Food Stamp program provides monthly benefits to low-income households to help pay for the cost of food. A household may be one person living alone, a family, or several unrelated individuals living together who routinely purchase and prepare meals together. Anyone may apply for food stamp benefits. The program helps households that have limited income and resources.

Foster Care
Foster Care is a state program that provides temporary substitute homes for children whose families cannot provide a safe and nurturing environment for them. Interested in volunteering as a foster parent? Contact the foster care and adoption recruitment intake line at (877) 210-KIDS (5437). Foster parents who have questions can contact the Foster Care Parent Support Line at (888) 310-8260

Refugee Resettlement Program
The Refugee Resettlement Program is a federally funded program that provides employment, health screening, medical, cash and social services assistance to refugees. The primary goal of Georgia’s Refugee Resettlement Program is to encourage effective resettlement and economic self-sufficiency of refugees within the shortest possible period after entrance to Georgia. Effective resettlement means refugees are self-reliant in utilizing existing community resources to meet their basic needs. Contact the State Refugee Coordinator at 404-657-5118 for further information.

Right From The Start Medicaid (RSM)
Based on family size and income, Right From The Start Medicaid (RSM) provides medical assistance to pregnant women and to children from birth through 18 years of age. With employees stationed throughout the State of Georgia, RSM staff members work early mornings, nights and weekends as well as routine business hours, taking applications for Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids and other health care related programs, like Georgia Partnership for Caring.

Georgia Poison Center
The Georgia Poison Center has operated the 24-hour poison emergency treatment information service, providing assistance and expertise in the medical diagnosis and management of human and animal poisonings. The Center provides free, timely advice and information to parents, child care providers, pharmacists, nurses, and doctors and plays a significant role in reducing the cost of treatment and the severity of poisonings where time is of the essence. If you need medical advice, medical information, or have questions about a poisoning or a suspected poisoning, please call (800) 222-1222.

GeorgiaCares
GeorgiaCares is a program of the Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services and Area Agencies on Aging. GeorgiaCares counselors help to provide free services to help people understand their Medicare insurance and prescription coverage. For more information contact  GeorgiaCares at (800) 669-8387.

Georgia Tobacco Quit Line
A free telephone program that can help you quit smoking. When you call you will be offered a choice of services including one-on-one counseling over the telephone and a referral list of programs in your area such as cessation classes. The program is funded by the Georgia Department of Health Resources and the Coalition for a Healthy and Responsible Georgia. (877) 270-STOP (7867)

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), commonly known as Welfare, is the monthly cash assistance program for low-income families with children under age 18. To apply for TANF, contact the county Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office in the county where you live.

Women, Infants And Children (WIC)
Women, Infants And Children (WIC) provides nutrition education and supplemental foods to low-income families. WIC benefits are available to eligible pregnant or postpartum women, infants and children up to 5 years old. Eligible participants must have an income at or below 185% of U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines, be a GA state resident and be at nutritional or medical risk, as determined by a health professional. For more information call (404) 657-2900.

Georgia Vital Records
Vital records and vital events are defined as birth, death, fetal deaths (stillbirth), induced termination of pregnancy, marriage and divorce certificates and reports. Call the state vital records office at (404) 679-4702 if you need the mailing address or telephone number of a specific county vital records office.