07/31/2026
Foster Care Friday - As far as I know, Georgia is one of 20 states that do not have a dedicated behavioral medical director which I find absolutely unbelievable.
Why unbelievable? Because child psychiatrists are experts in trauma, abuse, separation, mental illness, substance use and their respective care and a behavioral medical director has both clinical and administrative expertise in the processes needed to address and resolve the above.
Below is taken from the state of New York; NY has a medical director and an entire psychiatry and behavioral unit which is essential. I have included the below so readers can see what other states are doing and what we lack because we do not have a dedicated behavioral medical director, psychiatrists, and psychologists working for the Department of DFCS formally and not just on an as-needed basis.
There should be no wonder children and families don’t get well, why children languish in the foster system often grossly under-cared for, why reunification efforts are inconsistently successful, and why foster parent retention is so low. All of it is connected.
Georgia, we need you to do so much better for our children and families. If Georgia DFCS has a medical director, would your provide this name and contact information of this person.] As recently as this week, I was told that the medical director position is empty and there is no recruitment for the position.
From New York State: The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Office of Child and Family Health (OCFH) delivers direct medical services to children entering foster care and ensures that the health care provided is comprehensive and appropriate. OCFH also offers individualized case consultations and training to ACS staff and foster care agencies on a variety of health-related topics and provides clinical expertise in developing medical and mental health policies that support best case practice agency-wide.
