VALDOSTA — The 2006 annual report of the Lowndes Division of Family and Children Services reflects a greater push toward self-sufficiency among area families.

Although life and circumstances can sometimes be unpredictable, DFCS works to keep area families stable during financial times of need. Through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, DFCS provides public assistance to adults and their families, through food stamp, child care and Medicaid service programs.

Designed first as an employment program, eligible parents must complete a number a steps before receiving TANF funds. Before parents are even considered for the program, DFCS case managers work along with applicants, assisting in a three-week job search. Once an application is accepted, parents move on to complete various activities, including GED courses, job skills classes, and substance abuse or other mental health counseling when appropriate.

Constituted throughout the state just 10 years ago, the TANF program has begun to see fewer recipients. Local directors are grateful for staff and community support, in helping area families support themselves.

“For the state Fiscal Year 2006, from Jan. 1, 1997, through June 30, 2006, Lowndes County saw a reduction from 1,809 households to 308 households receiving TANF, equaling an 83 percent drop,” said DFCS Director Virginia Boswell.

“From July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006, Lowndes County experienced a reduction in those households where the parent is receiving TANF, and is bound by the work requirements, from 54 households to nine. This is by far the lowest number of parents bound by work requirements receiving TANF for a county this size, and many substantially smaller counties, anywhere in the state. This reduction can be directly attributed to the Lowndes County DFCS case management staff and the community partners that assist families in becoming independent.”

The TANF program works to build the community on a number of levels. TANF pushes dollars back into the Lowndes community as families use funds to pay for needed products and services at area businesses.

“Food stamp benefits issued to Lowndes County residents for the period July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006, was $13,469,623,” said Boswell. “While Lowndes County food stamp recipients are not required to spend these benefits in Lowndes County grocery stores, a large percentage of them do, bringing added revenue to Lowndes County.”

More than 1,000 local children have been served though the TANF childcare subsidy program, which offers childcare to eligible parents receiving TANF benefits. Boswell says “Better than 98 percent, of this nearly $3 million, was paid to Lowndes County childcare providers.”

On the side of children’s services, Boswell reports that through the division of Child Protective Services, the program responsible for investigating reports of abuse and neglect to children, 1,182 children were involved in CPS investigations in Lowndes County during FY06.

“In FY06, Lowndes County DFCS received 1,090 reports and 786 reports were accepted for investigation,” Boswell said. “Of the 786 reports investigated, 259 investigations were substantiated and opened for services, and 132 investigations were substantiated and closed. Twenty investigations were unsubstantiated and opened for services, while 375 investigations were unsubstantiated and no additional services were provided. Lowndes County diverted 257 reports away from the more intrusive CPS services, based upon the age of the child or who the reporter was, as opposed to the seriousness of the incident.”

Fewer than 125 children entered foster care in Lowndes County during the 2006 fiscal year. Directors are pleased to see a 27 percent decrease from the previous year as the staff works along with community families to provide homes for children, who often are temporarily unable to return to their own homes.

“In FY 2006, the total number of children of whom Lowndes County DFCS had custody was 390,” said Boswell. “One hundred twenty three children entered foster care in Lowndes County during FY06, compared with 188 children in FY05. This represents a 27 percent decrease in the number of children entering foster care during the year.

During FY06, Boswell also reports that 23 children were removed from the custody of Lowndes DFCS, after having adoptions finalized during the year.

While keeping in its mission of strengthening families within the state of Georgia, DFCS dedicated more than $2 million toward family preservation, while supporting various organizational programs.

“Family preservation programs do exactly what the name implies, and these programs are designed to strengthen families and assist families in meeting their own needs,” Boswell said. “Safe and Stable Families Grants support the Haven, the Children’s Advocacy Center and Hospice of South Georgia. These grants are awarded through the state Division of Family and Children Services, while Lowndes County DFCS acts as the fiscal agent and administers the disbursement.”

Other family preservation programs work to keep children as close to home as possible and help to match children with compatible families in the event that foster care cannot be avoided.

“Prevention of Out of Home Placement assists families whose children are still with them, but living conditions or other factors are putting the children at risk of foster care placement,” said Boswell. “Relative Care subsidy is financial assistance for families who are willing to take care of children at risk in their extended family, but lack the finances to do it. First Placement Best Placement contractors provide in depth assessments of children who enter the foster care system and their families in an effort to match a child with the correct placement so that multiple moves are reduced.”