In Georgia the number of TPR's has steadily increased from 2,167 to 3,125 in 2000. In 1997, 50.8% of the children were in care 17 of the most recent 22 months and in 1999, 46.3% of the children were in this same category. The number of adoptions nearly doubled from 566 in1997 to 1,042 in 1999. With such an increase, Georgia is paying close attention to the demographics of the children, the resources that will be needed to be responsive to their needs, and the support that families will need to provide permanency for these children. Due to better assessments, family conferencing, and the implementation of relative care subsidies, Georgia expects that more children will be placed with relatives more quickly. Additionally, increased funding via the Chaffee Independent Act in 1999 will result in more children aging out of the foster care population.

Georgia has implemented Section 475 (5) (E) TPR provisions to "current foster children" within ASFA's specified timeframes. Georgia has an 18-month phase in approach to implementing ASFA. The method used by the State to apply Section 475 (5) (E) to current foster children to meet ASFA requirement were that each county department office is required to:

1.) Complete a desk review of all children in care on 7/1/98;

2.) Review child characteristics, i.e. length of time in care, permanency plan, etc.;

3.) Identify subset priorities, i.e. children in care the longest, Adoption as the plan;

4.) Initiate TPR proceedings, document relevant exception in an Addendum (attach to the case plan) and submit for next Judicial Review or Citizen Panel Review;

5.)Sign Assurance Statement (Co-Director and Field Coordinator) that review, identification of priority children and action on behalf of current children completed prior to 1/1/99;

6.) Submit documentation to State Office for state review;

7.) State Office submitted documentation to Region IV HHS, ACF for approval

A letter (dated February 16, 2000) acknowledging that all 159 county departments are in compliance with the transition rules is attached as supporting documentation. This letter verifies that the county departments have applied the transition rules for implementing the third and final phase of the termination of parental rights provision of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.