Special Services
Special Services
Special Services utilizes state funds to provide time-limited or one-time-only funding for a needed treatment service when no other family or community resource is available. Special Services may include, but are not limited to, funding for medical services, therapy/counseling services, dental/orthodontic services, respite services, or other treatment services related to the child’s special needs. These funds are dependent upon the annual state budget and there is no guarantee of their availability from year to year.
Special Services funds are only available for children who:
- Were in the permanent custody of the Georgia Department of Human Services' Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) at the time of being placed on adoptive status or who were transferred from DFCS custody into the permanent custody of a specified relative/individual for the purpose of adoption; and
- Are under 18 years of age; and
- Are currently receiving monthly adoption assistance benefits.
Adoptive parents may contact their child’s adoption assistance PAD/Case Manager to learn about and apply for Special Services benefits. If unaware of the PAD/Case Manager’s contact information, parents may contact the SSAU at 470-349-1705 or send an email to [email protected]. Special Services benefits may be approved for up to a 12-month period of time; and such approval is contingent upon the availability of funds and the appropriateness of the request.