Rule 290-2-19-.01 - Casework(1) Casework services shall be an integral part of the service available to the unmarried mother. The goal of casework with the unmarried mother is: (a) to prevent her future adjustment and the child's from being jeopardized by the out-of-wedlock pregnancy or birth;(b) to promote her ability to function in a more satisfying and socially approved way; and(c) to arrive at a plan that is best for her and the child.(2) Private Home operators shall notify the Department of Human Resources, Division of Community Services each time an unmarried mother is admitted giving name of the unmarried mother, age, and date of admission. The Division of Community Services shall notify the local County Departments so that each unmarried mother may be offered social work service. Forms for this notification will be furnished by the Division.(3) There shall be a social study by a caseworker on the Maternity Home's staff or by a caseworker of the referring agency for every unmarried mother accepted for care.(4) The caseworker in the Maternity Home, in consultation with the administrator and/or supervisor, shall make the decision whether to accept an applicant for residential care, on the basis of the needs and problems of the girl and the make-up of the group currently in residence.(5) The intake study shall include social information indicating that the unmarried mother is in need of the services of the Maternity Home.(6) The caseworker shall discuss with the unmarried mother:(a) the regulations of the Maternity Home and her responsibilities;(b) the services available to her through the Maternity Home and community; and(c) agreement that while she is in the care of the Maternity Home she may plan either to keep or to release her baby; but if she releases her child she will do so only to a representative of a licensed agency.(7) Following admission, the caseworker has the responsibility for seeing the unmarried mother as often as her individual needs require. It should be possible for one caseworker to continue to work with the unmarried mother as long as necessary and/or until she can accept transfer to another worker or agency.(8) Interviewing shall be focused on the unmarried mother's individual problems and on plans for the child.(9) When social work responsibilities are shared by the Home's caseworker and the caseworker in the referring agency, careful planning and communication should take place to avoid duplication or conflict, and repetition of the same story to several people.(10) If practical, the caseworker from the referring agency who would be responsible for continuing casework should provide the casework services for the unmarried mother. The Home's caseworker should help with adjustment to and use of the group living experience and coordination of services within the Maternity Home for each girl in accordance with the treatment plan.(11) The caseworker should know at the time of discharge what plans the unmarried mother has for living arrangements, employment or school. It is the caseworker's responsibility to assist the unmarried mother directly or through referral to another agency when she needs help in this area.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-19-.01
Ga. L. 1963, pp. 81-121; Ga. L. 1972, pp. 1015, 1046, 1048.
Original Rule entitled "Casework" was filed on October 21, 1974; effective November 10, 1974.