• Protecting children is a high priority for the state of Georgia.child image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
  
  Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services provides oversight for the state's child laws. The division works through Child Protective Services and Child Support Services to administer specific legal protections to children in the state. Aim of the laws is to protect minors in the state from experiencing abuse or neglect. Childcare agency workers, parents and other persons who come in contact with children are required to adhere to the laws.
  
  

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

• Licensed physicians, interns or medical practitioners in residence training, including dentists, family doctors, podiatrist, counselors and nurses, are required by state law to report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect to the Georgia Child Protective Services. School administrators, teachers, guidance counselors and child welfare personnel are also required by law to report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect to the Georgia Child Protective Services. Neighbors, relatives and other members of the community who suspect that a child is abused or neglected are encouraged to call the police immediately. They can also contact the Georgia Child Protective Services. The person who reports the suspected abuse can remain anonymous. Georgia's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigates all incidences where the death or serious injury of a child is involved.
  
  

Leaving Children Alone

• Children younger than eight years old are not to be left alone absent responsible adult supervision for any length of time. Children ages 9 to 12 years old who are mature emotionally and psychologically can be left alone for brief periods of time. After a child turns 15 years of age, she can be left alone overnight if she is mature. Parents are ultimately responsible for their child's safety until the child reaches 18 years of age.
  
  

Child Support

• Georgia's Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) enforces the state's child support rules and regulations. Custody parents should contact Child Support Services to file a Paternity Acknowledgement (PA) Form to prove paternity. Should the child's father not respond to a voluntary request to prove paternity, Georgia courts can order the father to submit to a paternity test. Child support payment levels are based upon the gross income of both parents, existing child support orders open on the noncustodial parent and the number of children living in both parents' households. Noncustodial parents who do not make child support payments can have their payroll check garnished. Noncustodial parents who are $5,000 or six months or more behind in their child support payments can also be placed on Georgia's Most Wanted Child Evaders List. Federal and state income tax returns and lottery winnings can be intercepted until the child support payments are caught up. Liens can be placed against the noncustodial parent's property. Driver's licenses and passports of non-paying parents can also be suspended or revoked. Notices of late child support payments can be sent to credit bureaus.