Atlanta-Area Social Services For Families

Divorce, child custody disputes and other family law matters can be particularly traumatic and life-changing events. Georgia family law attorneys are skilled at handling legal procedures. But newly single parents and neglected children, for example, often need extra help.

The following government agencies and nonprofit organizations offer a wide variety of social services to help families of all kinds get back on their feet:

State & Local Government Resources:

Georgia DHS Division of Family & Children Services - DFCS investigates child abuse reports; finds foster homes for abused or neglected children; helps low-income parents find work and other services.

2 Peachtree Street, NW
Suite 18-486
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 651-9361
Adoptions
(404) 657-3550
Child Care Benefits
1 (800) 869-1150 or (404) 657-3434
Child Protective Services
(404) 651-9361; General information: (404) 657-3400
Office of Child Support Services
Contact your local OCSS office. Click here to find your local office
Domestic Violence
1 (800) 869-1150; General information: (404) 657-3400
Food Stamps
1 (800) 869-1150
Foster/Adoptive Parent Inquiries
1 (877) 210-KIDS (5437)
Foster Care Placement
(404) 651-9361; General information: (404) 657-3400
Out of State Placement (ICPC) - if child's last name begins with:
A-G: (404) 657-3328
H-P: (404) 657-3567
Q-Z: (404) 463-2216
Housing - Section 8
1 (800) 869-1150
Medicaid
1 (800) 869-1150
Senior Citizen Services
Community Care Services: 1 (866) 552-4464
Elder Rights and Advocacy: 1 (866) 552-4464
Georgia Cares / Prescription Assistance: 1 (800) 669-8387
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
1 (800) 869-1150
Adoptions Records Search
(404) 657-3555

Atlanta Office of Human Services - the OHS works to help connect various social services with their intended recipients, but does not provide direct services

Fulton County Office of the Child Attorney - this office advocates for the rights and protections of children in child abuse/neglect cases

DeKalb County Child Advocacy Center - (same as above, but for DeKalb County)

Non-governmental Social Service Providers:

Georgia Food Banks - (PDF) locations of food banks throughout the state, by county

Georgia Women's Shelters - directory, organized by city

Georgia Domestic Violence Advocates - directory, organized by county

Catholic Charities Atlanta - offers a wide variety of services for families and children, including marriage counseling and after school tutoring

Atlanta Children's Shelter - provides temporary housing and helps families become self-sufficient

Truancy Intervention Project - serves about 700 children annually, collaborating with the Fulton County Juvenile Court and area schools

Atlanta Day Shelter for Women

Women's Employment Opportunity Project - training and tools to help girls and women advance their careers

Prevent Child Abuse Georgia

Midtown Assistance Center - emergency assistance for the working poor of Midtown and Downtown Atlanta

Forever Family - support for the children of incarcerated parents

Quality Care for Children - directory of area child care facilities

Operation Peace - full service community program for the metro Atlanta area, including after school activities for children

Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Atlanta

Atlanta YMCA

Carrie Steele-Pitts Home - 24-hour, state-approved, child care facility for neglected, abandoned, abused or orphaned children

Georgia Parent Support Network - support and education for children (and their families) with mental illness or emotional disturbances

Aniz - health services for low-income families affected by HIV/AIDS

Jerusalem House - housing for low-income families and individuals affects by HIV/AIDS

Visits Georgia - member of the International Supervised Visitation Network, which provides safe but comfortable environments for supervised visitation

CHRIS Kids - services for children and families, including counseling and holiday donations for low-income families