Social services; establish a pilot program for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; provide

New autism support for Georgia foster children

The law creates a five-year autism pilot for children in Georgia foster care, subject to state funding. Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services must provide screenings and clinical evaluations for diagnosis and treatment planning. The pilot covers autism spectrum disorder and related disorders. It starts in three regional service areas in year one, then expands each year until all regions are covered. When possible, priority goes to children diagnosed with ADHD or reactive attachment disorder, or prescribed psychotropic medications. The pilot also provides autism training, services, and resources for agency staff, healthcare providers, and caregivers, including online delivery. Caregivers include parents, legal guardians, foster parents, and kinship caregivers. The division must plan expansion, communicate with caregivers, ensure enough medical consultants, and provide dedicated staff and technical help. After one year, it must report annually through July 1, 2031, to the Governor, legislative leaders, and designated legislative committees. Reports must assess results and recommend how to include the pilot’s work in regular agency operations. The pilot’s Code section ends on July 1 of the year after the required report is submitted.