Agency contacted: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice 

Records that were requested: Contracts with Child Placing Agencies and Child Caring Institutions for Room, Board and watchful Oversight services for DDJ youth in need of residential and/or foster placement 

When do you first hear back from the agency? : I submitted the request on Oct. 13, and received an email back on Oct. 14. 

Did the agency request a fee?: They mentioned that they would provide me with a time and cost estimate, but the fee was waived and a digital copy was provided. 

Describe the response: The first response asked questions to better clarify the records I needed, such as the timeframe and fiscal year. After clarification and requesting the fees be waived and a digital copy provided if possible on Oct. 18 they sent me the records on Oct. 19. 

Assign a grade for contact/process: B. The website had a page for their communications office with all of the contact information, in addition to a link for media inquiries, but you have to go to a separate page. There was not a specific portal to request records. 

Assign a grade for response: A. They made sure I received the correct documents by asking for clarification and sent them to me in a timely manner. 

Anything else to note? The  Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice made the process of requesting open records simple and easy.

See the full report card here.

Grading scale for agency’s ease of contacting agency staff and finding or filing for public records.

A: Agency uses an online portal or has a clearly defined process or contact on its website for requesting public records. An “A” agency may also provide the most commonly requested records on its website already such as agendas and meeting minutes.

B: Agency has some public information online such as meeting agendas or meeting times but additional information on how to request public information is not available.

C: Agency website has contact information for staff but nothing specific about how to request public information.

D: Agency has limited contact information on its website but it is not clearly labeled and/or easily accessible.

F: Agency contact information or how to get public records is not available on the website 

Grade scale for agency’s overall responsiveness and compliance with open records law

A: Provided records within the three-day window or less

B Acknowledgment of request within the three-day requirement but records were provided after three days.

C:  Acknowledged the request but then put forth a long timetable for response or requested a high fee or retrieval price for what should be a digital record and/or PDF that could be emailed.

D: Acknowledged the request but no further information or follow-up.

F:  No response