Agency contacted: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities 

Records that were requested: Contracts between the state and Behavioral Health Link related to the operation of the Georgia Crisis and Access LineGCAL 988 for FY22. 

When did you first hear back from the agency? : I submitted my request on Oct. 14. I received a phone call and email about narrowing my request on Oct. 19, and I responded to their email on Oct. 20. They responded to my email with the contracts that same day on Oct. 20 Overall, it took six days for me to receive my request.

Did agency request a fee and if so, how did they explain the charge? No fee.

Describe the response. They responded with an attachment of the PDF of the contract that I requested. There were no further complications.

Assign a grade for contact/process: A. The open records request was straight forward and provided on their website. I was also quickly notified upon submitting my request that it was received. 

Assign a grade for response: B. They were efficient and timely in their response, and I ultimately got the information I requested in full. They were also polite when speaking to me over the phone. However, it did take longer than three days to receive the information that I asked for. 

Anything else to note? No.

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