MARCH 2018 EDITION
FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
This section of our newsletter is where we take time to respond to your inquiries. If you have an inquiry you’d like to submit for inclusion in an upcoming issue, simply let us know.

Q1: Some countries require a certificate of “non-contagious disease” before a family can bring the final remains of their loved ones into the country. Are counties required to issue those types of certificates?

A1:  Each country has its own guidelines on what documents must be presented along with the body or remains. As a local county registrar, you would issue a disposition permit to the family before they take the remains to another country. A certificate of “non-contagious disease” is not a requirement by Georgia law. Occasionally, a courtesy letter may be provided by the County Health Department Director, if the receiving jurisdiction requires it. This is encouraged by the State Office of Vital Records, yet is at the final discretion of the Health Department Director.  Additionally, some funeral homes or crematories will issue a non-contagious disease letter on their letterhead.

Q2: If an 18 week old fetus is miscarried and the family wants to do a cremation, is a disposition permit required? 

A2: Yes, a disposition permit is always issued for a cremation of a body or a fetus. The only time a disposition permit is not required for a fetus is when the disposition of fetal remains is within the institution where the fetal demise occurred. You are correct that a death certificate would not be issued because there was no live birth.  However, a report of fetal death should be filed by the healthcare facility or the physician in attendance.
CONSTITUENT'S CORNER
The 5 P’s of Annual Site Visits

P roper P reparation P revents P oor P erformance
Several variations of the 5 P’s slogan exist, but the overall message still remains the same…preparation is the key to success. On February 21 st , the State Office Regional Training and Support team shared information about conducting annual county VR site assessments. The purpose of this annual site assessment is to ensure that everyone is collectively and cohesively providing Georgia constituents with the same level of service across the state, while being in compliance and in alignment with our MOA. Furthermore, site assessments are not designed to solely identify weaknesses but rather to help improve your current processes and share best practices from county to county.

Every local county VR site will receive an annual visit from their designated regional consultant. Additionally, each visit will be scheduled in advance, allowing ample time for each site to prepare. The Regional Training team has created a self-assessment to help gauge where you currently are and what needs to be improved prior to meeting with your (regional consultant) during your annual visit. If you follow and complete each section in its entirety, you will undoubtedly satisfy the requirements of the annual site assessment. Please also keep in mind that you’ll need to complete the self-assessment form and return it to your regional consultant within the pre-determined timeframe prior to your site visit. To access a copy of the self-assessment, please visit our website. You’ll need to access the Resources tab, then the Training Materials tab. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your regional consultant or Joseph Little, Regional Training Manager.
GAVERS TECHNICAL TIPS

Please ensure the following is included when you submit a Gavers technical issue request:

Full Name on certificate, Date of Event, Parents information, if applicable, Place of Occurrence, State File Number.

Note: Please expand the column to view the entire State file number.

BEFORE
AFTER
Additionally, the State Office has implemented a new feature in the Fee Module of Gavers. This feature, the "Veterans" checkbox, was implemented to ensure Veterans receive their records at no cost. The Veterans checkbox can be used for birth, death, marriage and divorce events.
 
Enter the requestors’ information and click “save request”. You will receive the message “Request saved successfully”.
BIRTH RECORD RATINGS:
THE TOP FACILITIES
Rank 
                                        
50 or Fewer Births
1. Grady General Hospital
2. Liberty Regional Medical Center
3. Gordon Hospital

51 to 200 Births
1. South Georgia Regional Medical Center
2. Phoebe Putney Memorial
3. Meadows Regional Medical Center

201 or More Births
1. Candler Hospital
2. Wellstar Cobb Hospital
3. Memorial Health University Medical Center

Most Improved Facilities
1. Southern Regional Medical Center
2. St. Mary's Sacred Heart
3. Habersham County Medical Center
Average Days to Register a Birth


1.6
2.0
2.2


2.2
2.4
3.1


2.2
2.5
3.2


12.1
8.4
6.9
Kaden Gutierrez
Photo Courtesy of: Merly Gutierrez, Business Coordinator, State Office of Vital Records
VITAL RECORDS GEORGIA CODE & REGULATIONS

The State Office of Vital Records is making it easy and convenient for you to access our code and regulations on the go. We have provided a link below for quick access.  Click here for Georgia Code. Click here for Rules and Regulations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
REGIONAL TRAINING & SUPPORT MANAGER
Joseph Little
joseph.little@dph.ga.gov
(770) 909-2952 or (404) 863-4832
REGIONAL CONSULTANT (EAST)
Cheryl Berry-Desbordes
cheryl.desbordes@dph.ga.gov
(770) 909-2938 or (404) 956-0124
REGIONAL CONSULTANT (SOUTH)
Kamilah Traylor
kamilah.traylor@dph.ga.gov
(770) 909-2941 or (404) 901-1615
REGIONAL CONSULTANT (NORTH)
Justin Davis
justin.davis@dph.ga.gov
(770) 909-2940 or (404) 414-9216
REGIONAL CONSULTANT (WEST)
Mannett Foster
mannett.foster@dph.ga.gov
(770) 909-2943 or (404) 901-1634
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Crystal Myers
crystal.myers@dph.ga.gov
(770) 909-2947
GAVERS SUPPORT
Technical Support
(404) 679-4745
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Quentoria Hutcherson
quentoria.hutcherson@dph.ga.gov
(770) 909-2939
STATE OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS
Communications Center
(404) 679-4702
THE VITAL CONNECTION TEAM:
Donna Moore: State Registrar/Director
Cynthia Buskey-Martin: Program Administration Deputy Director
Akilah McGhee: Compliance and Communications Manager
D’Andre Mayberry: Instructional Designer
Vital Records Staff: Content and Topic Contributors
Georgia Department of Public Health | State Office of Vital Records | Phone: (404) 679-4702 |
Fax: (404) 679-4730 | akilah.mcghee@dph.ga.gov | dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords