Page 8 - The Scoop August 2023

Have a Question? Ask DDS!

It’s important for all DDS Team Members to know how and

why things operate the way they do. If there is another
topic that you think will benefit all staff in understating
the operation of DDS, please don’t hesitate to email
DDSCommunications at dds.communications@dds.ga.gov

Why Do Customer Service Centers (CSCs) Offer Different Services at Different Times!

Georgia’s population and where citizens are located is a key decision factor into why DDS operates
centers on different days and at different times. Did you know that Georgia’s population in 1980 was
only 5,486,174 and today has doubled to nearly 11 million according to the latest census?
Over the years the number of CSCs has grown to accommodate the growing population. DDS is
adding two new centers in 2024 in Douglasville (metro Atlanta) and Hazlehurst (south GA).
Centers in locations with higher concentrations of customers (population) tend to operate five
days a week to accommodate that volume.

DDS staffing levels are also a key factor into what services are offered and when.
Did you know that DDS management is constantly evaluating the customer volume and the
services requested by customers to ensure that the agency can respond to that demand?
The number of DDS team members is determined through legislative appropriation by our
General Assembly (not DDS management). While DDS management plays a key role in advocating
for more team members to accommodate the demand for services, ultimately the number of
agency staff is created through legislation.
Services offered has expanded with the growing state. It was not that long ago that customers
only had a few centers throughout the state to visit for reinstatement services.

All full-time staff members are expected to work a 40-hour work week. Like many businesses, DDS has a
very diverse staff that works all over Georgia. While locations operate different days and times, the
commonality at DDS is that employees are only expected to work 40 hours (unless additional hours are
approved by DDS management).

Why does DDS not open on Monday is often a question that comes from the public, but certainly is a
question that even employees may have.

Many years ago, it was determined that to accommodate Saturday openings, DDS would be closed on
Mondays. The key driver in that decision is the number of staff appropriated to each center and
ensuring that each employee is also able to work a 40-hour work week.
Georgia Leadership determined many years ago that Saturday openings is vital to ensuring that
citizens can access state services at a time period that does not require them to take time from
school and/or work to get a vital public service. Those Saturday openings are generally in higher
populated areas and/or in areas that offer higher demand services like CDL.