Purpose of the Program
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Provide a coordinated, comprehensive and integrated system of services for infants and toddlers with special needs, birth to 3 and their families.
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Provide early identification and screening of children with developmental delays and chronic health conditions.
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Improve the developmental potential of infants and toddlers birth to age 3, with developmental or chronic health conditions.
What does the program do?
The mission for Part C/Babies Can't Wait: Part C early intervention builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members and caregivers to enhance children's learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.
How many people are helped by the program?
Georgia’s Babies Can’t Wait early intervention system has served Georgia’s children and families since 1987. In Fiscal Year 2016, 17,947 children and families were served in the Babies Can 't Wait program.
Why is the program important?
This program is important because it enhances the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their child in order to ensure that each young child with significant developmental delays achieves his or her maximum developmental potential.
Where are services located?
Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 says that to the maximum extent appropriate, early intervention services must be provided in natural environments, including home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate. Service are also located Statewide.
What *Services Does BCW Provide?
- Multidisciplinary evaluation to determine eligibility and multidisciplinary assessments to determine the scope of services needed.
- Service coordination that assists the family and other professionals in developing a plan to enhance the child's development.
*Note: The above two services are offered to families at NO cost.
- Access to early intervention services identified in the child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). State funds are available, based on a sliding fee scale, to assist families who are determined by the local BCW Program to be unable to pay.
What Are Early Intervention Services?
Services which may include assistive technology devices and services, audiology services, family training, counseling, and home visits, health services, medical diagnostic services, certain nursing services, nutrition services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, social work services, special instruction, speech-language pathology, vision services, and transportation and related costs.
Where Are Early Intervention Services Provided?
Services are provided in natural environments, including home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate. Services can only be provided in a setting other than a natural environment when early intervention cannot be achieved satisfactorily in a natural environment.
Who Provides Services within Babies Can't Wait?
Services are provided by agencies and individuals from both public and private sectors.
Eligibility
Who Is Eligible for Babies Can't Wait?
BCW serves Georgia children from birth up to their third birthday, regardless of income, who meet one of the following criteria:
- Have a diagnosed physical or mental condition which is known to result in a developmental delay, such as blindness, Down syndrome, or Spina Bifida; or
- Have a diagnosed developmental delay confirmed by a qualified team of professionals.
You may view the complete list of diagnoses that result in automatic eligibility for Babies Can't Wait to determine if a specific diagnosis is covered. Information about specific diagnoses may be obtained through the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
HOW TO APPLY?
To apply for services you may:
- Complete and submit the Children 1st Screening and Referral Form, to the local Babies Can’t Wait Office that serves the County in which the child and family reside. Guidelines for Completing Screening and Referral Form
- Contact the local Babies Can’t Wait Office for more information.
How to Contact babies can’t wait?
District Office:
Babies Can't Wait
1710 Whitehouse Court
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 529-5763
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Statewide Directory:
(Parent 2 Parent of Georgia)
800-229-2038
770-451-5484 (Atlanta)