Children With Special Needs
440 Prior Street, SE
Gainesville, GA 30501
Main Telephone Number: 770-535-6907
FAX Numbers:
Babies Can’t Wait 770-718-5096
Children 1st 770-538-2784
Children’s Medical Services 770-531-6341
Program Coordinators:
Shari Whiting, MS
Babies Can’t Wait Early Intervention
Tonya Newsom, CPCS, LPC
Children 1st/1st Care
Angie Gillstrap, RN, BSN
Children’s Medical Services
Paulina Rodriguez
Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Program
PROPOSED Conditions for Category 1 Eligibility
Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI)
Newborn hearing screening is screening for hearing loss. All babies should be screened for hearing loss before 1 month of age. The screening is typically done before the baby leaves the birthing facility.
EHDI includes screening for hearing loss in the birthing hospital; referral of those who do not pass the hospital screening for rescreening; for newborns who do not pass the rescreening referral for diagnostic audiological evaluation; and, linkage to appropriate intervention for those babies diagnosed with hearing loss. Technical assistance and training about implementing and maintaining a quality newborn hearing screening program is provided to hospitals, primary care physicians, audiologists, early interventionists, and public health staff. To learn more, contact the District 2 EHDI Program at 770-535-6907.
This program serves Georgia families of children from birth to three years of age who have disabilities or significant developmental delays. This program was first implemented in 1987 and is administered by the Georgia Department of Health.
This program is the “point of entry” for all the Children with Special Needs programs. Children 1stis a population-based system in the State of Georgia, designed to serve as an entry point into all public health services for children, birth-5 years old. Children 1st facilitates early identification of at-risk children and links them with early interventions services, as well as other public health services and community based resources. Children 1st collaborates with local hospitals, physicians and other public health services and community based resources. Children 1st identifies and screens children to determine their eligibility for or link children BCW, CMS, EHDI, and other public health programs and services. Children 1st provides in-home or clinic visits at no cost to the family. During these visits Children 1st performs professional assessments and links the family to resources. Anyone can make a referral to Children 1st by contacting the District 2 Children 1st Program at 770-535-6907 or completing the Children 1st Screening and Referral Form and faxing it to 770-538-2784.
This program provides medical care to children from birth to 21 years of age who have disabling conditions or chronic diseases. The goal of CMS is to help each child reach his or her maximum potential.
Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI)
Newborn hearing screening is screening for hearing loss. All babies should be screened for hearing loss before 1 month of age. The screening is typically done before the baby leaves the birthing facility.
EHDI includes screening for hearing loss in the birthing hospital; referral of those who do not pass the hospital screening for rescreening; for newborns who do not pass the rescreening referral for diagnostic audiological evaluation; and, linkage to appropriate intervention for those babies diagnosed with hearing loss. Technical assistance and training about implementing and maintaining a quality newborn hearing screening program is provided to hospitals, primary care physicians, audiologists, early interventionists, and public health staff. To learn more, contact the District 2 EHDI Program at 770-535-6907.
Testimonial
Callie Truelove is a Children’s Medical Services (CMS) client diagnosed with Williams Syndrome as an infant. We are excited to see her doing big things in our community to bring awareness to Williams Syndrome in such a loving way. Watch the Truelove trailer to learn more about Callie’s experience.