Healthy Living: Giving Babies a Good Start

Having a new baby can be very exciting, but along with the joy comes a lot of responsibility. The Coastal Health District, through your county health department, can give you support in many areas. For more information or to participate in any of the programs listed below, call 1-877-808-3689.

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
All babies born in Georgia should have a hearing screening performed before they leave the hospital. Repeat hearing screenings can be done at your local health department, at home, or at the hospital. All screening and testing is done at no cost to the parent. Testing is safe, easy on the baby, and takes very little time.

Children 1st
Children 1st is the "point of entry" for all the Children With Special Needs programs. Calling Children 1st will help you get access to all the following programs your child may need. Children 1st was established by the Georgia Division of Public Health to ensure early identification of children considered to be at high risk for poor health and/or developmental delay. Risk conditions may include any medical, environmental, or socio-economic conditions. It is a tracking and monitoring system of children ages 0-5 years, including high-risk newborns. Children 1st staff provide in-home assessments and general health care information. The program is voluntary and free.

High Risk Infant
High Risk Infant (HRI) is a service operating with Children 1st. It focuses on children birth to one year of age who have been identified as "at risk" medically and/or developmentally. There are no financial eligibility requirements. Referrals are made to HRI through Children 1st.

Babies Can't Wait
Babies Can't Wait (BWI) is an early intervention program serving children with significant developmental delays, or children who may be at risk for delays due to a diagnosed medical condition. The program provides services to children from birth to age three and their families. BCW was established under part C of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Act. The program is voluntary and there are no financial eligibility requirements. The staff of BCW provides free evaluations to determine eligibility and service coordination if services are needed.

Services through the BCW program may include assistive technology devices, audiology, family training and counseling, nutrition services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, special instruction, speech therapy and vision services.

Children's Medical Services
Children's Medical Services (CMS) provides medical care to children from birth to age 21 who have disabling conditions or chronic diseases. CMS can provide long-term specialized care, medical equipment, medications, physical therapy, hospitalization, occupational therapy, nursing services, family education, social services, and case coordination. The goal of CMS is to help each child reach his or her maximum potential. CMS is supported with state and federal funds.

Eligibility for CMS is based on income, type of medical condition, and the age of the child. PeachCare, Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are accepted. Families with or without insurance are also accepted and may (depending on their income) be required to pay a portion of cost based on a sliding fee scale.

Examples of medical conditions covered by CMS include asthma, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, scoliosis, seizures, neurological disorders, immune disorders, hydrocephalus, hearing conditions, Down syndrome, craniofacial disorders, cleft lip and palate, orthopedic disorders, cardiac conditions, chronic lung conditions, vision disorders (other than corrective lenses), diabetes, urinary tract disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and genetic disorders.

Genetics
Genetics is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders and to the identification of various genetic disorders. Services include a comprehensive family history, diagnostic testing and a complete physical assessment. Ages range from birth to adults. Referrals must be made by physicians, hospitals, or other health care providers. Genetics accepts Medicaid, private insurance, and Children's Medical Services co-payments. Patients have the option of being seen in Augusta at the Medical College of Georgia to avoid a lengthy waiting period.

WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/healthy-living/giving_babies_a_good_start_1.php