Children 1st
What Is Children 1st? Children 1st was created by the State of Georgia to improve the health of children from birth through 5 years of age. Children 1st works with local hospitals, physicians, healthcare providers, schools, community- based organizations, and other agencies to identify children who are at-risk for poor health and developmental outcomes.
Children 1st identifies and screens children to determine their eligibility for or link children to programs such as:
▪ Babies Can’t Wait
▪ Children’s Medical Services
▪ Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
▪ 1st Care
▪ Georgia Newborn Screening Program
▪ Food Supplements through the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC
The purpose of Babies Can't Wait is to: Provide early identification and screening of children with developmental delays and chronic health conditions; Improve the developmental potential of infants and toddlers birth to age three, with developmental or chronic health conditions; and to Support family members and caregivers to enhance children's learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.
Children’s Medical Services is a statewide program that supports children, youth and young adults (birth – 21) with special health care needs and their families. Children’s Medical Services provides assistance to eligible families and young adults with accessing timely and affordable health care services as well as needed resources within their communities.
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program ensures that all Georgia babies be screened for hearing loss before 1 month of age. The screening is quick, painless, and typically done before the baby leaves the birthing facility. Early identification of infant hearing loss and early treatment helps babies develop language, communication, and brain development.
Car Seat Safety
With more than 2,600 children under 13 involved in a car crash every day, or one child every 33 seconds, parents need to be extra vigilant about keeping kids safe in cars. And while most families put kids in car seats, the latest research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that nearly 60 percent of car seats are installed or adjusted incorrectly.