Children Healthcare

Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) is Georgia’s early intervention program which serves children who have significant developmental delays or children who may be at risk for delays due to a diagnosed medical condition. The program provides services to children, ages birth to 3, and their families.  It provides evaluation to determine eligibility and service coordination at no charge to families. Some additional services may require payment; however, BCW has financial resources to assist, if necessary. Eligibility for the program is not based on income.

Upon receipt of referral, contact is made with the family to arrange for the evaluation to determine eligibility. The child is evaluated by the Babies Can’t Wait multi-disciplinary team. If the child is determined ineligible, appropriate referrals are made to other community programs. If the child is determined eligible, an ongoing family service coordinator is chosen, and an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed. This plan is used to identify goals, strategies, and services that will enhance and promote the child’s development.

When the child turns 3, this program implements a smooth transition to special services in the public schools.

 229-245-6565
 800-247-6538
http://dph.georgia.gov/Babies-Cant-Wait


Children’s Medical Services (CMS):
For more information call:
 229-245-4310 or 1-800-848-5728

A state funded program that provides medical care for disabling conditions or chronic diseases in children from birth to the age 21.  The staff of three RN’s work actively with primary care physicians to coordinate specialty care for the child.

Services through CMS may include family education, social services and case management. They also hold clinics for children in Cardiology, Orthopedic, Hematology, Asthma and telemedicine clinics in Genetics, Nephrology and Pulmonary. 

They have an Asthma Educator.. Enrolled clients have an asthma action plan which includes education, equipment, bed covers and camp for kids 6-12 years old. There is a camp in Tifton and one in Valdosta.  

Anyone may make a basic referral to CMS, however to be seen by a specialist the referral should come from the client’s primary care physician. 

The CMS staff actively works with primary care physicians to coordinate specialty care for the child, including case management and asthma education. CMS employs registered nurses who have special training in pediatrics and contracts with nutritionist and speech, occupational, and physical therapists who work with children.

Eligibility for CMS is based on income, type of medical condition and the age of the child (0-21). Medicaid and SSI recipients are eligible. Families with or without insurance are also eligible, but may be required to defray some cost depending on their income. Physicians, healthcare providers, school staff, public health departments, social workers, or parents may refer children to CMS.

Once the referral is received, CMS staff will contact the family. After completion of an application, the child will be enrolled in the specialty services necessary for his/her situation. Some children are followed by local physicians with treatment coordinated by the nurse case managers of CMS. Other children may be enrolled in specialty services provided by physicians who come to Valdosta from the Medical College of Georgia. The nurse case manager ensures that follow-up care is provided.