Children 1st is a statewide, voluntary initiative coordinated by the Georgia Department of Public Health and your local Public Health Department. Any child (from birth – age 5) with developmental, social or medical needs can be referred to the program. A Public Health Nurse contacts the family and will make a home visit to help the family access local medical services and social support. These services are designed to support families with young children, promote child health/development and positively influence school readiness.
Children’s 1st also offers 1st Care. 1st Care is also a component of the Children’s 1st Program includes extensive case management for babies aged 0-12 months of age born premature and/or at a low birth weight. Babies born under these circumstances may be medically fragile and at risk for developmental delays.
Children with elevated lead levels can also be enrolled in Children’s 1st. Lead can harm your child’s development. Preventing lead exposure is the best solution. Common sources of lead include homes painted before 1978, lead pipes, and soil contaminated with lead. Lead may also be found in some toys, jewelry, a few imported foods, and some medicines. Preventing lead exposure is the best solution. If you have been told by your child’s doctor that their lead level is elevated, contact us at the number below.
Children’s 1st also offers Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EDHI) also known as newborn hearing screens for babies aged 0-3 months. For more information, the direct link is provided below.
Children’s 1st is the single point of entry into programs like Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) and Children Medical Service (CMS). See the contact information below if you are interested in Children’s 1st or any of these programs and your child is under age 5.
Family support services for children aged 0-5 years
Marietta Public Health Center – Building B
1738 County Services Parkway
Marietta, GA 30008
Douglas Public Health Center
6770 Selman Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134
Have questions or need to make a referral, call: 770-514-2759 (bilingual)
Complete the Children 1st Screening and Referral form and submit via email:dph-cdphreferrals@dph.ga.gov or fax: 770-514-2742
Resources:
- Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies
- Parent to Parent
- American Academy of Pediatrics – GA Chapter
- CDC’s Developmental Milestones | CDC
- “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” | CDC
- The Basics: https://thebasics.org/
- Healthy Start Program
- Additional Lead Information
- Help Me Grow Georgia: (888) HLP-GROW (+1 888-457-4769)
For more information on the Children 1st program, visit: https://dph.georgia.gov/children1st