Babies Can’t Wait is a statewide early intervention program for children (birth to 3 years of age) with developmental delays and their families. Babies Can’t Wait can assist families in identifying needed resources and services within our community to meet a child’s developmental needs. Agencies and individuals provide services from both the public and private sector that includes speech, occupational, physical therapy and special instruction.

BCW is established by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which guarantees all eligible children, regardless of their disability, access to services that will enhance their development. Additional information about IDEA and national efforts supporting the implementation of the early childhood provisions of the law is available through the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.

The Babies Can’t Wait program uses the case management (service coordinator or SC) model guided by an Individualized Family Service Plan. The SC writes the IFSP with information and input from a team that includes the primary care physician, family, any relevant therapists and the SC. The plan includes any family goals that would include any needs the family has that include personal health care services and the provision of health care. BCW staff and providers provide information and therapeutic services to parents about their children’s medical/developmental conditions. They train the parent to provide services to their child in the natural environment on a daily basis.

For more information, contact the Cobb and Douglas Babies Can’t Wait Coordinator at 770-514-2462.

For developmental screening and enrollment call 770-514-2759.

Resources:
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
Parent to Parent
American Academy of Pediatrics – GA Chapter