Babies Can't Wait

Division of Public Health Project:

Babies Can’t Wait Public Hearings & Report

The Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs, ages birth to three, and their families.  The Department of Human Resources (DHR) Division of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency for administration of the BCW system. 

In 2007, DHR conducted an examination of the BCW system to make sure it was performing well and was sustainable.  To meet federal requirements and ensure there was maximum stakeholder input, the public was strongly encouraged to participate in a 60-day public comment period regarding proposed revisions to the Georgia Babies Can’t Wait Standards.

Care Solutions, Inc. was asked to facilitate the hearings that were part of the public comment period and to compile a report of all comments, including comments received directly by the BCW state office.  During the comment period, the proposed revisions to the Georgia Babies Can’t Wait Standards (Introduction and Revised Standards: Child Find, Evaluation and Assessment, IFSP, Service Coordination and Service Delivery) were distributed and publicized statewide.

Citizens commented at a series of 18 public hearings, one in each district in the state.  Care Solutions, Inc. served as the facilitator and recorder of the public hearings and is the author of the public hearings report.  Click here to download the report’s executive summary and summary of common themes.