Children 1st
What is Children 1st?
Who is eligible for Children 1st?
All children from birth through their fifth birthday who live in Georgia are eligible for developmental screening.
make a referral for Children 1st services
Anyone (e.g., families, healthcare providers, childcare providers, community partners, etc.) may refer a child to Children 1st.
Visit the Georgia Department of Public Health Children 1st webpage to access the current Child Health Referral Form, available in English and Spanish:
Access the Child Health Referral Form (English) at Georgia DPH
Access the Child Health Referral Form (Spanish) at Georgia DPH
After completing the form, submit it to the Child Health Referral Contact for the county where the child lives. If in Gwinnett, Newton or Rockdale counties, the Child Referral Contact information appears below.
child referral contact
Fax: 866-680-1530
Counties Served: Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale
Families and referral partners may also use the Women & Children Service Locator to identify the appropriate Child Health Referral Contact based on the child’s county of residence.
QUESTIONS about children 1st?
For more information about eligibility, services provided and enrollment into the program please call your local Children 1st Coordinator:
770-339-5048
additional information about children 1st
For more information about developmental screening, referrals, and Children 1st services, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health Children 1st webpage.
Where are children 1st services located?
Children 1st can be found in every county in Georgia. As part of the Children 1st process, children can receive a developmental screening and/or families can receive a family assessment to determine risk factors. These screenings can be administered over the phone or in your local health department. If you think you qualify for services or want to learn more, call Children 1st at 770.339.5048 to speak with someone from our health department.
Reasons for a children 1st referral
Any child in Georgia can be referred to Children 1st; however, Children 1st is especially interested in referrals for children with the following factors:
Prenatal Factors
- History of maternal alcohol or substance abuse
- Lack of prenatal care
- Illness or traumatic injury during pregnancy
- Prenatal exposure to therapeutic drugs with known potential for developmental implications
Birth factors
- Premature birth
- Extended stays in the hospital/NICU
- Congenital infections/abnormalities
- Low/very low birth weight
Infancy/Childhood factors
- Exposure to environmental lead or other toxins
- Suspected or confirmed hearing or vision impairment
- Congenital and heritable disorders
Parental/Family Factors
- Parental concern about the child’s development
- Parental developmental disabilities or mental illness
- Homelessness or parental unemployment
- Family history of child abuse or neglect