Georgia Safe Siting Program

What is the Choose Safe Places - Georgia Safe Siting Program?

The Choose Safe Places - Georgia Safe Siting Program (GSSP) seeks to identify and address potential environmental concerns at or around child care facilities to protect children and providers from harmful substances in the environment. Even if child care centers meet current state licensing regulations, they may be located in places where children and staff can be exposed to environmental contamination. There are 4 things to consider before choosing a location for a new child care center:

  1. Former use of the site. 
    Do you know if toxic chemicals were previously produced, used, stored, or disposed of at the site? 
  2. Nearby sites and activities. 
    Are you aware of any current use of toxic chemicals from neighboring businesses?
  3. The presence of naturally-occurring hazards.
    Do potentially harmful, naturally-occurring substances exist on the property? Like radon or arsenic?
  4. Access to safe drinking water. 
    Does the site have a well that will be used for providing drinking water? Has this well been tested for drinking water quality standards? Is the water safe to drink?

Selecting the right location for your child care center is essential to protect the health of children and staff, and minimize the risk to your business. To screen your proposed child care center location, click here to complete a Property History Questionnaire.

Screening is currently only available for Child Care Learning Center applicants. This includes operator applicants applying for a new license, and Child Care Learning Centers submitting applications for a change in location or change in ownership.

Safe Siting Tools

Download this pdf file.Georgia Safe Siting Fact Sheet

Choose Safe Places - Georgia Safe Siting Guidelines

Additional Resources

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/safeplacesforECE/

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
www.decal.ga.gov/

Children’s Environmental Health Network
www.cehn.org/

Contact Us

Chemical Hazards Program
Phone: (404) 657-6534
Email: ga.safe-siting@dph.ga.gov

Prepared in cooperation with the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

Last updated: 02/03/2020