Families

Who Is Eligible for Babies Can't Wait?

BCW serves Georgia children from birth up to their third birthday, regardless of income, who meet one of the following criteria:

  • Have a diagnosed physical or mental condition which is known to result in a developmental delay, such as blindness, Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida (Category 1) or;
  • Have a diagnosed developmental delay confirmed by a qualified team of professionals (Category 2).

To determine if your child is eligible, he or she will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Physical: health, hearing, vision
  • Cognitive: thinking, learning, problem solving
  • Gross and fine motor skills: moving, walking, grasping, and coordination
  • Communication: babbling, languages, speech, conversation
  • Social and emotional: playing and interacting with others
  • Adaptive development: self-help skills, (i.e. feeding, toileting, dressing)

Click on the Conditions Database to determine if your child’s diagnosis meets automatic BCW eligibility. 

Look up your child’s condition on the Conditions Database to determine whether the diagnosis meets automatic eligibility.

If your child is determined eligible, a team of service providers will work with you to address your child's needs. As part of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team, you will collaborate with your team to develop outcomes and goals that will be added to your child’s plan based on their initial evaluation information as well as the priorities and concerns you may have for your child.

Services are provided during your child's daily activities within their natural environment (home, daycare etc.) to ensure natural learning opportunities are maximized while still meeting your child's everyday needs.

BCW Parent Rights

Know Your Parental Rights in BCW

Parents of children with a developmental delay or disability have special rights stated in the federal law called the Individualized with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If your child has a delay or disability, your parental rights include:

  • The right to accept or decline some or all services from the BCW program
  • The right to be informed of your rights
  • The right to provide informed written consent before any information about your child or family is shared between service providers
  • The right to provide informed written consent before services begin
  • The right to have your records kept private and confidential
  • The right to review and make changes to records about your child and family at any time
  • The right to request, be present at, and take part in meetings about your child and family
  • The right to make a formal complaint about services for your child
  • The right to know to whom to make a written complaint and receive an answer to that complaint within 60 days
  • The right to have your family's priorities and concerns addressed
  • The right to have a designated staff member to support and facilitate your services
  • The right to guide the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
  • The right to the following services at no cost to you:
    • Developmental evaluation to determine eligibility
    • Help with transition planning before your child turns three and leaves BCW
    • The right to have an advocate, friend, or interpreter present at any or all contacts with service providers
    • The right to receive written notice before there is a change in services. The written notice should include what and why the change is being proposed or denied.

Parents have the right to pursue the dispute resolution process if they feel as if their rights have been violated. The Babies Can't Wait Formal Dispute Resolution Request form below can be completed electronically and emailed, faxed, or mailed to:

Email:   [email protected]

Fax:      404-657-2773 

Mail:     Georgia Department of Public Health

             Babies Can’t Wait Program

             200 Piedmont Avenue, SE 

             Atlanta, GA 30334

             Attn: State Complaints 

Page last updated: 6/5/23