Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC)

Quarterly Meeting

Georgia’s Part C Program | Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! We want to hear your ideas, concerns, and thoughts related to the Babies Can’t Wait Program.  Would you like to attend the State ICC meeting? Ask your BCW Service Coordinator about limited financial assistance available to help you with related expenses.

Public Comment 

Time is set aside for public comment during each quarterly meeting of the State Interagency Coordinating Council. If you would like to share any thoughts or ideas about Babies Can’t Wait with the Council please choose one of the options below.

1. Written Comment:

   Send written comments, clearly marked “PUBLIC COMMENT” to fax number 770-342-7699 or email to Phyllis Turner, SICC Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or email Jan Stevenson, SICC Chairperson, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. not later than Wednesday, April 18, 2018. Your comments will be read aloud during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

2. Remote Participation:

   Pre-Register to make Public Comment via remote participation by conference line or telehealth during the meeting. (See instructions below for remote participation.) Email Phyllis Turner, SICC Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or email Jan Stevenson, SICC Chairperson, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. not later than Wednesday, April 18, 2018.You will be recognized to provide public comment remotely during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

3. In person:

   At registration and sign-in on the day of the meeting check “Yes” to the question “Would you like to make public comment?” You will be recognized to provide public comment during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

For more information, please email Phyllis Turner, SICC Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

REMOTE PARTICIPATION

For remote participation during the SICC meeting, please use one of the following options:

Free Conference Line 

• Participants can listen to the public portion of the meeting and make public comment by telephone when recognized by the Council Chairperson at the time set aside for Public Comment on the meeting agenda.

  Dial (641) 552-9446, enter access code: 988041

Telehealth (VICS 

• View and listen to the public portion of the meeting by video conference (VICS) by going to one of the following locations around the state. Participants who pre-register can make public comment when recognized by the Council Chairperson at the time set aside for Public Comment on the meeting agenda. See pre-registration instructions under Public Comment via remote participation. District Early Intervention Coordinators and Local Interagency Coordinating Council members will be given an opportunity to provide updates and information in the order listed on the meeting agenda.

Created: 14 March 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 2208

Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

Blue Ridge (GA) – FREE Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and is provided to eligible women ages 40 to 64 at the Fannin County Health Department.

“Early detection is critical,” said Catherine Knight, RN, Fannin County Nurse Manager.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States and in Georgia, but when found earlier, it is more likely to be treated successfully and women are surviving longer with breast cancer.¹ Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. However, in the past 40 years, the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly. This decline is largely due to many women getting regular Pap tests,(https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm) which can find cervical precancer before it turns into cancer.²

These free Breast and Cervical Cancer screening services are available at the Fannin County Health Department for women who are Georgia residents ages 40 to 64 with limited income and limited or no health insurance:

- Clinical Breast Examination

- Mammogram

- Pap test

- Referrals to treatment through the Women’s Health Medicaid Program

All women who qualify are urged to call the Fannin County Health Department to make an appointment for Free Breast and Cervical Cancer screening at (706) 632-3023 right away! The health department is located at 95 Ouida Street in Blue Ridge. 

¹https://dph.georgia.gov/BCCP

²https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/statistics/index.htm

Created: 09 March 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 2955

Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

Vaccines are available at health departments in North Georgia! 

North GA – Think about it. Which seems better? The quick sting of a vaccination or the painful consequences of a disease that last much longer? 

In an effort to protect every adult and child, the Georgia Department of Public Health established Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week, observed March 12-16, 2018, to serve as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines for preteens and teens are available at public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. 

“Often, parents don’t realize that the health of a preteen or teen is still a priority, and though adolescents may become increasingly aware of their health and the need for vaccinations, many don’t take it seriously enough to pursue going to their doctor or local health department,” said Ashley Ridley, RN, BSHA, Immunizations Coordinator for North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health. "It’s up to parents to make it a priority to have their preteen or teen vaccinated against preventable diseases.” 

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), all students who are born on or after January 1, 2002, are entering or transferring into seventh grade or are “new entrants” into eighth through twelfth grades in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (MenACWY). This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to, charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings (excluding homeschool).  

Vaccines are the best defense we have against serious, preventable and sometimes deadly contagious diseases. They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and meningitis. Immunizations also reduce absences both at school and after school activities and decrease the spread of illness at home, school and the community. 

The CDC currently recommends the following vaccines for preteens and teens:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Influenza (flu)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY)

Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness through schools, health care providers and the media regarding preteen immunizations, particularly Georgia’s pertussis and meningococcal requirements for incoming seventh-grade students. To find out if a preteen or teen is up-to-date on all vaccinations, see a physician or contact the nearest county health department in North Georgia at:

Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023

Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363

Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585

Pickens County Health Department:  60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821

Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 226-2621  

For more information, click here to the immunization section on the Georgia Department of Public Health website.

Created: 06 March 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 2782

Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

PUBLIC NOTICE

Georgia Department of Public Health 

Babies Can’t Wait Program Seeks Public Comment

   Public Comment Period Until May 2, 2018

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) program invites interested persons to participate in a 60-day public comment period for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 Annual State Application under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Stakeholders, early intervention providers, parents and members of the public are encouraged to comment. The grant application and revised policy may be reviewed online or at locations throughout the state.

Participants can submit comments by mail, email, fax or in person: 

1. Written comments will be accepted by mail until May 2, 2018: 

      Babies Can't Wait 

      Attn: Lisa Pennington, Deputy Director Early Intervention 

      2 Peachtree Street NW, 11^th Floor 

      Atlanta, GA 30303-13422 

2. Email comments will be accepted until May 2, 2018: 

            This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  (Subject line: Part C or Public Comment) 

3. Fax comments will be accepted until May 2, 2018:  

            State BCW office fax: (404) 657-7307 

4. In person comments at a public hearing: 

See available locations below. 

DPH invites interested persons to attend public hearings and present public comments. To allow an opportunity for all to be heard, comments will be limited to five minutes.

About Babies Can’t Wait

The Babies Can't Wait (BCW) program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs, from birth to age three, and their families. BCW enhances the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their child to ensure each young child with significant developmental delays achieves his or her maximum developmental potential. To learn more about DPH Babies Can’t Wait program, please call (404) 657-2850 or (888) 651-8224 or visit http://dph.georgia.gov/Babies-Cant-Wait.

About the Georgia Department of Public Health
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters.

DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH, visit dph.ga.gov.

Created: 06 March 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 3230