Clinical Services Perinatal Health

Perinatal Health

The perinatal period begins before a woman becomes a woman becomes pregnant and continues through pregnancy, childbirth and the infant's first year of life. Perinatal health is the total physical, mental and social well being of a woman and her baby during this time.

The DeKalb County Board of Health is concerned about the wellness of mothers and babies. Our focus is fostering healthy pregnancies and babies through several programs.

Family Planning

The Family Planning Program helps women space their children and prevent unintended pregnancies. This improves the health of both women and children. Services include:

  • Physical exams
  • Birth control counseling and methods
  • Treatment
  • and more

The Board of Health serves all women, including teens and Medicade-eligible women. Fees for women who are not eligible for Medicaid are on a sliding fee scale. For more information contact us.

Perinatal Case Management

Perinatal Case Management coordinates a variety of services for Medicaid-eligible pregnant women. These include medical, nutritional, social, educational and community services. An individual case manager is assigned to each pregnant woman to provide counseling and referral services. For more information, contact the health center nearest you.

Pregnancy Related Services

Pregnancy Related Services provides post-partum (after birth) care to women and their infants. All post-partum women are eligible to participate. The program is Medicaid reimbursable. There may be a nominal charge for non-Medicaid recipients. For more information, call the health center nearest you.

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening

The Board of Health offers hearing screening for infants who missed the initial hospital screening and those referred for a repeat screening. All DeKalb County newborns are eligible, including those born at home. Services are Medicaid reimbursable. Payment assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, contact the health center nearest you.

Babies Can't Wait

Babies Can't Wait serves children from birth until their third birthday whose development is lagging. The delay can be in the child's physical, mental, communication, social and/or emotional abilities. Children with a medical diagnosis that can cause development delays (like Down's syndrome, spina bifida or cerebral palsy) may also be eligible. Babies Can't Wait evaluates the child's needs and plans and coordinates services at no cost. Fees for direct services such as physical or speech therapy are based on a sliding fee scale. For more information, call 404-294-3833.

Children 1st

Children 1st ensures that children are healthy and ready for school success. Eligibility depends on the medical, socioeconomic and environmental needs of the child and/or family. The program identifies, screens, assesses and monitors at-risk children ages birth to five years. For more information, call (404) 370-7374.

Children's Medical Services

Children's Medical Services helps families obtain resources for children from birth through age 21 years who have an eligible medical condition. Eligible conditions include but are not limited to heart, skeletal, vision and hearing conditions. The program may also help pay for medically necessary equipment and treatment. There are financial eligibility guidelines to participate in this service. For more information, call (404) 294-3722.