Do you need help finding services? The resources below are a phone
call or a web link away. Each organization maintains a current list of
resources and information to get you started in the right direction or
at least answer questions you may have.
The Georgia Department of Public Health Resource
Directory for Pregnant Women and Their Families includes state,
county and local health and social service agencies and organizations
that may be available to assist you. You are encouraged to contact these
groups if you need more information so you can make an informed decision.
- Community Resources Telephone Help Line - "Powerline"
- The Powerline is a fast
way to find the care you need including medical and dental referrals,
Medicaid providers, low-cost prenatal health services, and other healthcare
referrals and public health programs. The Powerline has English and
Spanish-speaking staff available from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday. In Atlanta call 770-451-5501, or within Georgia call
toll free at 1-800-822-2539.
- Medical Assistance Benefits for Prenatal Care, Childbirth and Neonatal
Care
- You may qualify for financial help for medical care depending on your
income. For people who qualify, programs such as the Right
from the Start Medicaid (RSM) program may help pay your bills for
the cost of doctor, clinic, hospital and other related medical expenses
for prenatal care, childbirth delivery services and care for newborns.
For information about RSM and to locate a RSM specialist in your area,
call 1-800-809-7276 or visit the website.
- Safe Place for Newborns
- The Georgia “Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002”,
Official Code of Georgia Annotated 19-10A1, became effective August
13, 2002. This law allows a mother to leave her newborn baby within
seven days of birth at any hospital in Georgia. The newborn must be
left with a hospital employee and the mother must leave her name and
address. Additional information can be obtained at http://www.safeplacefornewborns.org/statefiles/ga.html
or call the Newborn Lifeline Network 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
toll free 1-877-440-2229. Interpreters are available.
- Adoption As An Option
- Counseling and support services are a key part of adoption and are
available from a number of adoption agencies, both public and private.
Further information on adoption can be found at:
- Private Organizations Offering Alternatives to Abortion
- These organizations offer a variety of services to meet the needs
of pregnant women. Services may include free pregnancy testing and other
forms of assistance. These centers do not offer abortions or abortion
referrals. Further information can be found at the OptionLine at http://optionline.org
or by calling 1-800-395-4357.
- Public Health
- Your County Health Department provides a wide range of services for
your community. Included are information and referrals, pregnancy tests,
prenatal care referrals, well-child check-ups and developmental screening
and immunizations.Search
for locations of health departments in Georgia.
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- The WIC Program
is Public Health’s supplemental food and nutrition program. This
program provides nutrition education, vouchers for supplemental foods
and referrals to other health and human services. The program is for
lowincome pregnant women, breastfeeding and postpartum women and infants
and young children who are at nutritional risk. Locate the nearest WIC
office through your public health department or the WIC toll-free line
at 1-800- 228-9173. Search
for locations of health departments in Georgia.
- Mental Health
- The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Division
of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases
offers screening assessments for those seeking mental health or addictive disease services. If screening shows the
need, a comprehensive evaluation will follow, leading to services by
the appropriate agency. In other cases a referral to other services or agencies is provided. Additional information
about state mental health services, including emergency contact numbers,
can be obtained at http://www.mhddad.dhr.georgia.gov.
MHDDAD Service Locator
- Child Care and Educational Services
- Bright from the Start: Georgia
Department of Early Care and Learning ensures that quality child
care, early childhood education, and nutrition programs are available
to Georgia’s children from birth through age five and their families. To learn more
about the services offered by Bright from the Start, including information
on child care providers in your area, visit http://decal.state.ga.us
or call 404-656-5957 or toll free 1-888-442-1135. Search
for child care providers in your area..
- Head Start
- Head
Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs
that are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school
readiness of young
children in low-income families. Georgia
Head Start Agency Locator.
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