Special needs navigator
Waivers and programs for children with special needs in Georgia
Katie Beckett is one door. Georgia also runs early-intervention, waiver and support programs, each with its own rules. Here is what each one does, who it is for, and what Dare2Care provides for the application.
At a glance
Georgia programs compared
| Program | Who it is for | What it provides | Where to apply | Our part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katie Beckett (TEFRA) Medicaid | Children under 18 with a significant disability, any family income | Full Medicaid, usually secondary to commercial insurance | Georgia Medicaid, often through an independent consultant | Physician forms and the full medical documentation package |
| Babies Can’t Wait | Birth to age 3 with a developmental delay or a qualifying condition | Early-intervention services at home or in child care, service coordination | Georgia Department of Public Health, self-referral or referral from us | Referral, developmental screening results and diagnosis documentation |
| Children’s Medical Services | Birth to 21 with a chronic condition, income-based | Specialty care coordination and help paying for specialty services | Georgia Department of Public Health | Referral and medical records |
| NOW and COMP waivers | Children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities | In-home supports, respite, community services; long waiting list | Georgia DBHDD regional office | Diagnosis documentation and psychological evaluation records |
| SSI for children | Children with disabilities in low-income families | Monthly cash benefit and automatic Medicaid eligibility | Social Security Administration | Medical records and functional description for the disability review |
| Georgia Families 360° | Children in foster care and adoption assistance | Medicaid managed care with care coordination | Assigned through DFCS | We serve as primary care provider and coordinate with the caseworker |
How we help
One office, every application
Every program above needs the same thing from your child’s doctor: accurate diagnoses, a clear description of what your child can and cannot do, and the forms signed by a physician who knows the child. We keep that documentation current so a new application or a renewal does not start from scratch.
For Babies Can’t Wait we refer directly and share screening results. For waivers and SSI we provide the records and letters, and we coordinate with the program’s case manager once services start. Families using a consultant for Katie Beckett or SSI get a single point of contact at our office.
What we do not do: decide eligibility, complete the family sections of an application, or give legal or financial advice. Parent to Parent of Georgia and the programs’ own offices are the right places for those questions.
Questions
Program questions
Can a child be on more than one program?
Yes. A child on Katie Beckett Medicaid may also receive Babies Can’t Wait services before age 3, be on the NOW or COMP waiting list, and receive Children’s Medical Services coordination. We keep track of which documentation each program needs.
Is there a waiting list?
The NOW and COMP waivers have a long waiting list, often years. Katie Beckett, Babies Can’t Wait and SSI do not; they are decided on eligibility. Applying for the waivers early is the usual advice, even while other coverage is in place.
Where do I start?
With a visit. Tell us what your child needs help with and we map the programs that fit, order any evaluations that are missing, and start the documentation. The special needs navigator explains what happens next.
Sources
Where this comes from
Sources: Georgia Medicaid, TEFRA/Katie Beckett program page (medicaid.georgia.gov); Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (dbhdd.georgia.gov); Georgia Department of Public Health, Babies Can’t Wait and Children’s Medical Services (dph.georgia.gov); Social Security Administration, SSI for children (ssa.gov). Program rules change; the state’s own pages are the final word. Content checked September 18, 2026.
Not sure which program fits?
Call or text (770) 615-7000. We will look at your child’s needs and tell you which applications are worth starting.