Three Georgia Department of Public Health South Health District child health programs were recognized for excellence, innovation and family engagement during the 2026 Georgia Child Health Conference.

During the June conference, the district's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program received the Access and Innovation Award, Children's Medical Services (CMS) earned the Champions of Family Engagement Award, and Children 1st (C1st) was honored with the Excellence in Performance Award.

The Access and Innovation Award recognizes programs that demonstrate exceptional community partnerships, adaptability and a commitment to improving access to care. South Health District's District EHDI Coordinator, Catina Everett, was recognized for expanding access to hearing services for newborns through innovative tele-diagnostic partnerships.

During the awards presentation, Everett was recognized for identifying families' need for faster access to diagnostic hearing services and taking action to address those barriers. She helped establish two remote tele-diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) teams in partnership with Georgia Mobile Audiology and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta audiologists, bringing critical services directly to local communities. Her leadership and commitment to the national 1-3-6 EHDI model have helped ensure infants receive timely diagnosis and intervention without unnecessary travel or delays.

The Children 1st program received the Excellence in Performance Award for outstanding achievement in connecting children and families to essential healthcare services. The program was recognized for meeting key state performance measures, including completing developmental screenings for eligible children and ensuring that at least 80 percent of infants and children completing maternal and child health assessments are connected with a primary healthcare provider.

"I am honored that our district's Children 1st program received the Excellence in Performance Award," said Reomona Thomas, RN, MSN, District Children 1st Coordinator. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of our Children 1st team. As we move forward, our goal remains the same, to continue providing exceptional service and support to the children and families we serve."

The Children's Medical Services (CMS) program was recognized with the Champions of Family Engagement Award for its commitment to creating meaningful experiences for families beyond traditional clinical care. The program was honored for its community outreach efforts, partnerships with local organizations and school districts, and dedication to building strong relationships with families while providing specialized medical services.

"Our staff love what they do and are always thinking of new ways to serve our families," said Kirbi Spires, BSN, RNC-OB, CMS Program Coordinator. "We are proud of this recognition because it reflects our commitment to bringing joy and positive experiences to families, even as they navigate complex medical diagnoses."

"Our child health teams work tirelessly every day to improve the lives of children and families throughout South Georgia," said District Deputy Health Director and Program Manager Dwain Butler, DrPH. "These awards recognize not only outstanding performance, but also the compassion, innovation and dedication our staff bring to their work every day."

To learn more about South Health District's Child Health Programs, visit southhealthdistrict.com/child-health-programs or contact your local health department.