First Steps

Have you ever wondered what our world would be like if children were never mistreated? Have you ever thought about how little time it would take if everyone reached out to prevent child abuse? Douglas Public Health has a program designed to address those questions!

For more information on how to become a volunteer for First Steps please call Beverly Kartheiser at (770) 739-3215.

Douglas Public Health has partnered with Douglas CORE, WellStar Cobb and Douglas Hospitals, Prevent Child Abuse Douglas, and the Georgia Children’s Trust Fund Commission to provide First Steps, a program of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. First Steps is a volunteer-driven program that mentors first-time mothers in Douglas County.

First Steps is the supportive partner piece of our Healthy Families program ensuring that all families receive the degree of support they need. First Steps needs volunteers to provide education and support services to our Douglas County moms. We need your help to make the difference we know is possible if everyone reached out.

New mothers receive a visit in the hospital during which the volunteer provides one-on-one education and support with an information packet that includes a developmental calendar, resource directory, and educational material on such topics as SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, post partum depression, infant development, and the role of a father.

The volunteer then provides supportive telephone contact every two weeks for the first three months after birth. The first months in an infant’s life can be critical and a First Steps volunteer can be the front line for education, support, and referrals to community resources to help a family in this time of change and adaptation.

Volunteers can choose the day and time to visit and make follow-up calls. The option of providing only telephone support is also available. Flexible opportunities to be a volunteer are available at WellStar’s Cobb Hospital, Emory Parkway Medical Center, and WellStar Douglas Hospital. The First Steps coordinator provides orientation and training to the volunteers with on-going support. By volunteering for as few as 6 to 8 hours a month you can make a significant difference in the life of a mother and her child!