Help for Parents of Medically Fragile Children - A Little Known Resource

As a parent who raised an amazing human with a diagnosed condition, I remember how exhausting it is to keep up with everything.  From the day we receive that life-changing diagnosis, we are hit with raw emotion, new responsibilities, new fears, and a persistent lack of support.  Even well-intentioned friends and family members sometimes aren’t as helpful as we’d like them to be.   

If you’re the parent of a child with a significant medical condition, it’s important to preserve your own physical and mental health, and one of the best resources for parents is a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) center.  

A Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) center is “a specialized medical daycare designed for children with complex medical needs. It provides skilled nursing care, therapy services, and developmental support in a safe and stimulating environment. Unlike traditional daycare centers, PPECs are staffed with experienced nurses and therapists who manage each child’s individualized medical care, ensuring they receive the support they need while allowing their families to work, attend school, or take respite”, according to Marlene Torres, RN, Director of Nursing at The Mighty Academy PPEC in Clewiston, Florida.  

Children who attend PPEC centers typically need an order from their pediatrician.  The Mighty Academy lists several examples of qualifying medical conditions on their website, but some common ones include a diagnosis that requires ongoing medical supervision, such as respiratory support, tube feedings, seizure management, blood glucose management or medication administration.  Each child’s medical need is determined on a case-by-case basis, and parents can call for a consultation if they aren’t sure whether their child qualifies.   
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With the skilled nursing care, PPECs provide each child: 

• Medical care – Administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and managing medical devices.
• Developmental activities – Age-appropriate learning, play, and social interaction.
• Therapy services – Physical, occupational, and speech therapy (if prescribed).
• Recreational activities – Arts, music, and sensory experiences to promote cognitive and motor skills.

Best of all, PPECs are often covered by Medicaid at 100%! Center staff will assist parents in determining their private insurance coverage. 

Florida has a well established PPEC system.  As the newest PPEC, The Mighty Academy is serving one of the most rural areas in Florida - Hendry, Glades, and western parts of Palm Beach counties, all areas which are traditionally medically underserved.  

What makes them unique, however, is not just their rural location.  In some cases, children can attend The Mighty Academy full time instead of traditional school.  

Founders Melissa Hevia, RN, (Administrator) and Marlene Torres, RN, MSN (Director of Nursing) have roughly two decades of combined experience in pediatric critical care, neonatal intensive care, cardiac intensive care, surgical nursing, and infusion therapy.  In addition to providing high quality nursing care and enriching experiences for the children, Melissa and Marlene focus on empowering parents by helping them navigate and manage their child’s full medical needs. Marlene states, “We help connect our families with valuable community resources and a family-centered approach, keeping parents involved and informed every step of the way while providing some “normalcy” to their family life.”

For those outside of Florida, please keep in mind that PPECs are not available in all states.  PPEC services are primarily available in states that recognize and fund them through Medicaid programs.  In other states, these programs may be called something different, such as Medical Daycare Programs or Pediatric Day Health Centers (PDHCs). However, in many states, families must rely on in-home nursing, private duty nursing, or school-based medical support instead of PPEC centers. If you’re looking for a PPEC or similar program in your state, check with:

• Your state’s Medicaid office
• Pediatricians or specialists familiar with complex medical care
• If these programs are not established, The Mighty Academy recommends checking with local home health agencies that may offer alternative services.

As always, if you or someone you know is a caregiver experiencing burnout or feeling overwhelmed, please contact us at The Mangroves for more information on counseling/therapy services.  Most insurances accepted, telehealth available. 

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