Who Qualifies For The Home Health Aides For Medically Fragile Children Program?

Who Qualifies For The Home Health Aides For Medically Fragile Children Program

Providing care for a medically fragile child can be complicated, not to mention expensive. Here, we answer the question, “Who qualifies for the Home Health Aides For Medically Fragile Children program?” to show you that your family could be eligible.

The Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children program, established under House Bill 391, offers a critical support system for families caring for children with significant medical needs.

The initiative seeks to address the healthcare worker shortage by enabling family caregivers to receive training and gainful employment as home health aides. Understanding who qualifies for this program can help families navigate their options and access the support they need.

Eligibility Criteria For Caregivers

Family caregivers must meet specific criteria to qualify for the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children program. The primary requirement is that the caregiver be a family member of a medically fragile child. Caregivers must also be at least 18 years old and able to read and write. 

Additionally, they must pass background screening requirements. Once these initial qualifications are met, the caregiver must complete in-home training with an RN and pass a skills competency.

Training Requirements

The training process for family caregivers is thorough. It involves a minimum of 85 hours of instruction, including 40 hours of theoretical nursing education, 20 hours of basic nursing skills training, and 16 hours of clinical training conducted under a registered nurse’s (RN) supervision. 

Caregivers are required to undergo specific training on HIV/AIDS, with specific hours as determined by the program. They must also be CPR certified and complete 12 hours of annual in-service training. Additionally, caregivers are required to fulfill six hours of state-mandated training and complete an extra four hours focused on administering medications.

Eligibility Criteria For Children Who Qualifies For The Home Health Aides For Medically Fragile Children Program

Specific eligibility criteria also apply to the child receiving care. The child must be 21 years old or younger and have an underlying physical, mental, or cognitive impairment that prevents them from safely living independently. 

Furthermore, the child must be eligible for skilled or respite care services under the Medicaid program. These criteria ensure that the program supports children with significant medical needs requiring specialized care at home.

Program Benefits

The Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children program offers numerous benefits to support families and their children. By leveraging this program, families can access essential resources, training, and financial support to enhance their caregiving experience significantly. 

In the following section, we will explore the critical advantages of participating in the program, including how it addresses the challenges faced by families and improves overall care for medically fragile children.

Personalized Care 

The Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children program provides personalized care tailored to each child’s unique needs. By employing family caregivers as aides, the program ensures that children receive specialized attention from individuals familiar with their medical requirements.

Family Support 

The program supports families by offering comprehensive training and guidance to caregivers. This helps alleviate the burden of caregiving and equips family members with the skills needed to provide high-quality care at home.

Financial Assistance 

The program addresses financial challenges by offering a competitive hourly rate for family caregivers, subsidized by Medicaid. This financial support helps ease the economic strain associated with caregiving while providing families with the necessary resources to manage their child’s complex needs.

How To Get Started

If you believe your family could benefit from the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children program, Atlantic Care Services is here to help. Start by contacting us to begin the application process. 

We will assist you with verifying Medicaid eligibility, providing the necessary documentation of your child’s medical condition, and enrolling in the required training program. Our dedicated team will guide you through each step, ensuring you meet all criteria and receive the support you need.

Who Qualifies For The Home Health Aides For Medically Fragile Children Program? Contact Us To Discuss Your Eligibility

Contact Atlantic Care Services today to learn more about how we can support you and your family. We are committed to helping you navigate the application process, answering your questions, and providing the resources necessary for exceptional care. Your family’s well-being is our top priority, and we look forward to making a positive difference in your child’s life.

What is the Best Care Option for Your Medically Fragile Child?

child care for medically fragile children

Finding the right child care for medically fragile children is a significant decision for any family. The complexity of medical needs and the emotional weight of ensuring the best environment for your child can be overwhelming. 

Government programs like Medicaid can be a lifeline, offering free or subsidized complex medical needs child care and therapies based on disability rather than income. 

Securing these benefits requires specific diagnoses and the process varies by state. Once your child is on Medicaid, they are also eligible for the new government-sponsored program that we offer at Atlantic Care Services. 

Let’s explore the various care options and why the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program might be the best choice for your family.

Understanding Complex Medical Needs Child Care

Complex medical needs child care encompasses a range of services designed to support children with various disabilities and medical conditions. Under the American Disabilities Act, typical daycares must accommodate children with special needs, but this often falls short of what is required. Many families find securing appropriate and adequate child care challenging, if not impossible.

Types of Child Care For Medically Fragile Children

  • In-Home Care: In-home care provides personalized attention and allows children to stay in a familiar environment. Caregivers with specialized training can handle complex medical needs, making this an ideal choice for children who require constant medical supervision.
  • Specialized Child Care Centers: These centers offer trained staff and adapted facilities to cater to children with significant medical needs. They often provide access to therapies and specialized equipment but can be more costly.
  • Inclusive Child Care Programs: Inclusive programs integrate children with and without special needs, promoting socialization and developmental benefits. These settings provide support within a community environment, fostering peer learning and inclusion.
  • Respite Care: Respite care offers temporary relief for families, giving primary caregivers a break while ensuring their child receives appropriate care. This can range from a few hours to overnight stays or week-long camps.
  • Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children: This program is optimal for many families. It combines the benefits of professional medical care with the comfort and convenience of home-based services.

Why Choose Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children? child care for medically fragile children

Choosing the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program ensures that your child receives consistent, high-quality care from a trained family member tailored to their medical needs. 

This program offers several advantages:

  • Personalized Care: Home health aides are family members trained to handle various medical needs, from tube feedings to ventilator settings, ensuring your child gets the precise care they require.
  • Comfort and Familiarity: Receiving care at home from a trained family member means your child stays in a familiar, comfortable environment, which can lower stress and promote better health outcomes.
  • Reduced Hospital Visits: With skilled care available at home, the frequency of hospital visits can decrease, leading to a more stable and less disruptive routine for your child.

The Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program is designed to offer the best possible care while easing the burden on families. Our dedicated team is committed to supporting your family’s unique needs by ensuring you receive the training necessary to provide your child with the attention and care they deserve.

Why Work with Atlantic Care Services?

At Atlantic Care Services, we understand the unique challenges faced by families with medically fragile children. Our skilled team is dedicated to providing the highest level of training and support through the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program. 

By choosing Atlantic Care Services, you gain access to:

  • Expert Guidance: Our team includes experienced RNs specializing in pediatric care, ensuring you receive top-notch training, support, and guidance.
  • Personalized Care Plans: We work closely with families to develop customized care plans that address each child’s specific needs.
  • Reliable Communication: Our dedication to open communication ensures that family caregivers can always reach out to Atlantic Care Services with any questions or concerns about their child’s care.

Contact Us Today

Choosing the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program with Atlantic Care Services means partnering with a dedicated team that prioritizes your child’s health and well-being. 

Contact Atlantic Care Services today to learn how this program can benefit your family and provide the peace of mind you need. Together, we can create a brighter, healthier future for your child.

Our Story

A Passion For Helping Others

Our founder and CEO, Jason Coons, has always had a passion for healthcare and helping others. His sister Noell was born with Spina Bifida. Jason saw his sister go through multiple surgeries, receive in-home care, and face many day-to-day challenges with her disability. His sister is now thriving and owns her own company, TheBrideBox.com.

In addition, Jason’s son, Zachary, was born in 2017 with two rare defects, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and Omphalocele. Zachary received lifesaving care and surgeries in the NICU at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL, and spent 103 days in the hospital. Zach came home with oxygen and a Gtube and required multiple follow-up surgeries to continue his repair. Because of the great care and love he received, he is a happy and thriving young boy now!

Jason’s experience and success working in the home health industry for six years prior to starting Atlantic Care Services and his personal experiences as a brother and father showed him the way to create a home health company he could be proud of. Jaime Gonzalez, our COO, worked with Jason at his previous home health company. Jaime described Jason as creating an incredibly positive work and team culture. People no longer felt like they had to work but that they wanted to work.

Jason knew that treating caregivers like gold in every way possible and supporting them in both their careers and their personal lives would result in a culture and place where families would want to come to receive care and caregivers would want to stay.

January 31st, 2018, is the day that Jason secured the license for Atlantic Care Services from the state of Florida. The first patient joined on October 2nd, 2019. Ever since then, the company has continued to grow and make a positive impact on the home healthcare community.

We come together every day to think of new ways to keep our caregivers happy and ensure there is no better home health company to work for. Having the best compensation and benefits in the industry is only a part of it! Keep reading to find out more about our benefits, rewards, and recognition programs.

 

As working parents, it is hard to care for our child and give them the undivided attention they need while providing for the family at the same time. Atlantic Care Services and their staff always puts our child’s best interest first.
 

― Marlon G