Parenting a child with complex medical needs on the Treasure Coast comes with unique challenges. You're already doing an amazing job—and now you're looking for support that understands your journey. At Spark Pediatrics, we provide specialized medical daycare (PPEC) where your child receives expert nursing care while enjoying the social benefits of being with other kids. Ready to learn more? Schedule a free consultation with our Stuart center.
What is PPEC? Medical Daycare Explained
PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care) is specialized medical daycare for children with complex healthcare needs. It combines skilled nursing care with developmental activities in a safe, social environment.
At a PPEC center like Spark Pediatrics, your child receives continuous nursing supervision while participating in age-appropriate activities. This allows children with feeding tubes, ventilators, seizure disorders, and other complex conditions to receive necessary medical care while experiencing the joy of making friends and learning.
Unlike traditional daycare, PPEC centers maintain lower staff-to-child ratios (typically 1:3) and are staffed by nurses with pediatric expertise. This makes PPEC different from traditional daycare in fundamental ways that benefit medically complex children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that children with medical complexity need specialized environments where both their healthcare and developmental needs can be addressed simultaneously.
Medicaid Coverage for PPEC in Martin County
For eligible children in Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, Medicaid covers 100% of PPEC services with zero out-of-pocket costs for your family.
To qualify for covered PPEC services, your child typically needs to:
- Be between birth and 20 years of age
- Have a medical condition requiring ongoing nursing supervision
- Be cleared by their doctor to receive care in a non-residential setting
Navigating Medicaid paperwork can be overwhelming when you're already managing your child's care. While Spark can't handle the entire process, our team is here to help answer your questions about the application process, assist with gathering necessary documentation, and help make the process smoother. For complete details, check out our guide to securing Medicaid coverage for PPEC services.
For official Medicaid information, visit the Florida Medicaid website.
PPEC Centers on the Treasure Coast (2025)
The Treasure Coast has several PPEC options, primarily in Martin and St. Lucie counties. Families in Indian River County often travel to a center in a neighboring county.
Spark Pediatrics – Stuart (Martin County)
Located on Federal Highway, our Stuart center provides a warm, welcoming environment where medical care and childhood fun go hand-in-hand. Before deciding where to enroll your child, we recommend using these tips for evaluating the best PPEC center for your child.
Address: 1788 SE Indian Street, Unit J-K, Stuart, FL 34997
Phone: (813) 798-2809
Explore our Stuart center's facilities and team
Other PPEC Providers in the Area
To give you a complete picture, here are other licensed PPEC centers on the Treasure Coast:
Bridges PPEC Center (St. Lucie County)
Address: 378 Southwest Prima Vista Boulevard, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34983
Phone: (772) 224-2582
Martin County PPEC (Martin County)
Address: 310 Southwest Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 288-6466
Advanced Care Partners PPEC (St. Lucie County)
Address: 3451 SW Darwin Blvd, Building 5, Suite 620, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953
For Indian River County Families:
Currently, there are no licensed PPEC centers located directly in Indian River County. Families in Vero Beach and Sebastian typically access services at centers in Port St. Lucie or Stuart, with transportation options available to help with the commute.
How to Enroll Your Child in PPEC
Enrolling your child in a PPEC center involves several steps, but you don't have to navigate them alone. Here's a straightforward process:
- Get a Doctor's Order
Your child's doctor prescribes PPEC services based on medical need. We can help by communicating with their office. - Visit Potential Centers
Schedule tours at centers you're considering. This gives you a chance to see the environment and meet the team who would be caring for your child. - Medicaid Authorization
The PPEC center will help guide you through submitting necessary paperwork to Medicaid for approval. - Create a Care Plan
The nursing team works collaboratively with your child's healthcare providers and your family to develop a personalized care plan that addresses your child's specific needs.
The timeline for completing enrollment varies depending on several factors, including how quickly medical documentation can be gathered and Medicaid approval. For more details, see our comprehensive PPEC enrollment guide.
Transportation Options for Martin County Families
We understand that reliable transportation is essential for accessing PPEC services, especially if you're traveling from another county.
Medicaid Transportation
Medicaid provides free transportation services for eligible children attending PPEC centers. Spark helps families coordinate this service to ensure consistency and proper medical support during transit.
The official Medicaid transportation coordinator for Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties (Region 9) is MTM. For more information, visit the MTM Florida website or see our comprehensive guide to medical daycare transportation options.
County Paratransit Services
Each county on the Treasure Coast offers local paratransit services for eligible residents:
- Martin County: MARTY
- St. Lucie County: Treasure Coast Connector
- Indian River County: GoLine
Therapy and Healthcare Resources Nearby
One advantage of PPEC is that it provides a welcoming environment for your child's therapists to conduct sessions. This helps consolidate care and reduces the number of separate appointments you need to manage.
Local Healthcare Resources
- Cleveland Clinic Martin Health: Provides pediatric care for families in Stuart and Port St. Lucie.
- HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital: A major regional medical center in Fort Pierce with a Pediatric ER, PICU, and Level III NICU.
- Florida State University - Early Steps Program: Provides vital early intervention services for children from birth to three years.
Therapy at Spark Pediatrics
Our Stuart center provides dedicated space for physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapies. Your child's existing therapists can provide services at our center, making it easier to coordinate care.
Wondering what your child's experience will be like? See what a typical day looks like for children at our PPEC centers.
Community Support Programs
Caring for a child with complex medical needs takes a village. These local organizations offer additional support:
- United Way of Martin County: Connects families with local health and human services resources.
- The Arc of St. Lucie County: Provides advocacy and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Children's Home Society of Florida (Treasure Coast): Offers family support, counseling, and other services to help families thrive.
Parent Experiences at Spark Pediatrics
The experiences of other parents can provide valuable insight as you consider PPEC for your child:
"My son has been attending Spark for more than a year and we absolutely love, love Spark. The nurses and staff take the best care of the children and I know my son is in a great environment where he can learn and play. His cognition abilities have improved since attending Spark and they always have the best activities for the children throughout the week!"
— Mom of 2-year-old son, Stuart Center
"They think of your child first. Your child goes first in their mind. And they'll do anything to make your child happy, and yourself. It's wonderful how well they seem to be able to link the two. Because sometimes you can only satisfy a child and the parent won't be happy, but that hasn't happened with me. They've been able to satisfy the both of us."
— Mom of 6-year-old daughter
Read more success stories from Spark families
Frequently Asked Questions About PPEC on the Treasure Coast
Is PPEC really 100% covered? What's the catch?
Yes, it's really 100% covered for children with qualifying Medicaid plans. There is no catch. PPEC is a recognized Medicaid service designed to provide more effective care and reduce hospital visits, which is why it is fully covered.
How can I trust someone else with my child's complex needs?
We understand this concern completely. Trust is earned. Our centers are staffed by experienced pediatric nurses who specialize in complex conditions. We encourage you to take a tour, meet our Nursing Director, ask tough questions, and see the environment for yourself. The safety and well-being of your child is our absolute highest priority.
My child has a trach and a feeding tube. Can you handle that?
Absolutely. Our nurses are trained and experienced in all forms of pediatric complex care, including tracheostomy care, ventilator support, G-tubes, seizure management, and more. We work directly with your child's doctors to follow their specific care plan precisely.
I live in Vero Beach. Is the drive to Stuart too far?
We serve many families who travel from Indian River and St. Lucie counties. Medicaid transportation services make this possible, and we help coordinate these arrangements to make the logistics as smooth as possible so your child can access the care they need.
How do you communicate with parents during the day?
We provide consistent communication in the way that works best for you. Through the Hi Momma app, we share photos, videos, and updates on feeding, naps, and activities. You can also call or text our nurses anytime for an immediate update.
Explore more frequently asked questions about PPEC services
Next Steps: Visit Our Stuart Center
The best way to know if Spark is the right fit for your family is to see our center firsthand. Come meet our experienced team of pediatric specialists, tour our facilities, and feel the warm, supportive atmosphere for yourself.
You've been managing so much. Let us be your partner in care.
En Español
Guía de Guarderías Médicas y Servicios Pediátricos para el Condado de Martin y la Costa del Tesoro