Your child needs more than a regular daycare can provide. They need nurses who can manage a trach, a G-tube, or a seizure protocol. They need therapists who show up every day, not once a month. And you need all of it covered by Medicaid so it costs your family nothing.
That is exactly what a PPECC does. If you live in Houston or Harris County, you have options, and this guide breaks down every one of them.
What Is a PPECC?
PPECC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center) is Texas's name for medical daycare. It is a licensed, non-residential facility where children with complex medical needs receive skilled nursing, therapy, and developmental care during the day.
Your child gets hospital-level medical attention while playing, socializing, and hitting milestones. You get peace of mind and the freedom to work, rest, or take care of everything else.
PPECC services in Texas are 100% covered by Medicaid, including STAR Kids managed care plans. No copays. No deductibles. No bills.
Quick note on naming: Most states call it PPEC. Texas adds the extra "C" for "Center." The care is the same. If you've seen both terms, they mean the same thing. Learn how PPEC works nationwide.
PPECC Centers in the Houston Metro Area
Houston families have several PPECC options. Here are the centers serving Harris County and the surrounding area:
Spark Pediatrics Houston
- Address: 6440 Sands Point Drive, Houston, TX 77074
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Ages: 6 weeks to 20 years
- Accepts: Texas Medicaid, STAR Kids
- Website: sparkpediatrics.com/locations/houston-center
Spark Pediatrics is Florida's largest PPEC provider with 15 centers statewide. The Houston center (formerly Joycare Pediatric Day Health Center) brings that same proven model to Texas. That means 1:3 nurse-to-child ratios, NICU- and PICU-experienced nurses, and integrated therapy under one roof.
Spark Pediatrics Katy
- Address: Katy, TX (west Houston metro)
- Ages: 6 weeks to 20 years
- Accepts: Texas Medicaid, STAR Kids
- Website: sparkpediatrics.com/locations/katy-center
Convenient for families in west Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Katy ISD areas.
Sunshine Pediatric Day Center
- Location: Houston, TX
- Services: Skilled nursing, therapy, enrichment programs
- Website: sunshinepediatricdaycenter.com
Sunshine operates PPECC centers in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and East Texas.
Little Stars Pediatric Center
- Locations: Pasadena, TX and Texas City, TX
- Ages: 6 weeks to 20 years
- Services: Skilled nursing, therapy, social services, educational programs
- Website: littlestarsppec.com
An option for families in southeast Harris County, Pasadena, and the Galveston County area.
Looking for more providers? The TMHP Online Provider Lookup lists all enrolled PPECC providers in Texas. Search by your zip code and select "PPECC" as the provider type. You can also check the Texas PPECC Association for member centers.
What Happens at a Houston PPECC Every Day?
Picture your child's day: a nurse who knows their name greets them at drop-off, checks vitals, and manages their medical needs throughout the morning. Between nursing care, a therapist works on speech goals or motor skills. After lunch (prepared to their dietary requirements), there is sensory play, storytime, and socializing with other kids.
Here is what Houston PPECCs provide under one roof (full services list):
- Skilled nursing: Trach suctioning, G-tube feeds, ventilator checks, seizure protocols, medication administration, wound care
- On-site therapy: PT, OT, speech, and feeding therapy integrated into the daily routine
- Developmental play: Age-appropriate learning, sensory activities, and peer interaction
- Nutrition: Meal plans customized to each child's feeding needs and restrictions
- Caregiver coaching: Staff train you on home care techniques so you feel confident after hours
No two children follow the same schedule. Every child gets an individualized plan of care built around their specific conditions and goals.
Does My Child Qualify for PPECC in Houston?
Most Houston families who need PPECC qualify. Here is the checklist:
- Texas Medicaid enrollment. This includes STAR Kids managed care plans, which cover the majority of medically complex children in Harris County.
- Age: birth through 20. No minimum age. Infants as young as 6 weeks attend Houston PPECCs.
- A complex medical condition. Your child needs skilled nursing or ongoing therapeutic care. Conditions include cerebral palsy, tracheostomy, ventilator dependence, seizure disorders, respiratory failure, and 30+ others.
- A physician order. Your child's doctor writes a prescription for PPECC services.
- Prior authorization. Your STAR Kids plan or TMHP (for traditional Medicaid) approves the services. The PPECC center helps you with this step.
- A signed plan of care. You, the doctor, and the center's nursing team collaborate on your child's individualized care plan.
Not sure where you stand? Check eligibility with Spark Pediatrics. We walk Houston families through every step.
Important: December 2024 Criteria Update
Texas revised PPECC benefit criteria on December 1, 2024, changing medical necessity requirements and documentation standards. If your child was denied before December 2024, reapply. The new guidelines may change your outcome. Contact us and we will help you navigate the updated process.
PPECC is governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 248A and Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Chapter 550. These set the licensing, staffing, and safety standards every Houston PPECC must meet.
What Does PPECC Cost in Houston?
Nothing. PPECC is 100% covered by Texas Medicaid and STAR Kids. That includes nursing, therapy, meals, supplies, and the facility itself.
Here are the numbers Houston parents need to know:
- Up to 12 hours per day, between 5 AM and 9 PM
- 400 hours per year through Texas Medicaid
- $0 out of pocket. No copays, no deductibles, no surprise bills.
- Ages: birth through 20
Harris County families also qualify for free Medicaid transportation to and from the center. That means door-to-door rides from neighborhoods across the Houston metro. Spark Pediatrics coordinates transportation for families in The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Katy, Pearland, and everywhere in between.
For a full breakdown of Texas PPECC rules, read our complete Texas PPECC guide.
How to Choose a PPECC in Houston
Not all centers are the same. Before you enroll, visit and evaluate:
Staffing
This matters most.
- Nurse-to-child ratio. The gold standard is 1:3 or better. Ask what the ratio is throughout the day, not just at peak staffing.
- Pediatric experience. Look for nurses with NICU, PICU, or pediatric home health backgrounds.
- Condition-specific training. If your child has a tracheostomy or is ventilator-dependent, confirm the nurses handle those cases daily.
Therapy Integration
The best centers offer therapy on-site alongside medical care. No separate appointments, no extra driving. Ask how therapists and nurses coordinate goals for your child.
Environment and Communication
- Is the space clean, bright, and organized?
- Are there age-appropriate toys, books, and sensory activities?
- Can you call and speak with your child's nurse during the day?
- Can you visit without scheduling ahead?
Centers that limit when parents can call or visit are not worth your time.
For a deeper walkthrough, read 7 tips every parent should know when choosing a PPEC.
How Houston Families Enroll in PPECC
The enrollment process has fewer steps than most parents expect. Here is how it works at Spark Pediatrics Houston:
- Call us first. Reach out through our Get Started page or call the Houston center directly. We check your child's Medicaid status and talk through their needs.
- We coordinate with your doctor. Your child's physician writes the PPECC order. If they are unfamiliar with PPECC, we educate them on the process.
- We handle prior authorization. Our team submits the paperwork to your STAR Kids plan or TMHP. You do not need to chase this.
- Tour the center. Come see the space, meet the nurses, ask questions. Bring your child if you want.
- Start care. Most Houston families go from first call to first day within a few weeks.
Questions along the way? We are here. Our Houston team walks families through every step.
Why Houston Families Choose Spark Pediatrics
Spark Pediatrics brought everything that makes us Florida's most trusted PPEC provider to Houston.
- 1:3 nurse-to-child ratio. Your child gets focused attention from nurses who know them by name.
- NICU and PICU experienced nurses. Our caregivers come from pediatric intensive care backgrounds. They stay calm when it matters.
- Fewer hospital visits. Families using PPEC consistently report fewer emergency admissions compared to home care alone.
- Integrated therapy. PT, OT, speech, and feeding therapy happen alongside medical care. No separate appointments.
- Free door-to-door transportation. We coordinate Medicaid transportation across the Houston metro.
- Multilingual staff. Our teams speak English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
- No waitlist (limited spots). The Houston center is currently accepting new patients, but enrollment spaces are limited.
Your child deserves expert care and a real childhood. Schedule a tour of our Houston center or check if your child qualifies.
Frequently Asked Questions About PPECC in Houston
What is PPECC and how is it different from PPEC?
Same thing, different name. PPECC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center) is what Texas calls it. Most other states drop the last "C" and call it PPEC. The care, licensing, and Medicaid coverage work the same way. If you are researching options and see both terms, they refer to the same type of medical daycare.
Is there really no cost for Houston families?
Correct. Texas Medicaid and STAR Kids plans cover PPECC at 100%. That includes nursing, therapy, meals, and supplies. There are no copays, no deductibles, and no hidden fees. If your child has Medicaid, PPECC will not cost you a dollar.
My child is an infant. Can they attend?
Yes. Houston PPECC centers accept children as young as 6 weeks old through age 20. Many families enroll infants who were recently discharged from the NICU and need continued skilled nursing and developmental support.
What if we live outside Harris County but near Houston?
PPECC is available to any child enrolled in Texas Medicaid, regardless of which county you live in. Families from Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, and Liberty counties all attend Houston-area centers. Medicaid transportation can also cover the commute.
How do I find all PPECC centers near me?
Search the TMHP Online Provider Lookup by your zip code and select "PPECC" as provider type. The Texas PPECC Association also lists member centers. Or ask your child's pediatrician or STAR Kids case manager for a referral.
Can I keep working full-time while my child attends?
Yes. That is one of the biggest benefits. Houston PPECC centers operate up to 12 hours per day, giving parents time to work, go to school, care for siblings, or simply rest. Many families tell us PPECC is what made it possible to keep their job.
What makes a PPECC different from a regular daycare?
Regular daycares are not equipped for complex medical needs. They do not have nurses on staff, cannot manage trachs or ventilators, and are not trained for seizure protocols. PPECCs are licensed medical facilities with registered nurses, licensed therapists, and individualized care plans. See the full comparison.
Is Spark Pediatrics Houston accepting new patients?
Yes. Both our Houston and Katy centers are enrolling new families. Spots are limited, so we recommend reaching out early. Check eligibility or contact us to get started.