For parents of children with complex medical needs in Pinellas County, finding the right support can feel overwhelming. You're juggling therapies, coordinating with specialists at Johns Hopkins All Children's, and handling daily care challenges. You need a partner who understands, and you deserve a moment to breathe. Schedule a tour of our Clearwater center to see how we can help your family thrive.
What Is PPEC? Medical Daycare in Pinellas County Explained
PPEC stands for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. Think of it as medical daycare staffed by skilled pediatric nurses and therapists. It's where children with significant medical needs receive clinical care while also getting to play, learn, and make friends with kids on similar journeys.
Unlike standard daycare, a PPEC is equipped to manage complex medical equipment and protocols, from feeding tubes and respiratory support to seizure management. It combines expert medical oversight with a joyful, developmental childhood experience.
Each center maintains at least one highly experienced pediatric nurse on site at all times, with a typical staff-to-child ratio of 1:3 to ensure your child receives the attention they need.
Learn more about what PPEC centers provide for children with complex medical needs
Medicaid Coverage for PPEC in Pinellas County: 100% Free for Eligible Children
Yes, for eligible children in Pinellas County, Medicaid provides 100% coverage for PPEC services. This means zero out-of-pocket cost to your family.
Your child is eligible if they:
- Are between birth and 20 years old
- Have a medical condition requiring daily skilled nursing care (prescribed by their doctor)
- Are medically stable enough to be cared for safely in a non-residential setting
We Help Navigate the Insurance Process
Medicaid paperwork can be confusing. While we can't handle every aspect of the process, our team at Spark Pediatrics helps answer your questions about paperwork, coordinates with your child's doctors, and makes the enrollment process smoother so you can focus on your child.
How Medicaid fully covers PPEC services for eligible children
For official information about Florida Medicaid coverage, visit the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
PPEC Centers in Pinellas County (2023 Updated List)
Pinellas County has several PPEC options. We encourage you to tour any center you're considering to find the right fit for your family.
Spark Pediatrics – Clearwater
Located centrally in Clearwater, Our Clearwater Center provides a warm, loving environment where medical care and childhood fun go hand-in-hand. We're dedicated to becoming a true partner to our families.
Address: 5291 110th Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33760
Phone: (813) 798-2809
Other Providers in Pinellas County
Pediatric Health Choice PPEC
Location: 3110 75th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Phone: (727) 343-0010
Sunshine Pediatric Center
Location: 6449 38th Ave N, Suite G4, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
How to evaluate and choose the right PPEC near you
How to Enroll Your Child in a Pinellas County PPEC: Simple Steps
We know you have enough on your plate. Here's how the enrollment process works:
- Get a Doctor's Prescription: Your pediatrician or specialist must prescribe PPEC services. We can provide the required forms to their office.
- Tour and Choose a Center: Schedule a visit to meet the staff, see the facility, and ask your questions.
- Medicaid Assistance: We'll help guide you through the Medicaid authorization process, though you'll need to complete some paperwork yourself.
- Prepare for Day One: Our nursing team will work collaboratively with your child's healthcare providers to create a care plan and help you prepare for a great first day.
Time to complete: The enrollment process typically takes about 1-2 weeks.
Step-by-step guide to enrolling your child in PPEC services
Transportation to PPEC in Pinellas County: How It Works
Medicaid provides free transportation for eligible children, and we help make this process easier for families.
How Spark Helps With Transportation
While we don't operate our own transportation fleet, we help coordinate Medicaid transportation for you. We ensure the transportation provider understands your child's needs and work to establish consistent pick-up and drop-off times.
Transportation Options in Pinellas County
Medicaid Transportation Broker: For Pinellas County, ModivCare is the official broker that arranges free non-emergency medical transportation for eligible Medicaid recipients.
Local Paratransit: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) runs PSTA Access, a door-to-door paratransit service for residents whose disabilities prevent them from using regular buses.
Complete guide to medical daycare transportation options
Therapy Resources for Medically Complex Children in Pinellas County
We work closely with your child's entire care team. At Spark, we provide dedicated space for your child's existing therapists to conduct sessions at our center, creating a convenient one-stop location for care.
Local Pinellas County Therapy Resources
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital: A world-class hospital in St. Petersburg providing elite specialty and rehabilitative care.
Early Steps at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital: The local office providing vital early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays.
The Arc Tampa Bay: A crucial resource for support, advocacy, and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Therapy at Spark: Our Clearwater center welcomes your child's therapists and provides appropriate space and equipment for their sessions. This approach helps consolidate appointments and reduce transportation needs.
Effective feeding therapy techniques for children with complex needs
For more information about developmental support, visit the CDC's Developmental Monitoring resources.
Real Parent Experiences with PPEC in Pinellas County
"It has to be clear for me that I'm gonna put my baby somewhere that I like and that I feel safe... And when I went to Spark, I can say that the center staff were the ones that gave me confidence... They explained how it works and gave me a lot of information... Spark is the one that makes me feel better and comfortable."
— Mom of 1-year-old son
"I love [Spark]. I wish my boys could stay longer... They know how to crawl now! One of my babies, he's trying to walk and he knows how to stand up. There's a lot that they're teaching them at PPEC that they were never taught before."
— Mom to NICU twins
Read more parent success stories
Frequently Asked Questions About PPEC in Pinellas County
How much does PPEC cost in Pinellas County?
PPEC is 100% free for families on Medicaid. There are absolutely no hidden fees or co-pays. We help coordinate with Medicaid so you never see a bill.
How do I know my child will be safe at a PPEC?
Safety is our foundation. Our centers have secure-access doors, experienced pediatric nurses, and low staff-to-child ratios (typically 1:3) for constant supervision. We're equipped to handle medical situations with expertise that provides parents with true peace of mind.
My child is non-verbal and has a feeding tube. How will your staff care for them?
Our nurses are trained in caring for children with diverse needs, including G-tubes, non-verbal communication support, medication administration, and complex respiratory care. We learn your child's unique cues to provide compassionate, personalized care.
How will you communicate with me during the day?
We provide updates through your preferred method—calls, texts, or apps. We share pictures, progress on goals, and give you a full report each day. You can always call to check in anytime.
What's the difference between PPEC and home nursing?
While home nursing provides one-on-one medical care, a PPEC offers nursing oversight in an environment where your child can socialize, make friends, and access multiple therapies. It provides crucial developmental and social benefits that can't be replicated at home.
Next Steps: Schedule a Tour at Spark Pediatrics in Clearwater
Reading about a PPEC is one thing, but seeing it is another. We warmly invite you to visit our Clearwater center to see if Spark is the right fit for your family. Ask questions, meet our team, and see for yourself what makes our center a special place.
You've been carrying so much for so long. Let us share the load.
Learn about our comprehensive medical daycare services
Schedule your personalized tour today or call us at (813) 798-2809.
For families seeking additional support resources, Family Voices offers valuable information for parents of children with special healthcare needs.