Everything Florida parents need to know about Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care centers: what they are, who qualifies, what services are provided, and how to enroll your child at no cost.
PPEC stands for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. A PPEC is a Florida-licensed medical daycare center that provides comprehensive healthcare services for children with complex medical needs. Unlike regular daycare, a PPEC is a healthcare facility staffed by registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and licensed therapists who specialize in caring for medically fragile children.
PPECs were created by the state of Florida to provide a safe, structured alternative to home-based care for children who require ongoing medical attention. When a physician determines that a child needs skilled nursing care, therapeutic services, and medical monitoring during the day, they can prescribe PPEC services. This prescription allows the child to attend a licensed PPEC facility where all care is provided by trained medical professionals.
The PPEC model benefits everyone involved. Children receive expert medical care in a social, stimulating environment that promotes development. Families gain essential respite and peace of mind. And the healthcare system benefits because PPEC is a cost-effective alternative to private duty nursing and repeated hospitalizations. All PPEC services are 100% covered by Florida Medicaid, so there is no cost to qualifying families.
PPEC centers provide a comprehensive suite of medical, therapeutic, and developmental services designed to address every aspect of a medically complex child's care. At Elite PPEC, our services include:
All of these services are coordinated by an interdisciplinary team that communicates daily about each child's progress, needs, and care plan. This collaborative approach ensures that therapy goals are reinforced throughout the day, not just during isolated therapy sessions.
PPEC services are available to children from birth through age 20 who have medically complex conditions that require skilled nursing care, therapeutic intervention, or ongoing medical monitoring. To qualify, a child must have an active Florida Medicaid plan and a physician's prescription authorizing PPEC services.
Common qualifying conditions include cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, tracheostomy or ventilator dependence, feeding tube dependence, chronic respiratory conditions, congenital heart defects, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, developmental delays, genetic and chromosomal abnormalities, brain injuries, and complications from premature birth. However, any child with a medically complex condition may be eligible. If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, contact Elite PPEC for a free consultation.
Home health nursing provides one-on-one medical care in the child's home. While this model has benefits, particularly for children who are too medically fragile to leave home, it also has significant limitations. A child receiving only home health care may spend most of their day in isolation, with limited opportunities for socialization, peer interaction, or exposure to structured developmental activities.
A PPEC provides a team-based approach in a social, structured environment. Instead of relying on a single nurse, your child benefits from a full team of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, EMTs, and multiple therapists who collaborate on their care plan. Children interact with peers, participate in group activities, and receive multiple therapies throughout the day. Parents also receive valuable respite, allowing them to work, manage household responsibilities, or attend to their own health and well-being.
Regular daycare centers are designed for typically developing children and are staffed by childcare workers and early education teachers. They are not equipped to handle complex medical needs such as tracheostomy care, ventilator management, feeding tube administration, seizure management, or continuous oxygen monitoring.
A PPEC is a licensed healthcare facility. It is staffed by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, and licensed therapists. PPECs maintain specialized medical equipment on-site, including suction machines, pulse oximeters, nebulizers, oxygen delivery systems, and emergency response equipment. All staff are trained in pediatric emergency response and are prepared to manage medical crises. Regular daycares simply cannot provide this level of medical care, making PPEC the only safe option for children with complex medical conditions who need supervised care outside the home.
The benefits of PPEC for children extend far beyond medical care. While skilled nursing and therapy services are the foundation of what a PPEC provides, the social, developmental, and emotional benefits are equally transformative.
Children form friendships, develop social skills, and experience the joy of being part of a group. For many medically complex children, a PPEC is their primary opportunity for peer interaction.
With multiple therapies integrated into the daily routine, children make faster progress on motor skills, communication, cognitive development, and adaptive behavior compared to isolated outpatient therapy.
An interdisciplinary team ensures that all aspects of the child's health and development are addressed in a unified, coordinated manner.
Predictable schedules help children feel secure, support emotional regulation, and create an optimal environment for learning and growth.
Age-appropriate activities stimulate cognitive development, creativity, self-expression, and a love of learning.
Caring for a medically complex child is a labor of love, but it can also be exhausting, isolating, and financially stressful. PPEC addresses all of these challenges.
Parent Respite: With your child receiving expert care at the PPEC during the day, you gain time to work, manage your household, attend your own medical appointments, care for other family members, or simply rest and recharge. This respite is essential for sustaining the energy and emotional resilience needed for long-term caregiving.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that your child is in the hands of registered nurses, licensed therapists, and trained medical professionals provides a level of confidence that no other childcare option can match.
No Cost to Families: Because all PPEC services are covered by Florida Medicaid, families face no financial burden. There are no copays, no deductibles, and no hidden fees. Transportation and meals are included at no cost.
Simplified Care Coordination: Instead of driving your child to separate appointments for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other services, everything happens under one roof at the PPEC. This eliminates scheduling headaches and reduces the stress of managing multiple providers.
Community and Support: Many families find a supportive community at their PPEC, connecting with other parents who understand the unique joys and challenges of raising a medically complex child.
PPEC services are 100% covered by Florida Medicaid. There are no copays, deductibles, coinsurance, or out-of-pocket costs for qualifying families. This means that all of the following services are completely free:
Florida Medicaid covers PPEC because it is recognized as a cost-effective model of care. Providing comprehensive daytime medical services in a PPEC setting reduces the need for expensive private duty nursing, emergency room visits, and hospital readmissions. For families, this means access to world-class pediatric care at absolutely no cost.
Elite PPEC is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. These extended hours are designed to accommodate working parents while providing children with ample time for therapy sessions, developmental activities, meals, rest, and socialization.
Families enjoy flexible scheduling within these hours. Some children attend for the full day, while others may come for a portion of the day based on their medical needs and family schedule. Our team works with each family to create an attendance plan that serves the child's best interests.
PPECs in Florida are regulated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). AHCA establishes comprehensive standards that every PPEC must meet and maintain, covering staffing levels and qualifications, facility safety and sanitation, medical equipment requirements, emergency preparedness, infection control, and quality assurance.
Every PPEC must hold an active AHCA license and undergo regular state inspections. All staff members must pass Level 2 background screening, maintain current professional licenses and certifications, and be trained in pediatric emergency response. AHCA mandates specific nurse-to-child ratios to ensure adequate supervision and care at all times.
Elite PPEC proudly meets and exceeds all AHCA standards. We view state inspections as opportunities to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the safety, health, and well-being of every child in our care.
Enrolling your child at Elite PPEC is a straightforward process that our team will guide you through from start to finish:
If your child does not yet have Florida Medicaid, do not worry. Our enrollment team can help guide you through the Medicaid application process. Many children with complex medical needs qualify regardless of family income.
Elite PPEC has served over 200 families in Hollywood and Broward County for more than 10 years. Contact us today for a free consultation and tour of our facility. All services are 100% covered by Florida Medicaid.
Call us at (754) 263-2925
