pediatric care

About the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program

Caring for Medically Fragile Children in Orlando

The Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program is designed to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers by training and employing parents as caregivers. This initiative ensures that medically fragile children receive the skilled care they need while providing their parents with the opportunity to earn a competitive wage. Through comprehensive training and support, caregivers become qualified aides who can deliver high-quality care in the comfort of their own homes.

Program Benefits

Discover the numerous advantages of participating in the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program.

Atlantic Care Services - Savings

Financial Support

Earn a competitive wage for up to 40 hours per week while caring for your medically fragile child.

Atlantic Care Services - Tuition

Comprehensive Training

Receive thorough training from experienced RNs to ensure high-quality care.

Atlantic Care Services - Who We Help

Support Network

Gain access to a supportive team ready to assist with any challenges.

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Reduced Hospitalizations

Help decrease the frequency of hospital visits for your child with continuous home care.

Flexible Schedule

Enjoy a flexible schedule tailored to your needs, allowing you to focus solely on caregiving since you are getting paid to care for your own child.

Improved Quality of Life

Enhance the well-being of your family by keeping your child in a familiar environment.

Why Choose Us?

Your Trusted Partner in Care

Atlantic Care Services is committed to delivering exceptional care for medically fragile children and supporting their families through comprehensive training and unwavering support.

Our team of skilled RNs and caregivers bring years of experience in pediatric nursing and home healthcare.

We provide personalized training programs to ensure you are fully prepared to care for your child.

Our dedicated support network can assist you with any concerns or challenges.

Program Eligibility

How To Qualify For The Home Health Aides
For Medically Fragile Children Program

Find out if you meet the criteria to join the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program and start providing care for your child.

Age Requirement

You must be 18 to participate in the program.

Caregiver Role

You must be a family caregiver of a relative who is 21 years old or younger and eligible for Medicaid.

Training and Screening

Complete the required training and pass a Level 2 background screening.

Connect with us about the program today!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program.

Eligibility requires your child to receive skilled or respite care services under Medicaid.

At this time, we have started our families in the AMFC program. Eligible family members have completed their employment application process, their 40 hours of theoretical training, and are now completing their 30 hours of in person training with an RN. After this step they will complete a 16-hour skills competency and then be ready to start working their first shift.

Yes, any family member who meets the requirements to provide services can be employed by the home health agency to care for an eligible medically fragile child.

A related provider, legal guardian, or caretaker relative employed by a home health agency and who has completed the required training may deliver Family Home Health Aide services to an eligible Medicaid recipient.

A related provider includes individuals such as the recipient’s aunt, uncle, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, stepsister, cousin, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, husband, wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, great-grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, nephew, or niece.

A caretaker relative, as defined in 42 CFR 435.4, is “a relative of a dependent child by blood, adoption, or marriage with whom the child is living, who assumes primary responsibility for the child’s care (as may, but is not required to, be indicated by claiming the child as a tax dependent for Federal income tax purposes), and who is one of the following— (1) The child’s father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, or niece. (2) The spouse of such parent or relative, even after the marriage is terminated by death or divorce. (3) At State option, another relative of the child based on blood (including those of half-blood), adoption, or marriage; the domestic partner of the parent or other caretaker relative; or an adult with whom the child is living and who assumes primary responsibility for the dependent child’s care.”

We accept Cigna, Simply, Aetna, Humana, Sunshine Health, Sunshine CMS, and United Health. Please contact us for the most current list of accepted insurance providers.

Yes, the Agency for Healthcare Administration has confirmed that income earned from the program will count towards their reportable Medicaid income level.

At this time the Agency for Healthcare Administration has announced that Patients on the Florida Kid Care Medicaid program are not eligible, however we are monitoring this closely and will communicate any changes.

Funds are transferred from Medicaid or the Medicaid health plan to the home health agency. The parent or caregiver’s hourly payment is determined through private negotiations between the parent/caregiver and the home health agency.

A family Home Health Aide (HHA) can work up to 40 hours per week. Any additional hours that the patient is approved for can be covered by other nurses provided through our agency.

AHCA is required to strictly adhere to the language in HB 391. Since the bill did not instruct AHCA to create a specific waiver for this program, they are unable to do so. Any changes would need to come through the legislative process, meaning AHCA must develop and implement the program as outlined in the current bill.

To be eligible for the AMFC program, you must currently be receiving PDN services through an agency.

Agencies are not required to participate in this program. We have decided to participate in this program because of the great opportunity it provides our patients and their families.

The AMFC training program helps family members enhance their skills and knowledge in order to care for their medically fragile child or family member as an employee of Atlantic Care Services.

Section 400.4765, F.S. and Rule 59A-8.0099, F.A.C. provide the specific training program requirements.

No, the training is provided at no cost to families.

The training consists of 40 hours of theoretical instruction, 10 hours of medication management, and additional hands-on training and skills competency assessments that are currently being developed.

Interested and qualifying family members will receive an email with detailed instructions on accessing the training platform.

Yes, the training can be accessed on mobile devices by downloading the Trainual app, but using a computer or laptop is recommended for the best experience.

 

No, both services can be authorized but cannot be provided at the same time. Family Home Health Aide services are designed to complement, not duplicate, authorized PDN hours. Furthermore, according to statute, Family Home Health Aide services are intended to reduce the need for authorized PDN hours.

Section 400.4765, F.S., requires the training to be a standardized program that addresses the most common conditions and tasks associated with a medically fragile child.

 

A home health agency must decide whether to accept training documentation from another agency or require additional training and validation before employment.

What Our Clients Say

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