Paid Caregiver Support for a Child Under 5

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• GAPP usually does not approve Personal Support Services (PSS) for children under age 5.
• Young children can still receive skilled nursing through GAPP when there’s a medical need.
• Parents can receive support and funding from other no-cost/low-cost sources (early intervention, Medicaid pathways, local nonprofits, community partners) — talk to your agency.
• After age 4 or 5, families may be eligible for the parent-as-caregiver option through PSS. Start preparing now.
  GAPP Personal Care (Parent Support) Isn’t Typical for Babies and Toddlers
  Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) provides in-home services for medically fragile children under 21. For infants and toddlers, GAPP approvals focus on skilled nursing (RN/LPN) for clearly documented medical tasks.
  Personal Support Services (the category that can pay a parent as a caregiver) are generally not approved for kids under 4, because reviewers expect hands-on support to be primarily medical at that age when needs are high.
  Bottom line: If your child is under 5, don’t wait. Apply for skilled nursing if clinical needs exist, and layer in community supports to help your family right now.

• If medically necessary, skilled nursing at home can include:
  
  • Seizure monitoring and rescue-medication protocols
  • G-/J-tube feeding, venting, medication administration
  • Tracheostomy/vent care, suctioning, oxygen/oximeter monitoring
  • Catheterization, wound care, airway clearance
  • Clinical assessment and escalation when status changes

Speed tip: Approval timelines are backed up statewide. The fastest decisions happen when a complete, specific packet is submitted on the first try. Miralta prepares your packet carefully and coordinates with your physician.

Gather now:

• Recent clinic notes, ED/hospital summaries, full med list
• Seizure or symptom logs (frequency, duration, interventions)
• Device orders (suction, pulse ox, feeding pump, oxygen)
• IEP/504 if school-aged, or therapy notes if under 3
• Signed Plan of Treatment (PPOT) with task frequency and risks without nursing

Parents can speed things up by requesting records themselves (patient portals), and emailing the pediatrician/neurologist to prioritize the PPOT and documentation.