Building Our Village: Family Network on Disabilities

Providing a Helping Hand for Special Needs Children and Families.

Building Our Village with Tender Care PPEC and Family Network on Disabilities

 

The Tender Care PPEC podcast, titled “Building Our Village,” is a compelling new series designed to support families of special needs care. This innovative podcast aims to create a supportive community by bringing together key resources and individuals dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families. In this episode, Glenesha from Family Network on Disabilities, shares her story, explains her role, and discusses how FND helps those with disabilities. 

 

Through engaging discussions and expert insights, “Building Our Village” endeavors to dispel isolation, provide valuable information, and build a strong, supportive network for parents navigating the challenges and joys of raising a child with special needs. This initiative underscores the adage that it indeed takes a village to raise a child, especially so for children requiring specialized care, and Tender Care PPEC is committed to being an integral part of that village.

Family Network on Disabilities

Tender Care PPEC provides care for medically complex and fragile children from birth to 21 years of age in a daycare-like environment staffed with nurses, CNAs, and therapists. We are the first independently owned PPEC in the State of Florida with our initial center opening in 1988. This means we have an abundance of experience and knowledge in providing loving care to this special pediatric population. We have 6 Tender Care PPEC centers throughout Florida, with our newest facility located in Lake Park.

Lake Park Location

Our goal is to enhance the development of each child through collaborative relationships between families, physicians, nurses, and therapists. This holistic approach to care is carried out in an environment that allows the child to engage in social interactions with their peers. This results in thriving children, well-positioned to achieve their greatest potential. We also offer transportation at no cost and provide nutritious meals throughout the day. 

What sets us apart is that we care for and treat every child like family. We have passion in our hearts for our children and a desire to see them succeed.

You can follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

PPEC Offers Many Advantages…

To the child/family:

  • Centrally located nursing and therapy decreases intrusions into family dynamics at home
  • Increased socialization with other children
  • Decreased hospitalization
  • Personalized case management ensuring the best care for your child
  • Offers caregivers increased potential to return to work or school
  • Early detection of potential health problems by licensed professionals

To the payer:

  • Decreased hospitalizations through early detection and case management
  • Increased compliance with plan of care resulting in less utilization of health care benefits
  • An average savings of 40% to 50% compared to Home Health services

 

Common pediatric diagnoses that indicate a potential need for daily skilled nursing services:

  • Premature infants diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, apnea of prematurity, oxygen and pulse oximetry dependence
  • Cerebral palsy with gastrostomy or jejunostomy dependence and/or seizures
  • Spina bifida with or without an Arnold Chiari malformation and shunt monitoring, and urinary catheterization dependence
  • Certain cardiac anomalies
  • Post-transplant status
  • Immunosuppressed status
  • Tracheostomy status (with or without ventilator dependence)
  • Failure to thrive
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • History of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
  • Adrenal Insufficiency
  • Presence of a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, or vesicostomy

*This is not medical advice, always consult with your child’s doctor before making any changes to their lifestyle. 

Related:

Tender Care PPEC Honored with Multiple Wins in 2025 Best of Florida Awards

Tender Care PPEC is proud to announce its recognition as a top healthcare provider in the 2025 Best of Florida Awards.

Curly Sue Visited Tender Care! [2023]

Curly Sue visited our Ft. Lauderdale Tender Care center! She entertained the kids with a magic show and did face painting! The kids had a magical time filled with laughs and excitement.

Our First PPEC Webinar was a Success!

Our First PPEC Webinar was a Success! We’re excited to share that our very first webinar focused on Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) centers was a great success! Bringing together healthcare professionals, caregivers, and community members, this event provided an insightful overview of the critical role PPEC centers play in supporting children with complex medical needs.

Tender Care PPEC has a New Homepage! (2025)

We’re excited to announce our new homepage of 2025!

Tender Care Attended First Coast Technical College’s Career Fair! [2024]

We had so much fun attending First Coast Technical College’s Career Fair on April 2nd! This event was at First Coast Technical College in St. Augustine, Florida. We had a lot of students stop by our table to learn about Tender Care PPEC and how we are a great place to work!

Tender Care Attended Turn on the Lights Expo! [2024]

We had so much fun attending The Children’s Healing Institute’s Turn on the Lights Expo on April 4th! This event was at Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. We had a lot of people stop by our table to learn about Tender Care PPEC and how we are involved in the community. 

Critters on Call brought their adorable bunnies to visit Our St. Augustine and Palatka Centers, and it was a hopping good time! [2025]

Critters on Call brought their adorable bunnies to visit us today, and it was a hopping good time! The energy was high, the cuddles were plenty, and the smiles were contagious.

Tender Care Attended UF Health’s Spring Fling (2024)!

We had so much fun attending Spring Fling on March 21st! This event was hosted by UF Health Neurodevelopmental Pediatric Center at their location in Jacksonville, FL. We had a lot of families stop by our table to learn about Tender Care PPEC and what we do in the community!

3 Benefits of Oral Function Therapy

Curious about oral function therapy? We explain three benefits this therapy has for your child with special needs.

Ep. 3 – Coping with Creations on Building Our Village [2024]

The Tender Care PPEC podcast, titled “Building Our Village,” is a compelling new series designed to support families of special needs care. This innovative podcast aims to create a supportive community by bringing together key resources and individuals dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families. In this episode, Brianne, the Founder of Coping with Creations, explains her love for Tender Care and cup making.