Are you looking for a place to care for your child with Special Medical Needs?

Tender Care PPEC in St Augustine is the ideal place for your medically complex and fragile child to receive the specialized care they need in a warm, welcoming environment. Our facility is dedicated to providing expert care for children with unique medical needs, and our highly trained team of nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and therapists are here to support your child’s health, comfort, and growth every step of the way. Whether your child requires ongoing medical attention or therapy, we are equipped to meet their needs with personalized care plans tailored to each individual.

We understand how important it is for your child to feel safe and at ease, which is why we’ve created a daycare-like atmosphere that encourages comfort, socialization, and a sense of normalcy. At Tender Care, your child will receive not only the medical attention they need but also the emotional support they deserve. Our goal is to create a space where your child can feel like just a kid—having fun, exploring, and developing alongside peers in a nurturing environment.

At Tender Care, we’re not just focused on health care—we’re passionate about fostering the growth and development of every child in all areas of life. From physical and occupational therapy to emotional and social development, we work hard to support your child’s well-being on every level. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely with families, physicians, nurses, and therapists to create a care plan that’s as unique as your child. By working together, we make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children we serve and help them reach their full potential.

We invite you to schedule a tour of our facility today! We would love to meet you and your family, show you around, and answer any questions you may have about how we can support your child’s care journey. Your child’s well-being is our top priority, and we look forward to being part of their growth and development every step of the way!

What is PPEC?

PPEC stands for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. A PPEC center is a licensed, non-residential, day treatment program prescribed by a physician for medically complex and technologically dependent children. Care is provided by a team of skilled pediatric professionals.

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