Paid Caregiver Support for a Child Under 5
What’s Possible Now (and What to Plan For Next)
Article Overview
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.
What GAPP Can Cover for Babies & Toddlers (Skilled Nursing)
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.
Other Ways to Get Help While Your Child Is Under 5
1) Medicaid Pathways
Traditional Medicaid (income-based), Katie Beckett/TEFRA (qualifies based on the child’s disability, not family income), and SSI-linked Medicaid are common routes.
Many families use Katie Beckett to gain Medicaid access, then apply to GAPP for nursing.
2) Early Intervention (Birth–3): Babies Can’t Wait
State early intervention offers PT/OT/SLP and developmental supports. It’s a powerful complement to skilled nursing and helps document need for home-based care.
3) Children’s Medical Services (CMS)
For eligible conditions, CMS can coordinate specialty care, equipment, and care plans that support your overall home-care picture.
4) Community Partners & Family Supports
Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) – Georgia-based disability support organization. Families may find resource navigation, benefits counseling, referral to respite, and caregiver supports.
Avita Community Partners – Regional provider network offering behavioral health, developmental disability services, and family supports (availability varies by county).
Parent to Parent of Georgia – Training, support groups, and 1:1 navigating for IEP/504 and disability services.
2-1-1 / United Way – Localized help with respite referrals, transportation, and community programs.
FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults & Children) – Durable medical equipment at low/no cost.
Availability and eligibility vary by county and program. We’ll help you connect with the right contacts in your area.
5) Agency Fee Support
For families who meet income criteria, agencies like Miralta may waive administrative fees or help identify financial assistance. Ask us about current options in your county.
Planning for Age 5+: The Parent-as-Caregiver Path
Once your child turns 4, Personal Support Services (PSS) may be considered. This is the route that can allow a parent or close relative to be paid as a caregiver when criteria are met.
How to prepare now:
Keep daily care logs (feeding, suction, positioning, seizures).
Save therapy notes and IEP/504 updates.
At each renewal, ensure the PPOT reflects task frequency and risks.
Ask your agency about training requirements and timelines so you’re ready on your child’s birthday.
Step-by-Step: What to Do This Month
Screen for Medicaid eligibility (traditional, Katie Beckett, or SSI).
Start a symptom/seizure log and request recent records via portals.
Email your pediatrician/neurologist to expedite the PPOT and notes.
Apply for skilled nursing through GAPP (we’ll prepare the packet).
Layer in community supports (BDI, Avita, Babies Can’t Wait, CMS, Parent to Parent, 2-1-1).
Ask Miralta about income-based fee waivers and caregiver training pathways for age 4+.
FAQs
Does Georgia pay parents to be caregivers for babies and toddlers?
Generally not through GAPP PSS. However, your agency may be able to provide subsidized care or payments from other sources, or the child may qualify for skilled nursing now.
What if my child “only” has autism?
Behavioral needs alone typically don’t qualify for nursing. Children with autism and medical tasks (e.g., seizures, G-tube) may qualify for GAPP nursing.
Is there any cost to apply?
There’s no cost to apply for Medicaid, Katie Beckett, or GAPP. Miralta provides free application support and may waive fees for income-eligible families.
How long does GAPP approval take?
Often 4–6 weeks after a complete submission. Backlogs happen. Submitting the right-the-first-time packet (logs, PPOT, notes, IEP/504) helps.
We’ll Help You Find Support Starting Today
Miralta Home Care helps Georgia families at no cost: we screen eligibility, assemble complete packets, coordinate with physicians and schools, and connect you to community partners like Bobby Dodd Institute and Avita Community Partners. If your child is under 5, we’ll pursue skilled nursing now and map the parent-as-caregiver path for age 4+.
Contact us today to see if your child may qualify for private funding sources.
