Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP)

GAPP stands for Georgia Pediatric Program. Administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health, it serves eligible, medically fragile children under 21 who need medically necessary skilled nursing and/or personal care support. Physician orders and prior authorization are required.

For families, the starting point is a conversation about the child’s care needs. Tell us what your child needs help with, what your medical team has recommended, and what questions you have about receiving care at home.

GAPP includes nursing and personal care support. Nursing addresses clinical care needs; personal care helps with daily living activities. The services provided depend on the child’s approved care plan.

The program is intended for medically fragile children under 21 with medically necessary nursing or personal care needs. Medicaid eligibility must be established, and requested services require approval; having Medicaid alone does not establish GAPP approval.

If you are unsure where to begin, contact AmeriCare with your child’s age, county, coverage information, and a brief description of the care needed. A care-options conversation helps identify the next step; it is not an eligibility decision.

Georgia Medicaid directs families to contact a participating GAPP provider agency. With AmeriCare, start by requesting a conversation about your child’s needs.

1. Tell us about your child. Share your county, the best way to reach you, and the type of help you are looking for.
2. Discuss the current care situation. Explain whether your child is already home, preparing for discharge, or receiving services from another agency.
3. Ask what documentation is needed. Our team can explain the information needed to move the inquiry forward.
4. Understand the review stage. A physician’s treatment plan and supporting records are part of the authorization process. Approval is determined through the applicable Medicaid review process.
5. Discuss scheduling. Ask about staffing, available shifts, and the steps needed before care can begin.

You do not need to know every program term before reaching out. Start with the questions you have today.

Check your child’s care options ↗

To make the first conversation useful, consider having:

• Your child’s age and the county where care is needed.
• Insurance or Medicaid coverage information.
• The name of the child’s pediatrician or treating specialist.
• A short description of daily medical and personal care needs.
• Information about a planned hospital discharge, if relevant.
• Your preferred schedule and current support arrangements.
• Questions about existing services or changing providers.

Ask the intake team how to send medical records securely. A first inquiry can begin with basic contact information and a general description of your needs.

GAPP is a Medicaid-funded program for eligible children with approved services. Before scheduling, ask our intake team to verify coverage for the requested care and explain whether any proposed service falls outside that coverage.

Families should be able to understand what is covered before making care decisions. Ask: “Is this service authorized for my child, and would our family owe anything for it?”

You can begin by learning about Georgia Medicaid eligibility and application options. Georgia Medicaid accepts applications through Georgia Gateway and local DFCS offices.

Some families may also want to explore TEFRA/Katie Beckett. This Medicaid eligibility pathway can disregard family income for certain children with disabilities who meet its requirements. It has its own review process and is distinct from requesting GAPP services.

AmeriCare can discuss home care questions while you explore coverage. Medicaid and GAPP approvals are separate steps, and neither should be assumed from an initial inquiry.

Preparing to bring a child home can involve medication instructions, equipment, appointments, and new daily routines. Start asking about home care while discharge planning is underway.

Useful questions for your hospital team and prospective home care provider include:

• What tasks will need to be performed at home?
• Which tasks require a nurse?
• What training do family caregivers need before discharge?
• Who will provide equipment and supplies?
• What needs to be completed before home care can start?
• Who should the family contact if the discharge date changes?

Tell AmeriCare about the expected discharge date and the support your medical team recommends. This gives the intake conversation a clear starting point.

A provider should help you understand both the care being discussed and the practical arrangements around it. When comparing agencies, ask:

• Can your team meet my child’s specific clinical needs?
• Is staffing available for the schedule we need?
• How are nurses or caregivers introduced to a new family?
• Who supervises care and answers clinical questions?
• How do you handle a missed shift or a schedule change?
• How will our family receive updates?
• How do you coordinate with the child’s medical team?
• What should we expect before the first visit?

Keep a written list of your priorities. The right conversation should address the child’s needs and the realities of your household.

AmeriCare provides pediatric nursing and personal care services and identifies itself as state-licensed and ACHC accredited. Our approach begins with understanding the family’s situation and discussing the next steps for care at home.

When you contact us, we want to understand your child’s needs, the support already in place, and the questions that matter most to you. Ask about care coordination, clinical oversight, and current staffing availability for your location.

Check your child’s care options ↗

AmeriCare’s website lists a Kennesaw office at 2950 Cherokee Street NW, Suite 626, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Contact us with your county and ZIP code to discuss current pediatric home care availability.

For families searching for GAPP providers in Georgia, confirming local coverage and staffing is an important early step. Availability can differ by location, schedule, and the level of care needed.