For families
Can I be paid to care for my own child?
In some cases, yes. Georgia Medicaid allows parents and other legally responsible adults to be paid for personal care support hours under the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP). Here is what that means, plainly.
What the rule says
Georgia Medicaid allows parents and legal guardians to be paid for personal care services to children under 21 in GAPP. Personal care means help with daily living: bathing, feeding, dressing, positioning, toileting. It does not mean skilled nursing tasks. Skilled nursing still has to be done by an RN or LPN.
How it works with us
Approval
Your child is approved for personal care support hours by Georgia Medicaid.
Training
You complete the same training, background check and health screening we require of every aide, and we check your competency on your own child’s care.
We employ you
We employ you as a caregiver and schedule you for the approved hours.
You are paid
You chart the hours you work, and we pay you on our regular payroll. Your rate is set before you start.
It doesn’t mean
- Payment for skilled nursing hours. Those go to an RN or LPN.
- Payment for all the hours you already spend caring for your child. Only the hours Medicaid approves.
- A guaranteed number of hours. Medicaid decides.
It does mean
- Some of the care you already give can be paid.
- You can combine parent hours with nursing hours on the same case.
- You keep the right to change agencies.
Questions
Can a grandparent?
A legally responsible adult means a parent or legal guardian. Other relatives can sometimes be hired as aides through the normal route. Ask us.
Does this affect my child’s nursing hours?
Personal care support and skilled nursing are separate approvals. We’ll explain how they fit together on your child’s case.