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PA Launches Pediatric Complex Care Resource Centers Aimed at Empowering Families

Marissa LaWall

The Department of Human Services recently announced the opening of a number of Pediatric Complex Care Resource Centers (PCCRCs) aimed at supporting families of children with complex medical needs, specifically those who receive pediatric shift nursing or home health aide services. Pennsylvania began plans for these PCCRCs back in 2022 following the recommendations of the Pediatric Shift Care Initiative, a multi-year, cross-stakeholder effort to re-envision how pediatric home health care is delivered and enhance the pediatric shift nursing model in Pennsylvania. Since then, the Department has worked to bring their plans to life by conducting research, recruiting, training, and hiring staff, and engaging with families and stakeholders about needs, experiences, and goals to ensure the PCCRCs best serve those who will rely on them. 

The following four organizations will operate the PCCRCs throughout the Commonwealth: 

  • The Advocacy Alliance Pediatric Resource Centers
  • Milestone PCCRC Northwest
  • Geisinger Central PA Pediatric Resource Center
  • Milestone Pediatric Resource Center West
     

Through the centers, families can benefit from either in-person or remote support from Family Facilitators and Pediatric Coaches, two new roles aimed at ensuring that families can access training and education to support their children at home: 

  • Pediatric Coaches offer personalized support for caregiver teams, helping them collaborate on the child's needs through problem-solving conflict resolution and balancing familial, social, and medical goals. Coaches may also work with individual family members to empower advocacy and communication, provide targeted education and training, and facilitate regional family advisory groups for peer support and feedback on PCCRC resources.
     
  • Family Facilitators support children and adolescents with complex medical needs as they transition from facilities and hospitals to community settings. The Family Facilitator also supports the diversion of placements from community to congregate care settings
     

An online resource center will be offered through the PCCRC website, providing families with 24/7 access to resources, including an online training hub that offers self-paced learning courses on various home care-related topics like relationship building, supporting behavioral health needs, durable medical equipment, and life transitions. An interactive PCCRC Locator Tool will allow families to find and contact the PCCRC serving their county, identify targeted resources within their area, and track their child's care and developmental milestones. While the website is not yet fully operational, the PCCRC Locator Tool is active, and more resources and information are being added often. 

The PCCRCs are a collaborative effort between the Department and numerous entities that serve children with complex medical needs, including patient centered medical homes and pediatricians offices, home health agencies, the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP), the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). The initiative aims to foster better relationships and collaboration among all parties in order to improve the care of children with complex medical needs at home and in the community.

The Department will continue to engage with stakeholders and the MCO Enhanced Member Supports Units (formerly known as the Special Needs Units) within the MCOs as the PCCRCs are rolled out.  Join the Pediatric Shift Care Stakeholder E-mail List to receive ongoing PCCRC news and updates, and email ra-pwpedshiftcare@pa.gov with any questions.