Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are the parents? Do the patients ever go home?
A: While some of our residents are placed by DCS (Department of Child Safety) or tribal CPS (Child Protective Services), most of them have involved parents who are unable to care for them at home for a variety of reasons. Parents who live in very rural areas or on reservations often have no access to the complex services their child needs. Some of the residents’ medical needs are so great that the parents are unable to care for them twenty-four/seven. When a resident becomes more stable many parents choose to train to care for them at home.
Q: What does “medically fragile” mean?
A: Medically fragile describes a child who has multiple, complex medical conditions that often include birth defects, prematurity, the need for an organ transplant, ventilator dependence, head injuries, cerebral palsy and/or are unable to eat by mouth. Most are completely dependent on caregivers for all of their daily and medical needs.
Q: Does someone live in the house with the children?
A: Only the residents live in the house. They are provided care by a very consistent staff of nurses and nursing assistants, around the clock.
Q: Isn't that a difficult job?
A: Caring for medically fragile children is actually extremely rewarding. Most of the kids wake up each day with a smile, ready to enjoy another day full of activities.
Q: Where do the kids come from?
A: The vast majority of our residents come to us directly from the hospital, often from the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) or PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). Some are placed by their family when they can no longer care for them at home.
Q: Who pays for their care?
A: Nearly all of our residents qualify for Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS) as well as Arizona’s Medicaid program (AHCCCS). Most also qualify for services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Some have private health insurance. Please contact us if you have questions regarding your insurance.
Q: Are the group homes actual houses?
A: Yes, each home is located in a residential area and do not appear any different than the neighboring homes other than having a wheelchair ramp. The residents’ rooms are decorated appropriately for age, gender, and interests, and there are common gathering areas in the living room and family room that also serve as the nurses’ station. Often, the bathrooms are modified to provide wheelchair and bath chair access.
Q: Do the children go to school?
A: Yes, our school-aged children attend school or pre-school, health permitting. Our homes are located the Mesa Unified School District, which provides excellent accommodations for our residents. If a child's condition does not allow for them to attend school, they are home-schooled by a Mesa Public Schools teacher.
Were we not able to answer your question? If so, please contact us for more information.
A: While some of our residents are placed by DCS (Department of Child Safety) or tribal CPS (Child Protective Services), most of them have involved parents who are unable to care for them at home for a variety of reasons. Parents who live in very rural areas or on reservations often have no access to the complex services their child needs. Some of the residents’ medical needs are so great that the parents are unable to care for them twenty-four/seven. When a resident becomes more stable many parents choose to train to care for them at home.
Q: What does “medically fragile” mean?
A: Medically fragile describes a child who has multiple, complex medical conditions that often include birth defects, prematurity, the need for an organ transplant, ventilator dependence, head injuries, cerebral palsy and/or are unable to eat by mouth. Most are completely dependent on caregivers for all of their daily and medical needs.
Q: Does someone live in the house with the children?
A: Only the residents live in the house. They are provided care by a very consistent staff of nurses and nursing assistants, around the clock.
Q: Isn't that a difficult job?
A: Caring for medically fragile children is actually extremely rewarding. Most of the kids wake up each day with a smile, ready to enjoy another day full of activities.
Q: Where do the kids come from?
A: The vast majority of our residents come to us directly from the hospital, often from the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) or PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). Some are placed by their family when they can no longer care for them at home.
Q: Who pays for their care?
A: Nearly all of our residents qualify for Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS) as well as Arizona’s Medicaid program (AHCCCS). Most also qualify for services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Some have private health insurance. Please contact us if you have questions regarding your insurance.
Q: Are the group homes actual houses?
A: Yes, each home is located in a residential area and do not appear any different than the neighboring homes other than having a wheelchair ramp. The residents’ rooms are decorated appropriately for age, gender, and interests, and there are common gathering areas in the living room and family room that also serve as the nurses’ station. Often, the bathrooms are modified to provide wheelchair and bath chair access.
Q: Do the children go to school?
A: Yes, our school-aged children attend school or pre-school, health permitting. Our homes are located the Mesa Unified School District, which provides excellent accommodations for our residents. If a child's condition does not allow for them to attend school, they are home-schooled by a Mesa Public Schools teacher.
Were we not able to answer your question? If so, please contact us for more information.