Condition · Cerebral palsy
Home care for children with cerebral palsy in Atlanta, from daily hands-on help to skilled nursing.
Children with cerebral palsy who need daily medical care or hands-on help, are under 21 and have Georgia Medicaid can get care at home through GAPP. Depending on your child, that can be skilled nursing, personal care, or both.
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Toll free (877) 891-5222
What cerebral palsy is, in plain words
Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect movement, muscle tone and posture. It comes from differences in how the brain developed or was injured, usually before, during or soon after birth.
It looks very different from child to child. Some children walk with little help. Others need full support to move, eat and communicate, and some also have seizures or breathing needs.
What care at home often involves
- Help with bathing, dressing, toileting and mealtimes
- Positioning, stretching routines and careful transfers, as ordered
- Tube feeding for children who can’t eat safely by mouth
- Seizure watching and following the seizure plan, when a child has seizures
- Managing equipment such as wheelchairs, standers and braces during the day
Every child is different. Your child's doctor writes the orders, and the care plan follows them.
How care needs change as your child grows
Cerebral palsy itself doesn’t get worse, but a child’s care changes as they grow. Bigger bodies make lifting and transfers harder, and teens often need more help with personal care and privacy. Tell us when things change so your child’s documentation and hours can be reviewed.
Many teens with cerebral palsy move to adult programs at 21. GAPP ends at 21, and adult programs have their own rules and waits. The 21 Clock lays out what to do from 16 to 21.
Which Ava services usually fit
For many children with cerebral palsy, daily hands-on help is the biggest need. Some also need skilled nursing.
- Pediatric personal care
Bathing, dressing, feeding, moving and transfers.
- Family Caregiver
Get paid as a W-2 employee of Ava for the personal care you give.
- Pediatric home nursing (RN and LPN)
For children with seizures, tube feeding or breathing needs.
- GAPP application help
We prepare and submit the application with you.
Cerebral palsy: questions parents ask
Does GAPP cover home care for a child with cerebral palsy?
It can, when your child is under 21, has Georgia Medicaid and a doctor orders nursing or personal care because of a medical need. GAPP decides the hours.
Can I get paid to take care of my child with cerebral palsy in Georgia?
Through Ava’s Family Caregiver option, a parent can be hired as a W-2 employee and paid for approved personal care hours. See the Family Caregiver program for who qualifies.
My child with cerebral palsy only needs help with daily tasks. Is that enough?
Personal care under GAPP is for daily-living help tied to a medical need. Call us and we will talk through your child’s day and what the doctor would need to document.
When should we start planning for age 21?
Around 16. Adult programs have separate rules and some have long waits. The 21 Clock tool gives you a timeline.
Related care
- GAPP application help
We prepare the GAPP paperwork with you and submit it.
- Pediatric home nursing (RN and LPN)
Skilled nursing shifts in your home.
- Pediatric personal care
Hands-on help with bathing, dressing, eating and moving.
- Family Caregiver
Get paid as a W-2 employee of Ava for personal care hours.
Calling is the fastest way to start.
(404) 905-7699 Call (404) 905-7699- Hours
- Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Closed Sat–Sun.
- Toll free
- (877) 891-5222
- Fax
- (404) 891-6466
- Office
- Ava Family Services, LLC
275 Interstate North Cir SE, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30339