National Child Health Day: Team Select Understands That “Home Is Where Health Happens for Medically Complex Children”

Every first Monday in October, we celebrate National Child Health Day; a day dedicated to building healthier futures for children across the country. For many families, especially those raising children with medically complex needs, that future begins at home.

At Team Select Home Care, we believe that home is where health happens. It’s where prevention starts, healing takes root, and lifelong habits are built. And it’s where the right support, whether through Pediatric Private Duty Nursing or Family Caregiver Programs, can make all the difference.

In honor of National Child Health Day, we’re exploring how these two powerful care models work, when each might be the right fit, and how Team Select helps families create healthier, safer home environments for their children.

Why National Child Health Day Matters

Established to focus attention on the health and well-being of America’s children, National Child Health Day (October 6, 2025) is more than just a date on the calendar, it’s a reminder that every child deserves access to care that meets their unique needs.

For children with complex medical conditions, that care often extends beyond hospitals and clinics. A home-based approach can:

• Minimize exposure to infections and illnesses.
• Support adherence to medications, therapies, and daily routines.
• Reduce preventable hospital visits and emergency room trips.
• Strengthen family confidence in managing medical needs.

Home is where children thrive. And at Team Select, we’re committed to empowering families with the resources, training, and care pathways that make that possible.

Pediatric Private Duty Nursing (PDN): Skilled Care at Home

Pediatric Private Duty Nursing (PDN) provides one-on-one care from licensed nurses for children with complex or technology-dependent medical needs. These highly skilled professionals deliver care in the comfort and familiarity of a child’s home, often preventing hospital stays and helping children reach their fullest potential.

PDN care commonly includes:

• Medication administration and management
• Vital sign monitoring
• Tracheostomy and ventilator care
• Enteral (tube) feeding
• Seizure management and airway support
• Detailed documentation under physician orders

The goal of PDN is simple yet powerful: to improve safety, stability, and quality of life while keeping children where they belong, at home.

At Team Select, our pediatric nursing services include, but are not limited to:

• Seizure management and action planning
• Respite nursing care for family support
• High-tech preemie and pediatric care
• Tracheostomy and ventilation support
• Enteral tube feeding and therapy
• Developmental disability support

Learn more about our Pediatric Skilled Nursing services.

Family Caregiver Programs: Empowering Families to Provide Care

While PDN offers professional, clinical care, Family Caregiver Programs focus on empowering parents and legal guardians to take an active role in their child’s care, often with training, ongoing support, and even financial compensation in some states.

Through these programs, caregivers can become certified to provide care at home, gaining both confidence and skills. Support may include:

• Comprehensive training and supervised practice
• Assistance with care supplies and equipment coordination
• Oversight from Team Select’s family care experts
• Ongoing professional support and guidance

For many families, this model is life-changing, offering both financial assistance and a deeper connection to their child’s daily care journey.

Explore our Family Caregiver Programs

PDN vs. Family Caregiver Programs: Which One Fits Your Family?

Both PDN and Family Caregiver Programs offer unique advantages; and many families benefit from a combination of both.

Choose PDN if:

• Your child requires continuous skilled interventions
• There’s a need for frequent suctioning, ventilator/trach care, or complex medication management
• Your child needs close clinical monitoring by a licensed nurse

Choose Family Caregiver Programs if:

• You want to manage daily care tasks with training and oversight
• You’re seeking financial support for caregiving responsibilities
• You want to extend care coverage (e.g., PDN at night, family caregiver support during the day)

Our local Team Select clinical teams work closely with families to design the right plan of care based on medical complexity, family preferences, and available benefits.

Our Approach: Family-Centered Pediatric Home Care

At Team Select, we believe the best care happens when families are at the center. Our care model is designed to keep children safe at home while supporting their growth and development.

We coordinate with hospitals, specialists, school teams (IHP/IEP), DME vendors, and community resources, ensuring your child’s plan of care remains aligned across every setting.

State Spotlights: Family Caregiver Programs Across the U.S.

Family caregiver program names, requirements, and benefits vary from state to state. Here’s a look at how these programs support families across our service areas:

Arizona: Family Licensed Health Aide Program (LHA)

Arizona’s LHA pathway provides no-cost training and competency validation for eligible parents/guardians to deliver skilled tasks at home under nursing supervision—often paired with PDN for comprehensive coverage.

Check Eligibility here: Family LHA

Colorado: Family Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Select programs enable family members to become CNAs, integrating them into the care plan under RN oversight. This can complement PDN to support daily routines and reduce caregiver strain.

Check Eligibility here: Family CNA 

Florida: Family Caregiver Support (AMFC)

Where available, family caregiver programs provide training, coordination support, and resource navigation so families can confidently deliver daily care within an individualized plan.

Check Eligibility here: Family AMFC

Indiana: Friends & Family Caregiving (Personal/Attendant Care)

Personal/attendant care models may allow approved family participation for ADLs and routine supports, coordinated alongside nursing when clinically indicated.

Check Eligibility here: Friends and Family Caregiving Services

Massachusetts: Continuous Skilled Nursing (CSN) & Complex Care Assistant (CCA)

Massachusetts commonly uses CSN (functionally equivalent to PDN) for high-acuity needs, and CCA for non-nursing complex care assistance that stabilizes daily routines and reinforces care plans.

Check Eligibility here: Family CCA

New Hampshire: Family Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

Family LNA pathways (where available) provide structured education and competency checks for families to assist safely within a supervised plan of care.

Check Eligibility here: Family LNA 

Pennsylvania: Home Health Aide (HHA) Pathways

Select programs support family members becoming HHAs to assist with daily care tasks—often reducing hospital use when paired with clear escalation steps and nursing oversight.

Check Eligibility here: Family HHA

The Hospital-to-Home Roadmap: What Families Can Expect

Transitioning a medically complex child from hospital to home is a journey, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way:

1. Assessment & Plan of Care – Meet your local care team, discuss requirements, safety checks, and equipment needs.
2. Family Training – Gain hands-on skills, practice mock scenarios, and learn escalation steps.
3. Coverage & Scheduling – Review authorized PDN/CSN hours and explore family caregiver program options.
4. School Coordination – Align with IHP/IEP plans, transportation needs, and emergency protocols.
5. Ongoing Support – Benefit from RN oversight, 24/7 escalation pathways, and regular care re-evaluations.

When to Consider Pediatric Home Health Care

Home-based pediatric care could be right for your family if:

• Your child uses medical technology like a ventilator, tracheostomy, or feeding pump.
• Frequent ER visits or hospitalizations are part of your child’s care history.
• Complex medications or seizure action plans are needed.
• Caregiver fatigue is impacting safety and quality of care.

A Team Select clinician can help assess your child’s needs and guide you through your options.

Getting Started with Team Select

Starting pediatric home care is simpler than you might think:

1. Initial Consultation – Share your child’s medical history, current needs, and care goals.
2. Clinical Review – We coordinate with your providers and benefits team.
3. Onboarding & Training – Complete competencies, scheduling, and supply readiness.
4. First Shift & Follow-Up – Early check-ins ensure your care plan is working effectively.

Talk to a Pediatric Care Specialist.

A Healthier Tomorrow Begins at Home

On National Child Health Day, we’re reminded that every child deserves the chance to grow, heal, and thrive — and that often begins with the care they receive at home.

Whether through skilled nursing, family caregiver training, or a combination of both, Team Select is here to support your child’s health journey every step of the way.

Because when it comes to your child’s future, home isn’t just where the heart is — it’s where health happens.