Because of a recent grant, UF can now offer care to families of children with disabilities in twice as many Florida counties.
UF’s Pediatric Integrated Care System, or Ped-I-Care, has received a three-year, $18 million grant from the Florida Department of Health.
Nancy Giunta, executive director of Ped-I-Care, said the grant money would go toward paying for medical services, dental health services and transportation.
Money would also be used to give every child his or her own nurse care coordinator through Children’s Medical Services.
A nurse care coordinator ensures families are able to make appointments, get checkups and immunizations.
“This is a huge factor in the success of our program,” said Giunta. “We truly believe in the organization of patient-centered care and care coordination for the children.”
This grant will provide health insurance to children with critical health care needs in 51 of Florida’s 67 counties.
Jes Baldeweg-Rav, a 19-year-old UF history sophomore, said he understands the hardships of financial struggles.
“Not coming from a high-income household and my three other siblings also in college, hearing as much money is given to provide health services for low-income households is refreshing,” said Baldeweg-Rav.
Coverage for the additional counties will be fully implemented by Nov. 1, Giunta said.
There are currently 4,500 patients in the program. Once Ped-I-Care expands into the additional 28 counties, the program estimates that 15,000 children will receive care.
Long-term goals are to provide the highest quality of care for these complex children in a coordinated and cost-effective fashion, she said.
“I think this plan is wonderful, as it is taking a step to reach out to many kids in the different counties with the facilities and state-of-the-art technology that is available,” said Jessica Forbes, a 19-year-old UF pre-nursing sophomore. “If this plan was not available, the kids would not have an opportunity to be healed.”
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 9/5/2013 under the headline "Grant to help families of disabled"
