Criteria for admission

Hospice Pediatric Care Program – Traditional Hospice Program

• Must meet criteria for hospice
• Birth to 21
• Certified by physician with a life expectancy of 6 months or less
• Referral may come from the family, doctor or others in the community
• Payor sources: self, commercial insurance, Medicaid, charity care.
• Children receiving Medicaid have the option of “concurrent care”; receiving curative as well as comfort care.

Partners in Care: Together for Kids – Florida State Palliative Care Program

• Must be a Children’s Medical Services Network (CMSN) enrollee
• Payor Sources: Medicaid primary, Title XXI
• Birth to 21
• Diagnosis of a potentially life-limiting condition such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, cancer, etc.
• Must reside in Martin or St. Lucie County
• Authorized for participation by a CMS Primary Care Physician

Who Are We?

• Our specialized program provides clinical and psychosocial support to the children and families in our service area. Our program is based on the philosophy of, “family centered care”, and has the expertise of professionals who have been specifically trained in pediatrics. Our program provides clinical education and nursing care while also addressing the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the child and family.
• We are knowledgeable about and partner with many community resources. This allows us to circle the family with support beyond our specific focus of care
• It is our desire to not only work with the family, but also the child’s primary physician. This best practice supports the preservation of those existing relationships between the child/teen and their existing medical team while promoting partnership and long term continuity of care

Our designated pediatric team

• Director of Counseling and Pediatric Services – Jacki Nardone, LCSW
• Pediatric Nurse - Diane Felter, RN-C, CPON
• Pediatric Social Worker - Amy Manko, LCSW, ACHP-SW
• Pediatric Music Therapist - Jessica Sturgeon, MT-BC
• Chaplains - Harry Butsko / James Barksdale
• Physicians- Dr. Robert Anderson, Hospice MD, Dr. Gerald Turgeon, Medical Director

How Do We Do Our Work?

• Our primary goal is to surround the family with support and provide care to include:
  • An interdisciplinary and holistic approach to child and family care
  • Medical management in hospice program
  • Nursing assessment and consultation in PIC program
  • Psychosocial and emotional support
  • Education and connection to additional community resources
  • We facilitate creative opportunities for making:
  • Memories
  • Legacy projects
  • Life review projects
  • Family bonding experiences
  • Opportunities for children to understand and be an active participant in their care.
  • Increased communication with family and friends
  • End of life planning

For more information regarding the Little Treasure Hospice or Partners in Care: Together for Kids programs, please contact 772-403-4530.