Overview
Welcome to Spark Pediatrics' Houston location! As the newest member of Florida's largest PPEC network, our Houston center (formerly Joycare) continues to serve medically fragile children from 6 weeks to 20 years old. We're passionate about providing exceptional care that goes beyond traditional home health services.
At Spark Pediatrics, we believe your child deserves both expert medical care and the joy of childhood. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals creates personalized care plans that exceed industry standards, combining established treatments with innovative approaches to meet each child's unique needs.
Your child will thrive in our interactive environment where medical care meets developmental enrichment. Our nurses, therapists, and educators work together to create a place where kids can be kids while receiving the specialized care they need. Parents tell us they see remarkable improvements in their children's quality of life – a win for everyone involved.
How is Spark Pediatrics different from home health services?
Unlike home health where medical care happens in isolation, at Spark your child gets both expert care and the chance to play, learn, and make friends.
We provide comprehensive therapeutic and educational programming including reading time, music, art, pet therapy, sensory activities, and our special Summer Program. Your child also gets to socialize with other kids who understand their journey – something that's simply not possible with home care alone.
Research shows children in PPEC programs like ours experience significant improvements in both physical and psychological well-being compared to home health settings. Many parents choose to combine our services with home health depending on their child's specific needs.
Who is caring for my child each day?
Your child will be assigned their own nurse who truly gets to know them. Our Houston center is led by a Board-Certified Pediatrician (Medical Director) who is available for emergencies, and our Nursing Director brings over 14 years of pediatric intensive care experience.
Our comprehensive care team includes:
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
- Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs)
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists
- Activity and music coordinators
- A Certified Special Education Teacher
- Additional medically trained direct care staff
Once enrolled, our Nursing Director will work closely with you, your child's physicians, and therapists to create a personalized care plan tailored specifically to your child's needs.
What will my child do at the center?
Your child will enjoy age-appropriate activities designed to build skills while having fun with friends. We create daily schedules that support educational, behavioral, and communication development in a medically safe environment.
Here's a sample preschool day at our Houston center:
7:30-8:00 am: Arrival time
8:30-9:00 am: Morning Snack
9:00-9:30 am: Circle Time (numbers, reading skills with Special Ed Teacher)
9:30-10:00 am: Activity (sensory games with Special Ed Teacher)
10:00-10:30 am: Music & Movement
10:30-11:00 am: Outside Play
11:00-11:30 am: Free Play (inside)
12:00-12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30-2:30 pm: Naptime
3:00-3:30 pm: Snack
3:30-4:00 pm: Art Time (painting, crafts with Special Ed Teacher)
4:00-5:00 pm: Free Play and Parent pick up
Can I tour the facility?
Absolutely! We'd love to show you around. We currently offer Live Virtual Tours for prospective parents, referrers, and payors. In-person tours are available after hours and on weekends.
Our state-of-the-art Houston facility includes specialized features like an isolation room with its own bathroom for children feeling under the weather. This room has a special ventilation system that prevents air from circulating into the main facility areas.
When you schedule your tour, our team will show you our center and answer all your questions about how we can support your child and family. Parents tell us seeing our center in person helps them feel confident about entrusting their child's care to us.
How is Spark Pediatrics covered under insurance?
Good news – our services are 100% covered by Medicaid with zero out-of-pocket costs. We also work with many commercial insurance plans, both in and out-of-network depending on your specific plan.
Our services are covered under Medicaid and many managed Medicaid plans (MCOs) per the requirements by the State of Texas' Health and Human Services Commission. Our dedicated team handles all the paperwork, authorization renewals, and insurance coordination so you can focus on your child.
How do I enroll my child at Spark Pediatrics?
We've made enrollment as simple as possible:
1. Connect
Submit your information or call us at 713-929-2273 (CARE). Our team will explain our services and walk you through the entire process.
2. Assess
Let's get to know each other! Schedule a Live Virtual Tour, receive an initial Nursing Review, and meet our team. We want to show you why Spark Pediatrics is the best option for your child.
3. Register
Ready to join the Spark family? Complete the intake paperwork and we'll handle the rest – working with your child's prescribing physician, social worker or case manager, and insurance company to get everything set up.
4. Enjoy
Welcome! Your child will enjoy a stimulating experience that combines expert medical care with developmental activities and friendship. Parents tell us the peace of mind they gain is life-changing.
Can I share services with home health?
Absolutely! Many families choose to combine our services with home health care based on their child's specific needs. We've seen children make tremendous progress in as little as three months when attending Spark Pediatrics part-time alongside home health services.
We'll work with you to create the right balance and coordinate with your home health providers to ensure consistent care.
How long does the admissions process take?
The admission process typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on how quickly we receive your child's medical records from their pediatrician and the processing time with your insurance provider.
Our enrollment specialists handle all the paperwork and coordination to make the process as smooth as possible for your family.
What are your hours of operation?
Our Houston center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. We provide consistent, reliable nursing care during these hours. As a dedicated Pediatric Center, our service hours are guaranteed – something many parents tell us provides much-needed stability in their schedules.
Is there a waiting list?
We don't currently have a waiting list, but we do have limited enrollment spaces. As the premier PPECC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center) for medically fragile children in the Houston area, we encourage interested families to contact us as soon as possible to secure enrollment.
Will my child receive enough attention at Spark Pediatrics compared to Private Duty Nursing or home health services?
Your child will receive exceptional attention at Spark Pediatrics. Each child is assigned both a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Vocational Nurse who truly get to know them and their unique needs.
Our Board-Certified Pediatric Medical Director is on call daily for emergencies, and our experienced Nursing Director supervises our clinical staff throughout each day. Our center's structure allows for comprehensive supervision and personalized care.
Parents often tell us their children receive more consistent, high-quality attention at Spark than with home health alternatives. Rest assured, your child is in caring, capable hands with us.
How does Spark Pediatrics handle emergencies?
Your child's safety is our top priority. Our Board-Certified Pediatric Medical Director is on call daily for emergencies, and our staff are trained in responding to the specific medical needs of each child in our care.
Our emergency protocol includes immediate response from our medical team, calling 911 when necessary, and promptly informing your child's pediatrician. We conduct regular emergency drills to ensure our team is always prepared.
Does Spark Pediatrics provide transportation services?
Yes! We currently operate 2 buses serving the Houston metropolitan area. Each bus is staffed with both a nurse and a driver to ensure your child's safety during transport.
We can also arrange to meet parents outside our usual service radius if necessary. The best part? There's no additional cost for this service – it's completely covered for families.
What if a child becomes sick? Will he/she be isolated from others at the center?
Our Houston facility features a specially designed isolation room with its own bathroom for children who may be feeling under the weather. If your child isn't feeling well, they'll be cared for in this room with a dedicated nurse.
The room uses a specialized ventilation system that pulls air out of the facility rather than allowing it to circulate within the building. This helps protect all children in our care while ensuring your child still receives attentive nursing support when they're not feeling their best.
Advanced Care for Medically Fragile Kids
Location
6440 Sands Point Dr
Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-929-2273 (CARE)
Fax: 832-240-3387
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Ready to learn more about how Spark Pediatrics can support your child and family? Contact us today at 713-929-CARE (2273) to schedule your tour or ask any questions.