Brighter Days Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Opens in Palm Bay, Provides Specialized Care for Medically Fragile Children

Brighter Days Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care program features specialized nursing care for children from birth to age 21

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – A new center dedicated to supporting medically complex children and their families is expanding services in Palm Bay and Melbourne through Brighter Days Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care program, offering specialized nursing care for children from birth to age 21.

The founders of Brighter Days PPEC, Luis Arango, Jessica Medina, and Michael Medina, feature a new center dedicated to supporting medically complex children and their families, which is expanding services in Palm Bay and Melbourne through Brighter Days PPEC, a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care program that offers specialized nursing care for children from birth to age 21.

The center was created with a deeply personal mission. The founders were inspired by their own family member, Alexander, whose medical needs led them to experience firsthand the benefits of a PPEC environment.

Brighter Days PPEC is building a team-based approach focused on helping medically fragile children reach their fullest potential. In December 2024, Brighter Days PPEC of Palm Bay officially opened, expanding access to specialized services for local families.

Jessica Medina said the mission behind the organization remains deeply rooted in personal experience.

“We are extremely proud to continue to serve our community. We understand firsthand the importance and need for our children to have the best quality care in a loving environment,” Medina said.

PPEC programs provide full-day medical and developmental care for children who require ongoing medical attention and may struggle to thrive in traditional school or daycare settings.

These services offer a less restrictive and often more cost-effective alternative to home health care or hospitalization while also helping reduce the isolation that families of medically fragile children sometimes experience.

Children who qualify for PPEC services often have conditions requiring continuous monitoring or nursing support, including asthma, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, feeding tube dependence, muscular dystrophy, prematurity, tracheostomy care, and other rare or complex medical conditions. Enrollment is typically covered by Medicaid once a child receives a recommendation and prescription from their pediatrician.

Brighter Days PPEC focuses on a collaborative care model where skilled nursing staff work alongside therapists and educational professionals to create individualized care plans. The facility also provides educational programming in language arts, math, science, and social studies while coordinating with physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapists.

The program partners with therapy providers, including Hetherington Therapy for physical, occupational, and speech or feeding therapy, A1A Behavioral Health for Applied Behavior Analysis services, and Florida Music Therapy to incorporate music-based therapeutic support.

One feature that sets the center apart is its outdoor environment. The facility includes a large fenced ADA-compliant outdoor space where children are taken outside daily for fresh air, structured activities, and free play. A screened pavilion allows children to relax while listening to wind chimes and a fountain in a calm and stimulating setting.

Transportation services are also available, including morning pickup, afternoon drop-off, and midday school transportation for enrolled children.

Brighter Days PPEC operates two locations at 4241 U.S. Highway 1 in Melbourne and 1464 Troutman Boulevard Northeast in Palm Bay. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families interested in learning more about services or enrollment can contact the organization by calling 321-610-8718 or emailing info@BrighterDaysPPEC.com.

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