Answers to what families ask us.

We are! Joy Care Unit launched in June 2026 and is welcoming new families now. Request an introductory meeting and we'll walk you through our services, assess fit, and start building your child's care team.

The best first step is to request a meeting with Sammi. We'll schedule a 30-minute conversation — virtual or in-person — to understand your child's needs and walk you through how we can help. There's no cost and no commitment.

We serve families throughout the Treasure Valley, including Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Star, Kuna, and surrounding communities. If you're outside this area, please still reach out — we may be able to help or refer you to a trusted partner.

We serve pediatric patients from infancy through age 21. Our team is equipped for children with tracheostomies, ventilator dependence, G-tube feeding, genetic conditions, congenital heart defects, seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, and other complex medical needs. If your child's condition isn't listed on our Who We Serve page, please reach out — we evaluate every family individually.

We offer scheduled 12-hour shifts (day, evening, and overnight), as well as continuous 24/7 coverage for children who need around-the-clock skilled nursing. Your schedule is built around your family's needs, not the other way around.

Absolutely, and we insist on it. Every family meets their nurse before care begins. You'll review the care plan together, ask questions, and make sure it feels right. This is a fundamental part of our Partnership Model — we don't assign nurses, we match them.

Fit matters. If a nurse isn't the right match for your family — for any reason — let us know. We'll work with you to find someone who fits better. Our matching process is designed to get it right the first time, but we know relationships take time, and we'll stay with you until your care team feels right.

Every nurse we hire is a licensed RN or LPN in Idaho with verified credentials, background checks, and current certifications. We also prioritize pediatric-specific experience. Nurses receive condition-specific orientation with each family and ongoing clinical support from our agency team.

Both RNs (Registered Nurses) and LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) provide skilled nursing care. RNs have additional training and a broader scope of practice, including performing assessments and developing care plans. LPNs provide hands-on care under an RN's supervision. Your child's care plan will specify which level of nurse is appropriate; we staff both.

For families who need continuous or high-hour coverage, your child will typically have a small team of 4–6 nurses who rotate. This ensures someone is always available and prevents burnout. For lower-hour cases, we aim for one or two consistent nurses. Stability and continuity are core to our model.

We work with Idaho Medicaid, private insurance, and private pay. Carriers we currently work with include Blue Cross of Idaho, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, PacificSource Health Plans, SelectHealth, St. Luke's Health Plan, Mountain Health CO-OP, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Moda Health, and TRICARE West. Don't see your carrier? It's simple for us to add new ones, so just ask. Pediatric private duty nursing is often covered under Medicaid for children who meet medical necessity criteria, and we verify your benefits before care begins.

Private pay is always an option, and we'll be transparent about rates during your introductory meeting. We also know that private duty nursing is a significant cost for families paying out of pocket, and we're happy to help explore other options with you — including Medicaid waiver programs and pediatric-specific financial assistance.