Geisinger Pediatric Complex Care Resource Center (PCCRC)

Supporting Families and Caregivers of Children with Complex Medical Needs

The Pediatric Complex Care Resource Centers (PCCRCs) are dedicated to helping families and caregivers navigate the non-medical aspects of caring for a child with complex medical needs, ensuring they feel supported while receiving in-home care services.

We are committed to offering family-centered support, with an emphasis on fostering communication, providing education, and connecting families to community resources.

PCCRC Resources

Family Facilitator:

Our Family Facilitator assists in the safe and sustainable transition of children with medical complexities to their families or family-based alternative settings. As a transition navigator, they serve as a liaison between departments to inform families about in-home services and options for family-based alternatives to institutions. Additionally, the Family Facilitator focuses on the diversion of placements from community to pediatric facilities.

Services Provided by Family Facilitator:

Meeting with children, families, and providers in their homes and communities to assess needs and assist with transition planning.
Connecting with families, health organizations, hospital social workers, and discharge planners to discuss in-home care services and family-based alternatives to institutional care.
Serving as transitional coordinators until the child finds placement in a family or family-based alternative.
Collaborating with health care systems, Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to accept referrals for children needing permanent family or community-based care.

Family Facilitator: Andrea Runkle, LSW

alrunkle3@geisinger.edu
570-293-4536

Pediatric Coaches:

Our Pediatric Coaches provide personalized support to the child’s caregiver team, helping them collaborate effectively in caring for children with complex medical needs at home.

Services Provided by Pediatric coaches:

Providing non-medical caregiver support and intervention
Problem solving and conflict resolution as teams work together to meet the child’s needs
Bridging the gap between family, social, and medical goals to ensure holistic care
Empowering individual family members to confidently advocate for their child’s needs
Ensuring families and caregivers have the support to continue to care for the child in their home and divert congregate care placement
Cross system coordination, collaboration, and resource sharing
Providing education and training to families and health care providers.

Pediatric Coach: James Houston, LSW

jhouston3@geisinger.edu
570-293-4536

Pediatric Coach: Amanda Bachinger, MSW

albachinger2@geisinger.edu
570-452-1427

MyODP Online Training Hub (Coming Soon)

No-cost essential training, information, and support materials for children with complex medical needs.

Self-paced training topics to include:

Fundamental Patient Support and Behavioral Health Training
Durable Medical Equipment
Advocacy Guidance
Transition/Environmental Support
Relationship Management

Family Advisory Workgroups

Our Pediatric Coaches also lead our Family Advisory Workgroups, designed to support families caring for children with complex medical needs. These workgroups will act as a safety net where families can voice care concerns, offer feedback on the services they use and make suggestions. The workgroups provide a way for families to connect with each other to decrease feeling isolated or alone in their journey. Workgroups are held quarterly in person, virtual or hybrid.

There are 4 PCCRC’s throughout the Commonwealth of PA each covering designated counties. The Geisinger PCCRC provides services for the following 13 counties: Blair, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder and Union.