Is your child safe right now?
If a nurse did not come and your child's safety is at risk, call 911 or your child's doctor first. Everything below can wait until your child is safe.
Why are my child's GAPP nursing hours not being filled?
The most common reasons families hear are a shortage of nurses in their area, nights and weekends that are harder to staff, nurses leaving the agency, or an agency that took on more families than it has nurses for. Whatever the reason, your child's approved hours do not change just because the agency cannot fill them.
What should I do when GAPP shifts go unfilled?
- Keep a simple log. Date, shift, who was supposed to come, whether anyone came, and who covered.
- Tell the agency in writing each time, by text or email, so there is a record.
- Ask for a staffing plan in writing: which shifts they will fill, starting when, and with whom.
- Ask how many of your approved hours they can actually staff. A clear number tells you whether to look elsewhere.
- Compare other agencies if the gaps continue. See how to choose or switch a GAPP agency.
Why keep a record of missed GAPP shifts?
A log of missed shifts shows what a normal week really looks like. It helps when you raise the problem with the agency, when you compare agencies, and when your child's hours come up for review. Keep it short and steady. A few lines a day is enough.
How does GAPP Check help with unfilled nursing hours?
GAPP Check sets up a simple log with you, writes the staffing request to your agency, and follows up on the answer. If the agency cannot staff your child's hours, we help you compare other agencies and coordinate a switch without a gap in care.
When is GAPP Check not the right fit?
We are not a law firm and we are not part of the state. If you believe your child was harmed or neglected, contact your child's doctor and a lawyer. Georgia has free legal help for families: Georgia Legal Services Program, Georgia Appleseed and the Georgia Advocacy Office.
Questions families ask
Do unfilled shifts mean my child's GAPP hours will be cut?
Unfilled shifts do not by themselves change your child's approved hours. Keep a record of the gaps either way, so the file shows your child's real needs and what actually happened.
Can a parent cover the missed GAPP shifts and get paid?
The Family Caregiver Option can pay a parent who lives with the child for personal support hours, like bathing, dressing and meals. It does not cover skilled nursing. Ask your agency whether it offers FCO.
Should I switch agencies right away?
Not always. Ask for a written staffing plan first. If the agency cannot give you a clear plan, or the plan is not kept, it is time to compare other agencies.
Is this help free?
Yes. GAPP Check is free for families.