Special Kids says insurance shortfalls leave families paying; asks city for operating support

At the April 14 budget workshop, a representative identified as Miss Casey, speaking for Special Kids in Murfreesboro, described the nonprofit’s services for children with special health‑care needs and asked the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to consider operating funds to cover therapy not reimbursed by TennCare.

Casey said Special Kids serves about 900 children at two facilities — a therapy center and a nursing facility — while noting there are roughly 16,000 children in Rutherford County with special health‑care needs. The nursing facility provides day nursing (she described typical hours beginning about 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with some earlier drop‑offs so parents can work) and the therapy center provides occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapy sessions of about 45 minutes.

Why it matters: Casey said many families rely on TennCare, which limits the number and reimbursement level of therapy sessions. “Our biggest ask is for just operating funds,” she said, explaining the funds would go toward therapists and program operating costs to fill gaps between what insurance covers and what families need so that children can be ready for school.

Board members asked for basic program details: Casey said Special Kids has been in Rutherford County about 26 years, the main facility is in Murfreesboro, and most families served (about 96 percent) live in Rutherford County with small percentages from neighboring counties. She said the organization recently hired a full‑time feeding therapist and aims to hire an additional provider because current schedules are fully booked.

The presentation was discussion only; the board did not vote on funding during the workshop. Casey said Special Kids uses sliding‑scale fees and does not turn away children for inability to pay.