JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The ongoing government shutdown is causing a ripple effect for military families and those in the healthcare field.

One local clinic serving military families with special needs children says it has reached a financial breaking point.

Genevieve Covington is the CEO and Founder of Bloom Behavioral Solutions located right outside naval station Mayport. The clinic provides care to about 70 families whose children are living with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and ADD/ADHD. 90% of the families they serve are military.

This business which employs more than 40 people is classified as an autism care demonstration under TRICARE, the military’s health insurance system.

The latest government shutdown has frozen funding. Since the program is not a covered medical benefit, it isn’t protected during a shutdown.

That means no payments, since September 23rd and no timeline on when they’ll resume.

“Now I am left with this horrific decision of do I continue to provide services. I have no idea when this government shutdown will end,” said Genevieve Covington, board certified behavioral analyst and CEO of bloom behavioral solutions. 

Covington said this isn’t the first challenge her small business has faced. 

Back in January, a TRICARE contract transition left providers waiting 90 days without reimbursement, something they’re still recovering from.

On Thursday, the CEO sent this letter to families she serves, explaining the financial situation: 

“If services were to be placed on hold, these families are going to have to navigate having their children at home instead of being in our facility receiving the services they require,” said Covington. 

Now with no answers and no end in sight, Covington is left making tough choices.

“Do I continue to provide services? I absolutely have to. I’m under a contractual obligation unless I give 45-days’ notice to the TRICARE beneficiaries,” she said.