Care Coordination

What is DPH Care Coordination?

Experienced staff members are located in regional health offices and selected local pediatric practices in each part of the state. Care coordinators provide:

• Information and referral to community services;
• Case-specific consultation to parents, educators, and medical and social service providers in home and agency settings.
• Training in public benefits to parents’ groups and agency staff.

Services for Parents: If a child has a special health care need — for example, a chronic illness, a disabling condition, or a frequent need for medical technology — it can be difficult and frustrating to get the information, care, and services needed. Care coordinators can help parents to:

• Identify the needs of their child and family;
• Understand the full range of available public benefits;
• Identify community resources to assist them;
• Gain access to specific programs and services;
• Become more effective advocates;
• Connect with other families who face similar challenges

Services for Providers: Medical, social service, and educational providers may be unfamiliar with or confused about benefits and community-based services available to children with special health care needs. Care coordinators can help these providers to:

• Understand existing entitlements and how to gain access to them;
• Obtain services and benefits for families;
• Identify appropriate community-based resources;
• Become better advocates for the families they serve

Target Population: Any family whose child has special health care needs and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or maintaining services; any service provider or other interested party requiring information or technical assistance about services for children and adolescents with special health care needs.

Two Ways to Locate a DPH Care Coordinator

Method 1: Contact one of the following medical practices directly if your child receives his or her primary care services there. At each of these sites, one or more DPH Care Coordinators works as part of the MA Medical Home Project, an effort to promote systems of care for children with special health care needs and their families which are accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate and culturally competent. Contact the practice directly at the number shown and ask for the DPH Care Coordinator for Children with Special Health Care Needs:

Method 2: Contact the Community Support Line for Children with Special Health Care Needs at 1-800-882-1435.

Learn more about the medical home initiatives in Massachusetts and many other states.

Comment on Our Services and Key Activities

• Public Comments

Contact Information

Sandra Broughton, Director
Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: (617) 994-9819
Fax: (617) 624-5990
Email: sandra.broughton@state.ma.us