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: Families whose child has special health care and complex coordination needs and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or maintaining services; service providers requiring information or technical assistance about services for children and adolescents with special health care needs.

Comment on Our Services and Key Activities

Contact Information

Sandra Broughton, Director
Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition
250 Washington Street, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02108
phone: 617-994-9819
fax: 617-624-5990
email: sandra.broughton@state.ma.us

This information is provided by the Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood, and Special Health Needs within the Department of Public Health.