General Information

  • What services can the agency provide?
  • Does the agency accept my child's health insurance plan?
  • Can I get names of parents who have used the agency to call for references?
  • How do I stop or change services?

Experience of Staff

  • Is the agency licensed by the Department of Public Health?
  • Does the agency have staff with the specific training to meet my child's needs? If not, are they willing to add or train staff?
  • Can I interview the caregiver? Who will pay for the caregiver's time during the interview and training? Have the caregiver's references and criminal history been checked?
  • Who will supervise my child's home health caregivers?

Communication and Planning

  • How will the agency communicate with my child's primary care provider (PCP) and specialty providers?
  • How are schedules made? Can the schedule be changed?
  • Will my child have a single caregiver or a different one every time?
  • What does the agency do about back-up services?
  • How will I be involved in developing my child's nursing care plan?
  • Who can I talk with if I have concerns about my child's caregiver?

Types of Services

  • Who at the agency will coordinate care and help solve problems for my child?
  • Can the caregiver take my child to medical appointments and to school?
  • How do I get a copy of my child's clinical record, including care and nursing care plans?
  • Will the agency take care of my child's equipment needs, or do I need to arrange for an outside equipment company?
  • Will related services, such as nursing, physical or occupational therapy be coordinated through the agency?
  • Will home health agency staff help with my child's transition from home to school?

Contact Information

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108-4619
800-882-1435 (in MA only) or 617-624-6060
617-624-5992 (TTY)

*Adapted from Working Toward a Balance in Our Lives: A Booklet for Families of Children with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs. Project School Care, Children's Hospital . Boston: Harvard University, Office of the University Publisher, 1992.

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