CCATER Center Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the CCATER Center.

What is the difference between CARES for Kids and the CCATER Center?

• The Coordinating Aligned, Relationship-centered, Enhanced Support (CARES) for Kids is a program run by MassHealth. CARES for Kids services provides targeted case management for children and youth with medical complexity enrolled in the program.
• The Care Coordination, Assistance, Training, Education, and Resource (CCATER) Center is run by the Department of Public Health. The Center provides training and technical assistance to CARES for Kids providers.

Who is eligible to enroll in CCATER Center training and technical assistance?

• You must be a MassHealth CARES for Kids provider to enroll in CCATER Center training and technical assistance. You can use the CARES Program Provider Certification Form to enroll in, CARES for Kids or email [e-mail] to learn more.

How do I enroll in CCATER Center e-learning? 

• If you are a CARES for Kids provider and would like to enroll in CCATER Center e-learnings, please email [e-mail]. The CCATER Center uses the TRAINlearning management system to host all of its trainings. 

How does the CCATER Center partner with CARES for Kids providers on e-learnings to meet their MassHealth regulatory training requirements? 

CCATER Center e-learnings meet the following MassHealth training requirements:

• Care coordination principles for children and families, including needs of populations with multiple co-occurring conditions 
• Racial, cultural, and linguistic equity, including implicit bias 
• Community-based social service system, and state agency resources
• Educational systems, including training on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans 
• Shared plan of care development, including learning from and building partnerships with families, with a life course framework

How does the CCATER Center provide technical assistance?

• You can email [e-mail] for technical assistance. The technical assistance and family engagement specialists work with providers to answer questions and connect them to resources related to enhanced care coordination and CARES for Kids training requirements. 

Can families of children with medical complexity enroll in the CCATER Center?

• No, the CCATER Center works directly with healthcare provider teams to improve quality of care and the wellbeing for children with medical complexity. Families can learn more about the MassHealth CARES for Kids program on the CARES for Kids website 
• Families can also call the DPH Community Support Line fat 1-800-882-1435 if they have questions about available resources or services for their child. 

Are there eligibility requirements to participate in the Enhanced Care Coordination Collaborative (ECC Collaborative)?

• To participate in the ECC Collaborative, CARES for Kids providers are required to complete the “Standards of Enhanced Care Coordination” training or equivalent training on care coordination principles for children and families. For further information, please contact [e-mail].

If you are a family member and would like to enroll in CARES for Kids, please visit their webpage on CARES for Kids Program Services. 

If you are a family member and have questions about services the Department of Public Health offers, you can call the DPH Community Support Line at 1-800-882-1435.