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Important Notice to Families and Providers of
Children with Special Health Care Needs
March 16, 2004
Dear Families and Providers,
I am writing to let you know that the Division for Special Health Needs is undergoing a reorganization to better serve children with special health needs and their families. [Below] this letter is the Notice that details the changes.
A major change to our programs is that, beginning March 29th, we will centralize and expand utilization of our technical assistance and public benefits information line: 1-800-882-1435. Referral to care coordination will also be provided through this centralized system. The 800 number should be used by providers and families for access to these services, rather than contacting the DPH regional offices as you may have in the past.
The Division for Special Health Needs is committed to providing families the level of care coordination and other support services that they need. We believe that centralized and expanded use of the 800 number will improve service to families in the Commonwealth.
Please contact me should you have any questions about this reorganization, or if you need this information in alternate formats. I can be reached at (617) 624-5070 (voice) (617) 624-5992 (TTY) or via email at cheryl.bushnell@state.ma.us.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Bushnell, MS, RN, Director
Division for Special Health Needs
Effective March 29, 2004
In order to offer stronger and more consistent supports to children with special health care needs and their families across the state, the Division for Special Health Needs is undergoing a reorganization.
DPH Care Coordinators now work directly with more than a dozen medical practices throughout Massachusetts, and will continue to assist these providers in their efforts to improve both medical and social service to children with special health care needs and their families. We call these Medical Home partnerships and believe they are the most effective way to promote system-wide improvements in how this population is served.
Because not every child with special health care needs receives pediatric care from one of our Medical Home partnership practices, our goal is to ensure the same standard of Care Coordination services is available to all children who need them. To accomplish this, we will:
- Strengthen and expand our toll-free technical assistance line. In addition to technical assistance and referrals, staff will identify and refer families in need of Care Coordination services.
- Distribute information about our toll-free technical assistance line to families, providers, school systems, community-based organizations, and other likely sources of referral.
- Serve families who need services regardless of where families receive their pediatric care.
- Continue to work with our many local, state, and national partners to promote Medical Home partnerships. We are working hard to make Medical Home the standard of care for every child in the Commonwealth. Please note – effective March 29, 2004: Families and providers from anywhere in the Commonwealth who need information and/or referral assistance concerning children with special health care needs should call the Division's toll-free technical assistance line (1-800-882-1435) instead of contacting individual DPH regional health offices. Experienced resource specialists will answer questions and provide information about a broad range of programs, including:
- Public Benefits Information (SSI, CommonHealth, MassHealth, etc.)
- Special Medical Funds, including Flexible Family Support funds
- The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund
- Family-to-Family Supports (Family TIES, etc.)
- Care Coordination Services
If you have questions about this reorganization, please contact Cheryl Bushnell, Director, Division for Special Health Needs at (617) 624-5070 or email at cheryl.bushnell@state.ma.us.
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