Caring Conversations Toolkit


The information in this toolkit will help families and caregivers ask questions to learn if it is time to start a conversation about palliative care or hospice.

The information has also been modified so that medical professionals and health care providers can ask similar questions of families to begin a conversation about if and when it is time to talk about palliative care or hospice for their child.

"Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity."  ~ Nat Turner 

For Parents and Caregivers:

Resource for how to talk about "Pediatric Palliative Care" with your care team

Pediatric Palliative Care Guide for Parents

Resource for how to talk about "Pediatric Hospice" with your care team

Pediatric Hospice Guide for Parents

For Healthcare Providers:

Resource for talking to families about "Pediatric Palliative Care"

For Providers: Pediatric Palliative Care Conversation Guide

Resource for talking to families about "Pediatric Hospice"

For Providers: Pediatric Hospice Conversation Guide

Additional Resources

PPCC Firefly Chats
The PPCC Firefly Chat is a series of interactive virtual discussions with parents and professionals that explore issues facing the pediatric palliative and hospice care community.

The Conversation Project: For Caregivers of a Child with Serious Illness
The Conversation Project: Pediatric Starter Kit
The Conversation Project: Get Started
The Conversation Project
VitalTalk - Communications Skills for Serious Illness
NHPCO: Talking About Serious Illness and Care  
NHPCO: Courageous Conversations
Conversations Matter: Palliative Care Tool
Courageous Parents Network: Finding Support as you care for your child with a serious medical condition  
Palliative Care for Infants, Children and Adolescents - A Practical Handbook

Advance Care Planning for Pediatric Patients

PPCC Resources
PPC Webinar Series - Archived Webinars
     1. Conversations Matter: Pediatric Advance Care Planning and Shared Decision Making with Adolescents 
     2. Creative Conversations: Advance Care Planning in Pediatrics
PPCC Firefly Chat - Honoring Our Children: Initiating Conversations about Funeral Planning and Memorialization
PPCC Newsletter - End-of-Life Decision-Making for Children and Adolescents

Five Wishes: National Advance Care Planning Program
Voicing My Choices: SAMPLE Planning Guide for Adolescents and Young Adults
Voicing My Choices: Order Here: Planning Guide for Adolescents and Young Adults
My Wishes: SAMPLE Booklet for children to express wishes for their care  
My Wishes: Order Here: Booklet for children to express wishes for their care


384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 | Contact Betsy Hawley at: betsy@ppcc-pa.org

PPCC is not a health care provider and does not give medical advice or treatment. PPCC does not endorse or recommend any listed facilities, service providers, or support groups herein. PPCC offers the list and information as a resource only. PPCC does not pre-evaluate, or consider the Medicare/Medicaid status of the providers.

The Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition is a registered 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.  Donations are tax-deductible according to the IRS’s rules and regulations.  The official registration and financial information for PPCC may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999.