Program Description

THE CENTER FOR START SERVICES
Consultation and Training in Crisis Prevention, Management, and Support for
Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Behavioral Health Needs

Mission: To enhance local capacity and provide collaborative, cost-effective support to individuals and their families through exemplary clinical services, education and training, with close attention to service outcomes.

The START program model which was first developed in 1988, presents a least restrictive model of care/support that offers provision of multi-modal clinical assessment and support, training and empowerment for families and caregivers including effective behavior management and therapeutic tools, a residential therapeutic respite facility, and optimal utilization of existing resources through:

  • System linkages
  • Used throughout the United States to enhance the service system though active collaboration
  • Provides professional and logistic “linkages” between service providers in multiple disciplines
  • Improves expertise across systems of care
  • Promotes the use of “generic” services whenever possible
  • “Special” services provided for those who need them
  • Sustainable blended funding
  • Services designed to fill service gaps START is an evidence based program model. Research outcomes include:
  • Reduction of emergency service use
  • High rates of satisfaction by families and care recipients
  • Cost effective service delivery

START was cited as a program model in the 2002 US Surgeon General’s Report on mental health disparities for persons with developmental disabilities.

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History of START

START has been providing clinical, emergency and respite services since 1989 (Beasley et. al, 1992). The Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation funds the START program in order to provide community based crisis intervention and prevention services to individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral (mental) health care needs. The underlying philosophy o f START is that services will be most effective when everyone involved in care and treatment is allowed to participate actively in treatment planning and service decisions. In order for this to occur, collaboration between service providers and with service users is needed.

START is a part of the Robert D. Sovner Behavioral Health Resource Center. Services at the Center include START and outpatient mental health services that specialize in treating individuals with developmental disabilities. The services are provided region-wide, and over 1200 individuals have used Sovner Center and START services since they began in 1989.

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START Services

The following services are available from a range of experts in START model concepts and implementation:

  • CONSULTATION SERVICES
  • TRAINING
  • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT
  • RESEARCH & EVALUATION
  • MH/ID COMMUNITY SERVICE ELEMENTS
    • Service planning/coordination
    • Cross systems/interdisciplinary training
    • Outpatient mental health – counseling/psychiatry
    • Health care and dentistry
    • Crisis prevention and crisis intervention planning
    • Residential/Housing/Day/Vocational: Habilitation
    • Respite
    • Inpatient hospitalization
    • Hospital diversion/mobile crisis support
    • Psychology/behavioral support planning
    • Family support/education/outreach

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START Locations

States in which services have been developed based on the START Model:

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts*
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • New Hampshire*
  • North Carolina*
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee*
  • Texas
  • Washington

*States with full implementation

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Program Staff & Contacts

For more information about the START model, consultation, and training, contact:

Joan B. Beasley, PhD
Director, Center for START Services
joan.beasley@unh.edu
Institute on Disability / UCED
56 Old Suncook Road, Suite 2
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 617.469.7391
Fax: 603.228.3270

Linda Bimbo, MS
Deputy Director, Institute on Disability
linda.bimbo@unh.edu
Institute on Disability / UCED
56 Old Suncook Road, Suite 2
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.228.2084
Fax: 603.228.3270

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Resources & Links

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