Presenters: Andrea Caoili, PhD; Stephanie Parker M.D., Adalia Ortiz, and Lexy Johnston; Noemi Beck, PsyD
Description:
This session features the 1st and 2nd place poster winners from the 2025 START National Training Institute’s Research Poster Session: Stories of Innovation and Inclusion. Andrea Caoili, Director of Research and Quality Assurance at the National Center for START Services®, will open the session with an introduction on the importance of applied research in the START model and how research posters serve as tools for advancing best practices. Following this introduction, the 1st place winners from CA START Golden Gate will present their work “Person-Centered Sleep Strategies: Addressing Biopsychosocial Impacts of Sleep Challenges in the IDD Population”, sharing insights into innovative strategies that address complex needs within IDD-MH community. The 2nd place winner, CA START Alta, will then present their work on “Bridging Hearts: Building Self-Awareness & Empathy Through Personal Stories,” highlighting creative and community-based approaches to system improvement.
Objectives:
- Describe the role of applied research in advancing evidence-informed practices within the START model.
- Summarize key findings from two award-winning research posters and their implications for supporting people with IDD-MH.
- Evaluate how START research highlights lived experiences and promotes culturally responsive, community-driven solutions.
SNTI Poster Winners
First Place
CA START Golden Gate
Person-Centered Sleep Strategies: Addressing Biopsychosocial Impacts of Sleep Challenges in the IDD Population
Second Place
CA START Alta
Bridging Hearts: Building Self-Awareness and Empathy Through Personal Stories
Adalia Ortiz
Adalia Ortiz, Program Director- CA Golden Gate START
Adalia has been a dedicated member of the START programs for over three years, during which she has successfully supported two distinct teams in achieving certification. Before joining the START program, she spent several years working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) before transitioning from behavioral health to mental health in response to the significant and unmet needs she observed in the field. She brings expertise in early childhood development, nature-based counseling, and family dynamics—areas that strongly inform her collaborative work within START. Her specialized knowledge enhances team effectiveness and contributes to the development of person-centered approaches within START work. Her passion for research is driven by a commitment to advancing the mental health field, with the goal of ensuring accessible and effective support for those who need it.
Dr. Stephanie Parker
Dr. Stephanie Parker, Clinical Director- CA Golden Gate START
Dr. Stephanie Parker is a trained physician from Mexico City who worked in family medicine for five years before seeking a change away from deficit-based treatment. Now clinical Director at Golden Gate START; she brings a strength-based, trauma-informed approach to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
She’s known for leading with heart, curiosity, and cultural humility, and her work has shaped meaningful, person-centered practices. In addition to her role at START, Dr. Parker has worked closely with immigrant communities offering mental health support grounded in cultural competency.
She led this two-year project on sleep and its biopsychosocial impact on wellbeing, combining data analysis in year one with the award-winning interventions in year two. Dr. Parker is deeply committed to expanding access to compassionate care.
Lexy Johnston
Lexy Johnston, START Coordinator- CA Golden Gate START
Lexy has brought a thoughtful and collaborative presence to her role as a START coordinator for the past year. Her work is grounded in a deep respect for individual autonomy and a strong belief in the importance of person-centered care. With a background in human biology and public health, Lexy is especially passionate about translating complex ideas into accessible, supportive practices for individuals with IDD and their systems of care. Before joining START, she worked as a para-educator, EMT, and peer counselor, experiences that shaped her trauma-informed approach and commitment to inclusive care. She continues to be drawn to work that bridges systems and strengthens community resilience, with the goal of fostering long-term stability and meaningful connection.
Dr. Noemi Beck
Dr. Noemi Beck, Clinical Director- CA START Alta
Dr. Noemi Beck holds a doctorate in psychology and brings over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. For the past five years, she has served as the Clinical Director at CA ALTA START, where she leads efforts to support individuals with complex needs. Dr. Beck is deeply passionate about working with children and adults with disabilities, dedicating their career to fostering inclusive, person-centered care. Outside of work, they enjoy traveling, hiking, and paddle boarding—finding balance and inspiration in the outdoors.
This event is part of the National Online Training Series and is available by subscription from the National Center for START Services®. Each month, the NOTS includes a pre-recorded presentation and a live Q&A session with presenters, available to subscribers only. You must be subscribed to our list to receive the recording and access the live Q&A.
How to subscribe: Current START programs are automatically subscribed. Many individuals can access the NOTS for free by partnering with their local START program. If you or your agency are interested in subscribing, please fill out this training interest survey. A member of our training department will connect with you for next steps.
Accommodation Requests: It is our goal to make the NOTS live Q&A accessible for all. CART services will be provided for every live Q&A and does not require an accommodation request. Should you have additional accommodation requests, please complete this form and we will make every reasonable effort to meet that request. Someone from NCSS will contact you about the status of your request.
Disclaimer: Speakers and presenters participating in sessions are encouraged to express their findings, experiences, and conclusions on specific topics. They are selected for their areas of expertise and personal and professional knowledge. Therefore, points of view or opinions of our speakers and presenters do not officially represent the National Center for START Services®, the Institute on Disability, or the University of New Hampshire.
