About Us
Mission
The National Center for START Services® aims to improve the lives of persons with IDD and mental health needs and their system of support through research, training and professional development, and START program implementation based on the START model.
Vision
We envision culturally responsive communities where people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs experience belonging where their unique strengths and talents are respected and valued.
Values
- Service recipients and their families are our most valued partners.
- Capacity building begins with positive engagement whether it is one person or a large system. We emphasize building upon abilities in each person and their system of support.
- Help begins with providing “oxygen” to resolve an immediate destabilizing situation. This allows for hope and change going forward.
- Networking increases depth of knowledge and capacity to provide services for all.
- We must all be open to learning and teaching through continuous assessment of outcomes along with educational opportunities with easily accessible local, regional, statewide, and national forums, study groups, and training materials.
- Team effort creates opportunities. This includes mutual respect that allows for team input to help the program continue to improve and change.
- Community develops and maintains fellowship with others that share common attitudes, values, interests, and goals.
- Fidelity ensures training and consultation to support the integrity of activities that make the START Model effective and directly impact success and desired outcomes.
- Humanity requires conducting all activities with compassion, understanding, and kindness.
