Get STARTed with Us!
Interested parties may contract with NCSS to develop a START program. NCSS provides training, consultation, ongoing coaching, and data reports and feedback to our partners to learn and implement the START model to meet fidelity standards. Standards are based on data gathered and research on the model. Once a START program is meeting standards independently and consistently, they go through the program certification process. This typically takes about 4 years.
START programs obtain certification through a rigorous review by the National Center for START Services® Quality Assurance Department. Throughout the process, NCSS reviewers utilize quality assurance tools to ensure fidelity to START program certification standards, provide guidance, identify training needs, and promote reliability and consistency across the National START Network.
Type of program certification is based on the services offered:
- Clinical Team Plus: A program certified in both clinical team services and therapeutic supports (resource center, therapeutic coaching, or both) to either adults (18+), children (6-21), or lifespan (6+).
- Clinical Team: A program certified in clinical team services only, serving adults, children, or lifespan.
Preparation to achieve all START model competency areas begins during the initial program implementation phase. During years 3-4 of operation, a mastery of START practices is demonstrated and programs typically begin preparing for the program certification application process.
Program Development By Year
Year 1
- NCSS project facilitator provides technical assistance (in-person and/or virtual visits) based on contractual agreements
- Program staff receives training, coaching, and coordinator certification support from NCSS
- Programs implement services during training; START uses an apprentice model so that training occurs in the context of application.
- NCSS provides data reporting, training, and feedback to measure individual and team outcomes as well as learn what the data may indicate about community-wide needs.
Year 2
- START program director begins program certification preparation with assistance from NCSS project facilitator and QA department
- START programs continued to implement the START model with ongoing training, coaching, and support.
Year 3
- START programs continued to implement the START model with ongoing feedback, especially around data collection and outcome indicators.
- NCSS direct involvement wanes; project facilitators conduct practice certification reviews
- Programs submit Certification Application narrative at least 4 months prior to scheduled on-site review and application attachments 30 days prior to on-site review
- On-site review conducted by one or more members of NCSS Program Certification Review Board. The NCSS Reviewer(s) is accompanied by assigned project facilitator.
Year 4
- Programs receive 2-year certification based on outcome of on-site review
- Initial program on-site review concludes with corrective action recommendations expected to be submitted to NCSS.
- NCSS provides at least monthly support and feedback to programs.
- The team can expect annual visits by NCSS staff. The visits will either be QA reviews or certification renewal (every two years) visits.
