PA START Allegheny
Mission Statement: PA START Allegheny aims to inspire and collaborate with mental health providers delivering services to people with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism from a cross-systems, strength-based, and positive psychology approach with the goal of closing the gaps through empowerment, education, and linkages.
Main phone: 412-723-1774
Location: 221 Penn Avenue, Suite 2100
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Program Director: Brittany Fenclau
We are looking forward to collaborating and partnering with our local school systems, hospitals, emergency responders, and community stakeholders who serve individuals, families, and systems with Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Autism Disorder, and Behavioral Health. Much of what we will do is focused on positive psychology and a strength-based approach. A cross-systems and person-centered approach is what drives our work and efforts for success.
Philadelphia START
The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) through the Division of Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS) is pleased to announce the implementation of the Philadelphia Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment (START) program through JEVS.
START is a community-based crisis prevention and intervention model supporting individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have co-occurring mental health or behavioral health needs. Implemented through DBHIDS, START strengthens Philadelphia’s BHID System of Care by promoting collaboration, reducing hospitalizations, and building sustainable, person-centered supports that improve stability and quality of life.
Minimum Program Eligibility Criteria:
- Age 18 or older and residing in Philadelphia County
- Documented intellectual/developmental disability
- Co-existing mental health or behavioral health concern
- Existing support team (START works with support teams of various sizes to provide holistic services).
- Consent for service
List of services provided
- Cross systems planning
- Crisis prevention and intervention
- Clinical consultation: diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning assistance
- Therapeutic coaching
Contact information / referral instructions
Email: BHID-START@phila.gov for referral form and to submit
