The Western New York and Finger Lakes region recently became the first area to launch NY START (Systemic Therapeutic Assessment Resources and Treatment), a pilot program that will provide community-based crisis response and prevention services to individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs.
The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is excited about the development of the NY START program across the state. The START model, which was first developed in Massachusetts, is being launched across New York in phases with the Capital District, Hudson Valley, and Taconic areas scheduled next for launch in late October 2014.
The program's goal is to provide response and prevention services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs, as well as their families and those who provide support within the community. NY START is not a separate system and does not replace existing services.
The NY START program will provide training, consultation, therapeutic services and technical assistance to enhance the ability of the community to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex behavioral health needs, and focuses on establishing integrated services with agency providers. Providing supports that help individuals to remain in their home or community placement is NY START's first priority.
Visit http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/ny-start/home to access NY START services or for more information.
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