The SCDDO will contract with the NCSS for consultation and technical assistance in implementing the START model in Sedgwick County. The successful vendor will work with NCSS in developing the START clinical team and START resource center to include training and certification. As part of this contractual relationship, the vendor will be required to sign a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement with NCSS and Sedgwick County. It is not expected for the full START team to be available upon initiation, rather a staggered approach is required. The Program and Clinical Directors are key to developing the policies and procedures for the START Team. NCSS has specific educational requirements for START team members, the proposal should speak to any local staff capacity issues and strategies to ensure START team members meet position requirements (i.e. degree requirements may be flexible if the candidate has corresponding experience to fulfill the position’s duties). A goal of the START project is to maximize use of the mental health resources available in Sedgwick County, to include collaboration with existing 24/7 mental health crisis response services to meet the 24-hour response requirement. A START clinical team does not replace any member of an existing system of support. Rather, they collaborate and facilitate change through the way they understand, interact with, and respond to the people and systems they serve. Based on the premise that there is no value in expertise if it is not shared, START clinical teams continually share knowledge with system partners to build capacity. The goal of START is to help the person and their support system achieve stability, eventually building a system that functions more independently requiring no further or decreased support from the START team. This goal is accomplished through specialized support (e.g., outreach), assessment, and intervention that builds on the principles and practices of START. Services and supports offered by START clinical teams include: • Training and expertise in the mental health aspects of IDD, including Clinical Education Teams • Systems linkage supports • Intake and assessment activities using standardized and validated assessment tools • Comprehensive Service Evaluations: bio-psycho-social evaluation of strengths and needs including trauma, developmental and communication-related psychological vulnerabilities, skills, natural supports, cultural considerations, etc. • Eco-mapping, systemic analysis, and consultation • Outreach to the person, their family, and support system to enhance team capacity
