Overview: Maryland START

The START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment) model is designed to support the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Center for START Services provides educational and capacity building for partners across the U.S. to improve the lives of people with I/DD by addressing their behavioral health needs.

The DDA and the Center for START Services are developing a pilot project to implement the START model in Maryland (Maryland START). On Feb. 5, the DDA held a kickoff meeting to introduce Maryland START and discuss the pilot for the central Maryland region. More than 60 people attended the kickoff meeting including families, hospital representatives and service provider agencies.