Skip to main content
NCDHHS logo NCDHHS

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • Assistance
    Assistance
    • Aging And Adult Services
    • Children's Services
    • Deaf-Blind Services
    • Disability Services
    • Disaster Preparation And Recovery
    • Guardianship
    • Hearing Loss
    • Low-Income Services
    • Medicaid Transformation
    • Medicaid
    • Mental Health And Substance Abuse
    • NC Assistive Technology
    • Pregnancy Services
    • Vendor Resources
    • Veteran's Services
    • Vision Loss
    • Vital Records
  • Divisions
    Divisions
    • Aging and Adult Services
    • Child and Family Well-Being
    • Child Development And Early Education
    • Disability Determination Services
    • Health Benefits (NC Medicaid)
    • Health Service Regulation
    • Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse
    • Office of Economic Opportunity
    • Office Of Minority Health And Health Disparities
    • Office of Rural Health
    • Public Health
    • Services for the Blind
    • Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
    • Social Services
    • State Operated Healthcare Facilities
    • Vocational Rehabilitation Services
  • Documents
  • Providers
    Providers
    • Licensure
    • Provider Info
    • LME-MCO Directory
    • Policies, Manuals and Forms
  • News
    News
    • Press Releases
    • Media Contacts
    • Events
    • Newsletter Articles
  • About
    About
    • Administrative Offices
    • DHHS Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
    • Department Initiatives
    • Grant Opportunities
    • Leadership
    • Overview
  • Contact
    Contact
    • Division Contacts
    • Hotlines
    • Report Fraud
  • NCDHHS COVID-19
  • NC.GOV
  • AGENCIES
  • JOBS
NCDHHS »   Divisions »   Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse »   NC START

NC START

North Carolina Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment (NC START)

North Carolina Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment (NC START) is a statewide community crisis prevention and intervention program for individuals age 6 and above with intellectual/developmental disability and co-occurring complex behavioral and/or mental health needs. START crisis prevention and intervention services are provided through clinical systemic consultation, training, education, therapeutic respite, crisis response and therapeutic couching. The model works to improve the lives of the individuals served and their families by providing services and supports using a person-centered, positive, multidisciplinary, cost-effective, systemic and evidence-informed approach.

The START program model was implemented in 1988 by Dr. Joan Beasley and her team. The initiative originated in the Center for START Services at the Institute on Disability/UCED at the University of New Hampshire. In 2016 the START model was identified as best practice by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine.

There are three START teams statewide, one team for each region of the state:
NC START West Asheville Kannapolis/Concord: 888-974-2937; Referrals: 888-974-2937
NC START Central Durham: 919-865-8730, 800-662-7119 x8730; Referrals: 919-865-8730
NC START East New Bern Wilmington: 888-962-3782; Referrals: 888-962-3782

Click here to view the NC START Overview by Dr. Jill Hinton - (Video, External link).

Resource Centers

Each START team has one Resource Center to provide therapeutic crisis respite and crisis prevention respite to eligible adults ages 18 and up. Each Resource Center has 4 beds: 2 planned respite beds and 2 crisis respite beds. Planned therapeutic respite is available in the Resource Centers for eligible adults living in unlicensed residential settings and receiving START services. Crisis therapeutic respite is available in the Resource Centers for all adults when clinically indicated and receiving START services.

START Services for Children

Children are eligible to receive Therapeutic Coaching in their home. Therapeutic Coaching aims to identify strengths and vulnerabilities of a support system, and work alongside individuals, families and care providers to promote growth and overall wellbeing. Therapeutic Coaching is provided in both a planned and crisis capacity.

Making a Referral

Referrals to NC START can be made by anyone known to the individual, with an understanding of the individual’s status and treatment, support and behavioral history, and the applicable consent for referral.

Referrals for adults can be made at any time to the appropriate NC START Team; contact information can be found above, for each START team.

Referrals for children not experiencing a crisis at the time of referral should be made to the LME-MCO during business hours.
After business hours for children in crisis contact the LME-MCO crisis line, click here LME-MCO contact information.

Files

NC-START-Regional-Map.pdf

PDF • 222.37 KB - April 01, 2019

Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse

  • Discounted Medications
  • Gambling
  • Involuntary Commitments
  • Jail Diversion
  • Medical Records
  • Adult Mental Health Services
  • Substance Abuse
  • Policies and Procedures
    • Consumer Empowerment Team
    • Current Plan of Correction Policy
    • Records Management and Documentation Manual (RM&DM)
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Councils and Committees
    • Community Empowerment and Engagement
    • Community Engagement and Training
    • State CFAC Volunteer Opportunities
    • State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Agendas
    • State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Conference Call Minutes
    • State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Letters
    • State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
    • State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Membership Information
    • State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee Reports
    • State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee
  • Commission for MH/DD/SAS
    • NC Commission Mission Statement
    • NC Administrative Code
    • Proposed Rules
      • Proposed Adoption of Rules 10A NCAC 26C Section .0700
      • Proposed Amendment of Rules 10A NCAC 27G .6702, Operations, and 10A NCAC 27H Section .0200
    • Rulemaking Petitions
    • Pseudoephedrine Requirements
  • Down Syndrome
    • Down Syndrome - Our Community
    • Down Syndrome - For Providers/Educators
    • Down Syndrome - Resources
  • ADETS Certification
  • COVID-19 and Behavioral Health
  • Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
  • Crisis Services
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services
  • Deepa Avula
  • Dr. Carrie Brown
  • For LME/MCOs
  • Grants
  • Hope4NC and Hope4Healers
  • Infant Plan of Safe Care
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • Joint Communication Bulletins
    • Archived DMH/DD/SAS Communication Bulletins
    • Joint Communication Bulletins 2016
    • Joint Communication Bulletins 2017
    • Joint Communication Bulletins 2017
    • Joint Communication Bulletins 2019
    • Joint Communication Bulletins 2020
  • NC START
  • New Contracts Focus on Improved Behavioral Health Outcomes
  • North Carolina Drug Control Unit
  • Program Integrity Referrals
  • Reports
    • Annual Statistical Reports
    • Annual Synar Report
    • Consumer Perceptions of Care Reports
    • Local Management Entity-Managed Care Organization (LME-MCO) Performance Summary
    • NC-TOPPS Reports
    • Performance Contracts Quarterly Report
    • Rate Reports
    • Reports to the NC General Assembly
    • Transitions to Community Living Quality of Life Survey
    • Veterans & Military Report
  • Supported Housing
  • Traumatic Brain Injury

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Back to top

Contact Information

NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030
For COVID-19 questions call 1-888-675-4567
Visit RelayNC for information about TTY services.

Recent Tweets

Tweets by @ncdhhs

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Translation Disclaimer
  • Employee Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open Budget
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-abuse/nc-start