Home

"Now We Have Hope" captures the unique practices and philosophies of the START model

watch the start documentary film

A still from the START documentary film which features Shelle, a woman with long wavy blond hair wearing a white shirt and green vest and Braxton, a man with short dark hair wearing a black shirt

Latest News & Press

A woman in a wheelchair using her cellphone to video chat with someone
Social Media: No Replacement for Accessible, In-Person Connection
One risk, often disguised as a benefit, is the way social media and technology can be confused as a replacement for accessible, in-person spaces. Learn More
A woman with shoulder length brown hair holds her hands up, palms facing, as she explains something to a group of people sitting at tables
START Model

START is an evidence-based, community crisis prevention and intervention service model for individuals with IDD.

Learn More

Several people sit facing a speaker at the front of a room with a projected image of a powerpoint slide beside her
Training & Professional Development

Professional development trainings are evidence-informed and based on the foundation of START principles.

Learn More

Two people talking in front of a research poster attached to a beige panel
Research & Evaluation

Information, resources, and evaluation for NCSS research projects.

Read More

The National Center for START Services® aims to improve the lives of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs by developing innovative training, conducting research, and implementing the START model in communities across North America.