TN START launched in July of 2021 as a statewide mental health service in Tennessee for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In its first year, TN START worked to evaluate the current system and build the capacity to support individuals with mental health needs. TN START provided over 84 trainings across the state about TN START services, gaps in the system, and education surrounding mental health and IDD. TN START also developed a one-page reference for Emergency Rooms for supporting individuals with IDD and began offering ongoing IDD and mental health training via Clinical Education Team events. In the first year, 117 individuals were enrolled in the program and began receiving assessment and stabilization planning as well as 24/7 crisis response. Of the 298 crisis calls received in year one, TN START was able to stabilize the individual in their community setting and avoid other emergency service use over 80% of the time.
For families like Jackie and Jadyne Kancir (image above), those numbers aren’t just impressive, they are life-changing. Jackie is Jadyne’s mother and primary caregiver. She describes her daughter’s diagnosis by saying, “our kids typically have intellectual disabilities, hypotonia, seizure disorders, severe behaviors, a whole slew of challenges.” Prior to the creation of TN START, during crisis situations, law enforcement would bring Jadyne to the emergency room, where they’d often put her in the psychiatric ward. In late 2022, the protocol for handling cases like Jadyne’s changed, thanks to TNSTART. Now, when Jadyne does experience a crisis, instead of law enforcement showing up, the response is TNSTART community-based intervention instead. It’s a model of consistency – every single time Jackie and Jadyne call, it’s one of the same four people who answer. Those four know Jadyne’s case, her personality, and solutions on how to support her best. Since enrolling in TN START, Jadyne has yet to go to the hospital for a crisis, and Jackie has become an advocate for the program that changed their lives.
TN START is a collaboration between the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) and the National Center for START Services. START stands for Systematic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment and is a comprehensive model of service supports that optimizes independence, treatment, and community living. TN START provides prevention and stabilization through crisis response, stabilization planning, training and education, consultation, and formalized partnerships system wide.
TN START is currently in phase two of a five-phase roll out and is serving over 150 people. 24/7 crisis response for those enrolled is available statewide and TN START has responded to over 500 calls, maintaining the person in their community setting over 80% of the time. DIDD, TN START leadership, and the Advisory Council are actively evaluating programmatic needs to continue through the phased plan and provide a much-needed service to meet community needs. TN START will continue to evaluate the support and education needs of the system as a whole and work together with its partners to build capacity and understanding of IDD and mental health. Systemic analysis and change are needed to ensure people have access to person-centered and appropriate services and treatment to address mental health needs. While TN START is working to identify and develop solutions for the gaps and needs within the current system, it is critical that all parts of the system come together to also understand and address what is behind the need.
Visit the TN START website to learn more and stay up to date on programmatic news.