News

November 16th, 2023: The Memphis TN START team hosted Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about biological factors that contribute to crisis for the IDD population.

November 15th, 2023: TN START Director met with the Tennessee Hospital Association’s behavioral health and psychiatric members to share program information and discuss gaps and barriers in their experience pertaining to individuals with IDD.

November 14th, 2023: Dr. Joan Beasley provided an overview of the START model on DIDD’s Clinical Consultation Network. Dr. Beasley is the founder of the START model and current Research Professor and Director of the National Research Consortium in IDD-MH at the NCSS University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability. The episode will be uploaded soon to the  CCN Special Editions Playlist

October 26th, 2023: The Chattanooga TN START team hosted Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about epilepsy and IDD.

October 10th, 2023: TN START had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Joan Beasley who provided a training outlining the purpose and TN START’s role in the national research study: “Evaluation of Telehealth Services on Mental Health Outcomes for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.” Dr. Beasley is the principal investigator for the study and current Research Professor and Director of the National Research Consortium in IDD-MH at the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability.

September 28th, 2023: The Nashville TN START team hosted Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about psychopharmacology.

August 24th, 2023: The Knoxville TN START team hosted Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about diagnostic overshadowing.

July 27th, 2023: The Jackson TN START team hosted Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about sensory differences.

June 22nd, 2023: The Memphis TN START team hosted  Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about BPD, Self-Injurious Behavior, & IDD

May 25th, 2023: The Chattanooga TN START team hosted  Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Increased Risk of Crisis & IDD. 

April 27th, 2023: The Nashville TN START team hosted more than thirty TN START Community Partners gathered with staff today for their monthly Clinical Education Team event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Self-Injurious Behavior & IDD. 

April 24th, 2023: TN START Advisory Council meeting held. National Center for Start Services Year-End Summary. 

March 23rd, 2023: The Knoxville TN START team hosted  Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Epilepsy and its commonality in the ID population. 

February 23rd, 2023: The Jackson TN START team hosted  Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Increase Vulnerability & Risk for Crisis. 

January 26th, 2023: The Memphis TN START team hosted several community partners at a Clinical Education Team (CET) event. The network participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Biopsychosocial Vulnerabilities
& Trauma.

January 2nd, 2023: TN START was featured in a news story on WKRN centered around creating emergency room protocols for behavioral and mental health needs. 

2022

December 15th, 2022: The Chattanooga TN START team hosted a successful and well-attended Clinical Education Team Event (CET). Over 40 community partners participated including hospitals, CIT officers, residential providers, and clinicians from several local organizations. The network of community partners participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about PERMA+. 

December 9th, 2022: TN START was featured in a news story on FOX17 centered around creating emergency room protocols for behavioral and mental health needs. 

November 28th, 2022: ​24/7 Crisis Response for those enrolled in TN START is now active in all 5 regions statewide.

November 17th, 2022: The Nashville TN START team hosted Clinical Education Team Event (CET) at TriStar Skyline. The network of community partners participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Grief and IDD. 

November 11th, 2022: Director of Behavioral Health & Crisis Services and TN START AST Clinical Director, Michelle Bagby, M.A., LBA, BCBA presented at The Arc National Convention: Redefining Possibility: State Government as an Architect of HCBS Innovation. The session described innovative programs created by the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to help people with IDD experience greater independence and quality of life at home, at work, and in their communities. Highlights included enabling technology solutions, investments in provider capacity, and implementation of TN START, a community-based crisis prevention and intervention program. 

November 1st, 2022: TN START’s Chattanooga team presented “Positive Psychology and PERMA: More Meaning, Motivation, and Resiliency Every Day” on the Clinical Consultation Network. Click here to watch this episode. https://youtu.be/8oMDoXuStHM

November 1st, 2022: With the launch of the MAPs program, MAPs enrollees become eligible for TN START services. 

October 26th, 2022: TN START’s Knoxville region hosted Clinical Education Team Event (CET).  

September 22nd, 2022: The Jackson TN START team hosted Clinical Education Team Event (CET). The network of community partners participated in reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Trauma , Psychosis & Dementia Considerations

August 25th, 2022: TN START’s Memphis region hosted Clinical Education Team Event (CET). TN START’s partners attended to network and build capacity by reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about IDD, Trauma and PTSD.

July 28th, 2022: TN START’s Chattanooga region hosted Clinical Education Team Event (CET). TN START’s partners attended to network and build capacity by reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

July 21st, 2022: TN START turns one! In our first year, TN START has received 250+ referrals and enrolled 117 persons into services. 24/7 Crisis Response has responded to 298 crisis calls and were able to stabilize the person in their community setting in 80-90% of the time. TN START staff have conducted 84 trainings for partner agencies.

July 14th, 2022: TN START debuts a video highlighting the impact of our work.

For years, Jackie felt like she didn't have anyone to call when she needed support the most. Not even 9-1-1.  Now with the TN START program,  she has a team of experts around her that are invested in her daughter's well-being and happiness. Click here to watch Jadyne and Jackie tell their story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpoQQn7nOq8

June 23rd, 2022: TN START’s Nashville region hosted Clinical Education Team Event (CET). TN START’s partners attended to network and build capacity by reviewing a de-identified case presentation and learning about Therapeutic Strategies & the Importance of PERMA.

May 26th, 2022: TN START hosted its first Clinical Education Team Event (CET) in Knoxville. CET’s occur monthly and rotate through TN START’s five regions. CETs include a brief de-identified case presentation and didactic training pertaining to a theme from the case. In our first CET participants learned about diagnostic clarification between post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and  complex trauma. TN START’s partners, law enforcement, mental health/crisis providers, and DIDD providers are invited to attend. CET’s allow for networking and communication within each region to build the capacity of the system to enhance supports for individuals with IDD and co-occurring behavioral or mental health needs. Check the training calendar to register.

May 12th, 2022: TN START debuts a video highlighting our work. Click here to watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWrJAXCcsg8&t=2s

TN START AST Launches Phase 2

TN START AST will be launching Phase 2 of its roll out on March 31st, 2022. Transitioning from Phase 1 to Phase 2 will allow for increased TN START caseloads, as well as expanding eligibility for TN START to those currently enrolled in other IDD medicaid waiver services (e.g. Katie Beckett and ICF waivers). Phase, referral information and the link to the Form Stack Referral Form are available in the “Contact & Referral” section of the TN START website.

Phase 2 also launches TN START’s Clinical Education Team events (CET). CETs will occur monthly and rotate through TN START’s five regions. CET’s will be held in-person and lunch will be provided to attendees. CETs will include a brief de-identified case presentation and didactic training pertaining to a theme from the case. TN START’s partners, law enforcement, mental health/crisis providers, and DIDD providers are all invited to attend CETs in their region. This will allow for networking and communication within each region to build the capacity of the system to enhance supports for individuals with IDD and co-occurring behavioral or mental health needs. If you are not a TN START partner and would like to be included on invitations to CETs in your region, please complete a training request here

For more information about TN START AST or becoming a TN START AST partner, visit www.tn.gov/didd/ast

March 18th, 2022: Phase 2 implementation date coming soon!!

February 10th, 2022: TN START received its 150th referral!

February 9 – 11th, 2022: TN START was honored to host NCSS Associate Director, Dr. Karen Weigle & Associate Project Facilitator, Alyce Benson, LCSW in Nashville. Planning meetings were held with TN START leadership & the statewide TN START Team traveled to Nashville for in-person training.  

January 24th, 2022: First TN START AST Advisory Council Meeting of 2022 Held

  • The Meeting Agenda included:
    • TN START AST Advisory Council Mission Review
    • National Center for START Services Annual Update
    • TN START AST Operations Update
    • TN START Service Outcomes for Quarter 2
    • TN START AST Review Phased Roll-In Plan for Therapeutic Respites & Harold Jordan Center

 

January 11th, 2022: NCSS Associate Director, Dr. Karen Weigle & TN START Clinical Director, Michelle Bagby, presented on the START model & TN START program on the National Council on Severe Autism’s Webinar: Crisis in Crisis Care. The presentation can be viewed here: https://www.ncsautism.org/crisis-in-crisis-care

November 10th, 2021: TN START provided an update on operations and Customer Focused Government outcomes for the first quarter to the Statewide Planning & Policy Committee

November 9th, 2021: TN START received its 100th referral!

November 1st, 2021: TN START was presented to the Governor as part of the DIDD Budget Hearing. You can view the hearing at the following link. TN START is discussed around the 7 minute mark:

https://sts.streamingvideo.tn.gov/Mediasite/Channel/mediasiteadmin-tn-budget-hearingsfy2022-2023/watch/84b65d73716a4266b4589288a3519cc61d

October 25th, 2021: Fourth TN START AST Advisory Council Meeting Held

  • The Meeting Agenda included:
    • TN START AST Advisory Council Mission Review
    • TN START AST Operations Updates
    • TN START AST Customer Focused Government Outcomes
    • TN START AST Advisory Council Roundtable
  • Next Steps Identified:
    • TN START AST will explore ways to increase legislative and judicial awareness and support.
    • TN START AST will develop video or written testimonials sharing how the program has benefited others to educate systems in understanding the program and its benefits.
    • TN START AST will continue systems debriefings to communicate what is working or not working within the system and with partnerships.

September 15th, 2021: TN START AST met with all 13 Mobile Crisis Providers to provide an update on operations and our partnership by re-reviewing how we will work together through each phase of the program.

September 1st and 2nd, 2021: TN START AST was honored to host members of the Center for START Services National Team in Nashville, including: Dr. Joan B. Beasley, Director of the Center for START Services, Dr. Karen L. Weigle, Associate Director of the Center for START Services, and Alyce Benson, Associate Project Facilitator for the Center for START Services. Several events occurred to move our systemic vision forward during these two days including meetings with the Council on Developmental Disabilities, community providers, the TN-START AST statewide team, respite providers and the Harold Jordan Center, DIDD Commissioner Brad Turner, and DIDD regional clinicians.  

August 24th, 2021: Over 50 referrals to TN START have been received and more than half have been assigned a TN START Coordinator.

August 18th, 2021:

  • The TN START Clinical Director & representatives from three therapeutic respite facilities & the Harold Jordan Center toured and met with staff from the NC START Resource Center in Statesville, North Carolina. 
  • TN START was featured on WATE Knoxville Local News Station. Click here to see the news story.

July 26th, 2021: Third TN START AST Advisory Council Meeting Held

  • The Meeting Agenda included:
    • Introduction of New or First Time Members
    • TN START AST Advisory Council Welcome & Mission Review
    • TN START AST New Staff Introductions & Updates
    • TN START AST Partnership Updates
    • TN START AST Objectives for Enhancement of HJC & Respite Services
  • Next Steps Identified:
    • TN START AST will present an introduction of the program to the Statewide Autism Council Members
    • TN START AST will distribute objectives for enhancement of HJC & Respite Services to Advisory Council Members for feedback.
    • TN START AST will work with Advisory Council Members to address plain language needs within the TN START AST Referral Form.

July 21st, 2021: TN START AST Official Launch Date. We are now accepting referrals for Phase One. See the Contact & Referral Section of the website for referral information.

July 16th, 2021: TN START AST will begin accepting referrals for Phase One on July 21st, 2021. Referral information and the link to the Form Stack Referral Form will be available in the “Contact & Referral” section of the website.

May 20th, 2021Watch the TN START AST episode of the Clinical Consultation Network that aired on May 11th.

May 11th, 2021: The following outlines the TN START AST Phased Roll Out Plan. The Phased Roll Out Plan was developed in consultation with the Center for START Services and with feedback from the TN START AST Advisory Council. The phased approach will help to ensure that we are able to successfully reach our program objectives and implement the START model with fidelity and proficiency. We are aiming to begin Phase 1 in the next few months. Check back for more info on the official launch date for Phase 1.

May 5th, 2021: Reminder: Join us for a special edition of the Clinical Consultation Network on May 11th at 12:30pm CT via WebEx. The entire TN START team will be joining host, Dr. Bruce Davis, to provide a brief overview of the program, review the brand new phased roll out plan, and introduce you to the TN START team.

April 26th, 2021: Second TN START AST Advisory Council Meeting Held

  • The Meeting Agenda Included:
    • Introduction of New or First Time Members
    • TN START AST Advisory Council Welcome & Mission Review
    • TN START AST New Staff Introductions & Updates
    • TN START AST Partnership Updates
    • TN START AST Phased Roll Out Review & Feedback
    • START System Analysis Update
  • Next Steps Identified:
    • TN START AST will present the Council approved Phased Roll Out plan to stakeholders on the Clinical Consultation Network and on the TN START AST Website.
    • TN START AST will distribute the final START System Analysis Report via email to the Advisory Council for feedback once it is completed. Action steps will be developed accordingly. 

March 26th, 2021:

  • 4 of 5 TN START AST Managers have joined the team as of March 16th and have begun training.
  • 15 of 20 TN START AST Facilitators will join the team by April 5th and will begin training.
  • Interviews will begin soon for the remaining 6 TN START AST positions.
  • We have drafted a phased roll out plan for TN START AST and plan to obtain feedback from stakeholders at the next TN START AST Advisory Council Meeting at the end of April before its release.
  • The entire TN START AST Team will be appearing on the Clinical Consultation Network on May 11th at 12:30pm CT via WebEx. Join us to meet & learn more about each member of TN START AST. 

March 1st, 2021: 21 of the 26 TN START AST positions have been filled. The remaining 5 vacant positions will be re-posted. 

February 19th, 2021 - The decision to explore the addition of another behavior respite location in Knox County is underway based on stakeholder feedback during the TN START AST Advisory Council Meeting.

February 2nd, 2021 – Check out the TN START AST Article on the Tennessee Works Blog

February 1st, 2021 – Interviews are in progress for the TN START AST Positions

January 29th, 2021 – Original TN START Reunion on the Clinical Consultation Network

  • Back in 2004 centralized around the metro-Hamilton County area, the first START program was successfully piloted and paved the way for several START programs in operation nationally today. This special edition of the Clinical Consultation Network reunited key players from the Original TN START team, to share stories and insights from their experiences. Click here to watch the recording: https://youtu.be/M7kdFlTfoyU

January 25th, 2021 – First TN START AST Advisory Council Meeting Held

  • The Meeting Agenda Included:
    • Advisory Council Member Introductions
    • Review of the TN START AST Advisory Council Mission
    • TN START AST Overview & Update 
    • TN START AST Proposed Region Map Review & Feedback
    • START Introductions, Overview of the START Model, System Analysis & Action Plan
  • Next Steps Identified:
    • START & the Advisory Council Members will work together to conduct a system analysis of existing resource centers through stakeholder focus groups across the state.
    • START will provide a report of the findings from stakeholder focus groups and the report and recommendations will be reviewed by the Advisory Council at the next meeting in April.  

January 15, 2021 - Tennessee START Assessment & Stabilization Teams: Where are we now?

  • State and Federal Funding Approved. Grant funding also provided by the Council on Developmental Disabilities.
  • Meeting with crisis and behavioral health entities statewide to:
    • Evaluate the current system & identify gaps for individuals with IDD and behavioral health needs
    • Establish inter-agency partnership agreements
    • Offer IDD training
  • Working with the Center for START Services on program development, training and certification
  • Working to establish and fill 25 AST positions statewide across 5 regions (Nashville, Memphis, Jackson, Chattanooga, Knoxville)
  • Exploring the addition of two behavior respite locations in Memphis and Chattanooga
  • Systemic evaluation and planning for TN START AST Resource Centers
  • Establishing the TN START AST referral process

DIDD & The Center for START Services