*  START Services NJ - Crisis & Behavior Supports, Family Support

 START Services NJ - Crisis & Behavior Supports, Family Support

Crisis Prevention and Response

Providing crisis prevention and response for people (ages 21 and older) with intellectual/developmental disabilities who present with complex behavioral and mental health needs in specific New Jersey counties.

Services Include: Crisis mitigation techniques, Crisis response systems support, Clinical consultation, Education and training, Psychoeducation and Therapeutic coaching—in-home support services.

START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, & Treatment) Services NJ is a proactive, consultative program aimed to mitigate psychiatric emergency and inpatient hospitalization for people who are at-risk. Using a systemic approach, START Services NJ engages with community partners and other stakeholders to provide linkages in the community, psychoeducation, and other trainings to enhance the quality of life for the people and their systems of care.

START Services NJ is a short-term, 12-18 month program targeted for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who have significant behavioral and/or mental health needs. START Services NJ practices are delivered by multi-disciplinary teams providing personalized, intensive, time-limited consultative services to enrolled individuals.  START Services NJ does not replace or duplicate DDD services currently offered in the community. START Services NJ is available to provide support to people living at home with their families as well as those who reside in residential programs.
START Services NJ aims to create a network better equipped to be able to respond to crisis needs by providing community-based, person-centered supports that enable a person to remain in their home or community residence. 

* For more information, please visit the National Center for START Services® | Institute on Disability(opens in a new tab)

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for START Services NJ, the referred person must be:

• 21 years of age or older
• Eligible for NJ DDD services
• A resident in one of the following NJ counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem.

Referrals can be submitted by attaching the completed form and emailing to [email protected]

For more information please call the START Services NJ offices at 929.561.5689.

The Arc of New Jersey Health Care Advocacy

The Arc of New Jersey's Health Care Advocacy Program promotes quality health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout New Jersey. 

Submit a Problem Form

Are you a caregiver, individual, or professional who needs help navigating the system? Are you having difficulties with Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, or a healthcare issue? The Arc of New Jersey Health Care Advocacy program is here to help! Click here to fill out one of our problem forms so that we may better assist you.

Virtual Office Hours

Register here! Available on Mondays from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.

Office hours provide an opportunity to meet with Connor Griffin, Director of Health Care Advocacy, regarding healthcare questions or other related concerns. Appointment slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be limited to 20 minutes, as needed, to accommodate more people.

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Transitioning From Pediatric to Adult Healthcare

Got Transition, a federally funded resource, helps young adults with disabilities and their families and clincians as young people transition from pediatric to adult health care.  The website's tools and resources provide a powerful roadmap with an eye toward better health outcomes and family and patient satisfaction.

Click here to learn more