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New Research Opportunity
Seeks Experiences From the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Melanie Hecker, MPA
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In the spring of 2020, our society came to a standstill. Previous research has already demonstrated how the isolation, fear, and uncertainty of the pandemic resulted in demonstratively large increases in depression and anxiety across the United States. Separate but equally important research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused Americans to delay seeking help for physical and mental health conditions. Some may have chosen to delay care due to fears of contracting the virus or taking up vital hospital space, while others may have been turned away because hospitals simply did not have any more room.
Given these findings, the National Center for START Services Research Team wants to know:
- How the pandemic affected the mental health of people with IDD
- If families and caregivers of people with IDD could not or chose not to access psychiatric emergency rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Any alternatives to psychiatric emergency rooms that families and caregivers of people with IDD may have utilized
I am a Research and Training Associate at the Center for START Services and am particularly interested in this topic due to my passion for mental health service accessibility and desire to prepare our emergency service systems for the next pandemic. As an autistic adult and lifelong policy advocate, I believe it is important for people like me to not only be involved in research but also to take leadership roles. We are the only ones who truly know what is in our heads, as well as the only ones who truly know what it is like to be us. I believe my leadership in this project and others sets an example for other IDD research institutions to follow. Research institutions are often hesitant to involve people with IDD in their work, but I hope my study will prove that involvement of people with lived experiences is something that should be sought after, not feared.
Our main research instrument is a 10-15-minute survey. We are looking for caregivers (both family members and paid caregivers) of people with IDD and co-occurring mental health challenges to volunteer to complete this survey.
The survey can be found at https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6eTOVclboTz7JUW
If you have any questions about our study, please contact Melanie Hecker at melanie.hecker@unh.edu.
Please download this flyer and share with members of your community and network that may want to participate in this research study
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What Does Dr. MLK Jr. Day Mean to You?
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With Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day fast approaching, we are curious how the START Network uses his example as a call to action.
What does Dr. MLK Jr. Day mean to you?
Please take 5 minutes to share- there are no wrong answers & creativity is encouraged! Your contributions will be shared in an upcoming edition of News & Views.
Did you know? MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities
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Upcoming Professional Development Courses
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Course for Direct Support Professionals
Next Course Begins February 1, 2022
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"This course offers the content I need to do my job and the many facets of one’s life we must always consider.” - Participant
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This live, 6-session course gives Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to provide individuals with IDD and mental health service needs (IDD-MH) positive, person-centered, strengths and wellness-based supports and services. The course facilitators will demonstrate how the information reviewed during session can be applied in the day-to-day support of people with IDD-MH.
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"DSPs are the backbone that hold individuals & families up in hard times and promote success every step of the way. Well-trained DSPs provide higher quality, individualized services that support individuals to live their best possible lives.”
-Program Director, Supervisor, Former DSP
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Who should participate?
- Direct Support Professionals (both MH and IDD)
- Functional Support Specialists (both MH and IDD)
- Residential/AFL/home care providers & staff
- Day habilitation & residential supervisors
Registration is $149 per person and participants receive University of New Hampshire Continuing Education Units and a Certificate of Completion for MHIDD Training for Direct Support Professionals.
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Course for Care Coordinators & Case Managers
Next course begins March 14, 2022
The course consists of 6 weekly, live sessions via Zoom. The weekly instructional session is 75 minutes immediately followed by a 30-minute discussion session. Session topics include guiding principles & approaches to effective MH-IDD case management; mental health aspects of IDD; understanding the service needs of people with MH-IDD; working with families; systemic engagement; & leadership.
Who should participate?
- Managed Care Organization (MCO) Care Coordinators
- Case managers/Service coordinators
- Case management/service coordination supervisors & directors
- Program managers & training managers/coordinators
- Intake & intervention support specialists
Registration is $299 per person and participants receive University of New Hampshire Continuing Education Units and a Certificate of Completion for MHIDD Training for Care Coordinators & Case Managers.
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Course for Mobile Crisis Responders
Next course begins May 24th, 2022
This live 6-week online course offers the expert training and support needed to develop expertise in providing effective crisis supports to people with intellectual/developmental disability and mental health needs (MH/IDD). Topics address best practices in crisis assessment, response strategies, and disposition recommendations.
Who should participate?
- Mobile Crisis Responders, Clinicians & Supervisors
- Mental Health and/or IDD Case Managers /Service Coordinators
- Emergency Services Clinicians
Registration is $149 per person and participants can receive University of New Hampshire Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a Certificate of Completion for MHIDD Mobile Crisis Response Training.
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New Open Positions at the Center for START Services
Quality Assurance Project Coordinator
This position will report directly to the Director of Research and Quality Assurance and will be responsible for working on projects assigned by the director, including but not limited to program evaluation, training, and research activities as assigned. Learn more and apply
Senior Program Support Assistant
Under broad supervision of the Center for START Services Director of Operations, this position will include a variety of diverse program administrative responsibilities, using significant independent judgment in supporting day-to-day CSS operations, policies and procedures, maintain confidentiality, and coordination of national network of START services. Learn more and apply
Senior Program Support Assistant - Operations
Under the broad supervision of Center for START Services (CSS) Director of Operations this individual is responsible for a variety of program activities, using significant independent judgment in managing day-to-day scheduling, providing operations support, tracking of various work activities, and assisting with the maintenance of policies and procedures. The position requires maintaining confidentiality, and overall support in the coordination of the national network of START programs. Learn more and apply
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Denver START Program
Denver, Colorado | Rocky Mountain Human Services
Use the links below to learn about each open position.
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Have a healthy and happy week,
The Center for START Services
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