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START Family Caregiver Experiences Research Published
In celebration of Family Caregiver month, the Center for START Services is pleased to share a recent peer reviewed publication on family caregiver experiences published in the journal Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. While the article describes caregiving challenges at the time of referral to START Network programs, studies show that START programs help to improve caregiving experiences and mental health outcomes over time. Families are central to our mission of promoting emotional well-being in the people we support. We celebrate families and continue to strive to improve our efforts to engage and collaborate effectively with family caregivers.
Experiences With the Mental Health Service System of Family Caregivers of Individuals With an Intellectual/Developmental Disability Referred to START.
Holingue, C., Kalb, L. G., Klein, A., & Beasley, J. B.
Abstract
People with IDD frequently have behavioral or mental health needs, but experience obstacles to treatment. Family caregivers are often responsible for coordinating the care of individuals with IDD. This study examined family caregiver experiences using intake data from a national tertiary crisis intervention model designed for people with IDD and mental health needs. Caregivers (n = 488) completed the Family Experiences Interview Schedule. Less than half of families reported satisfaction with the mental health services received. Notable gaps were in crisis, night and weekend services, choice of services and providers, communication and coordination between providers, and specialized training. Experiences were worse for caregiving fathers and individuals with IDD with co-occurring chronic medical conditions.
Conclusion
Ultimately, findings point to the aims of the START program, including the need for timely access to well-trained mental health providers, greater accountability of the system to meet the needs of families and service users, 24-hour mobile crisis support, strength-based and inclusive approaches, as well as cross systems collaboration and linkages.
Full citation: Holingue, C., Kalb, L. G., Klein, A., & Beasley, J. B. (2020). Experiences With the Mental Health Service System of Family Caregivers of Individuals With an Intellectual/Developmental Disability Referred to START. Intellectual and developmental disabilities, 58(5), 379–392. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-58.5.379.
Earlier START publications on family caregiver experiences and outcomes associated with START practices:
Kalb, L.G., Beasley, J., Caoili, A., & Klein, A. (2019). Improvement in mental health outcomes and caregiver service experiences associated with the START program. American Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 124(1), 25-34. DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-124.1.25
Beasley, J.B. (2002). Trends in coordinated and planned mental health service use by people with dual diagnosis. In J. Jacobson, & R. Fletcher (Eds.) Contemporary Dual Diagnosis: MH/MR Service Models, Volume II: Partial and Supportive Services (pp. 35-51). Kingston, NY: NADD.
Beasley, J. (2000). Family Caregiving Part III: Family Assessments of Mental Health Service Experiences of Individuals with Mental Retardation in the Northeast Region of Massachusetts from 1994 to 1998. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 3(3).
Beasley, J. & Kroll, J. (1999). Family Caregiving Part II: Family Caregiver-Professional Collaboration in Crisis Prevention and Intervention. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 2(1), 22-26.
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New CSS Director of Training
CSS is pleased to announce that Beth Grosso is now the Center for START Services' Director of Training. Beth has been with CSS for the past 5 years as our Training Coordinator. As Director of Training Beth will oversee all trainings and professional development opportunities at CSS and oversee our recently expanded Professional Development and Training department. Congratulations Beth!
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Part-Time Employment Opportunity: ASSOCIATE PROJECT FACILITATOR
Center for START Services Associate Project Facilitator is responsible for ongoing consultation and coaching to the assigned START Program as directed by the Lead Project Facilitator. This can include frequent video and phone meetings focused on programmatic and clinical development of the team as well as therapeutic coaching activities. The Associate Project Facilitator works collaboratively with the Lead Facilitator, Document Reviewer, and Director of Quality Assurance and plays a key role in assisting START Programs prepare and train their team members. This position provides training and technical assistance to START programs providing START therapeutic coaching, including but not limited to the provision of START Therapeutic Coaching training groups, manual review and revision, and technical assistance. This is a part-time position (~3 hours per week).
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Professional Development Series
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MHIDD Course for Mobile Crisis Responders
Registration Open for Next Course Beginning on January 5, 2021
Registration is now open for the next MHIDD training course for Mobile Crisis Responders. The course, which spans 6 sessions from January 5 - February 9, 2021, provides an overview of mental health diagnoses in people with IDD, assessment considerations, crisis response, and recommendation/disposition planning. Registration for the course is $149 per person.
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MHIDD Course for Care Coordinators and Case Managers
Registration Open for Next Course Beginning on March 15, 2021
This 6-week online course is designed to improve knowledge for care coordinators and case managers to successfully support children and adults with IDD and mental health service needs and their families. Speakers will include family members and people with lived experiences along with experts in the field. Dr. Joan B. Beasley will demonstrate how the information provided can be applied to improve the ability of care coordinators/case managers to identify service and support needs, and monitor outcomes for individuals and their families. Registration for the course is $299 per person.
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SAVE THE DATE
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Have a happy and healthy weekend,
The Center for START Services
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