Sedgwick County staff told commissioners they are moving forward with a grant-funded pilot to implement the START model—a team-based, evidence-based approach for people experiencing co-occurring intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental-health crises—and recommended an affiliation agreement covering 14 local IDD providers.

The pilot will be funded with CDDO grant money that staff said was provided by "Paydads" to support local implementation. "The START model is an evidence based practice that helps address individuals who are experiencing intellectual developmental disability and a mental health[ ] crisis," staff member Tim said during the meeting. The county is working with the National Center for START Services to train local teams and develop system supports so those individuals are less likely to ‘‘fall through the cracks’’ during crises.

Separately, staff presented an affiliation agreement that would formalize relationships with 14 local providers that deliver IDD services. The list of the 14 providers is included in the meeting backup materials; commissioners were directed to page 84 for the full list. Staff described the two items—the START pilot and the affiliation agreement—as related steps to strengthen the county’s crisis response and provider network.

No formal vote or motion on the START pilot or the affiliation agreement was recorded in the transcript. Staff said the county has discussed the items in internal meetings and is preparing implementation steps, including training and coordination with the National Center for START Services.

Commissioners asked no substantive questions on the record; staff characterized the actions as the next steps in a planned effort to improve local supports for people with IDD who also experience mental-health crises. Staff also noted the funding source in the meeting backup as CDDO grant funds provided by "Paydads," and that the county is still working through implementation logistics.