START Services
Welcome to Community Bridges: Empowering Families with NH START Services
At Community Bridges, we’re proud to offer the innovative START service model throughout the Granite State. START—short for Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resource, and Treatment—was first developed in 1988 by Dr. Joan B. Beasley and her team in Massachusetts. This unique service model provides crucial support for individuals ages six and up who face developmental disabilities alongside mental or behavioral health challenges. With many states across the U.S. now offering START services, New Hampshire stands as one of the START model pioneers, bringing this life-changing model statewide in 2012.
What Does START Mean to Your Family?
At the heart of Community Bridges is our commitment to supporting individuals and families through every stage of life. We understand that the journey can be challenging, which is why we strive to make NH START services accessible to all who need them.
The NH START model is all about collaboration. We believe in a team approach, where the individual, their family, and any professionals involved actively engage in the treatment planning process. This ensures that everyone’s voice is heard, and the services provided are tailored to meet the unique needs of each person enrolled.
Through NH START, individuals and families have a say in which supports are most helpful, ensuring that the services are personalized, practical, and effective.
Immediate Help When You Need It Most
What sets NH START apart is its ability to offer timely, short-term services that work alongside ongoing care, especially during times of crisis. When your loved one is in need, a START coordinator will be there to help the treatment team navigate the best outcome—remember, your family is an essential part of this team—to assess, plan, and prevent mental or behavioral health crises. Crisis planning is a core component of NH START and is provided to every individual enrolled in the program.
At Community Bridges, we go a step further by collaborating with other service providers, alleviating the stress and uncertainty of navigating mental health resources on your own. We support you in finding the right resources and creating a seamless experience for your family.
At Community Bridges, we believe everyone deserves the support they need to thrive. NH START services are available to individuals across New Hampshire who are eligible for Area Agency waivered services (Developmental Disability, In Home Support, or Participant Managed & Directed Services) and experience mental or behavioral health challenges. If you're age 6 or older and navigating these challenges, NH START can provide the help you need to succeed.
We know that every person and family is unique, which is why we take a person-centered approach to our services. Our first step is to meet with you and your family for an intake assessment, where we learn about your needs and goals. From there, we work quickly and thoughtfully to create a plan tailored to support the individual in the most effective way possible.
Our START Coordinators are at the heart of this process. They collaborate closely with treatment teams to create a Cross-Systems Crisis Plan—a proactive strategy that helps prevent crises and guides teams in responding effectively when they arise. This type of planning is crucial for many families, providing peace of mind and a clear path forward.
To ensure we’re providing the best support, Community Bridges and NH START staff receive ongoing professional development. NH START Coordinators are credentialed, needing to successfully complete a national certification and to maintain that credential in order to continue their practice. We regularly attend training sessions led by experts in intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health. These range from online workshops to in-person consultations, all aimed at keeping us at the forefront of the latest practices and knowledge. We also have access to the National Center for START Services, which allows us to continuously expand our expertise and strengthen our ability to serve your family. By staying up-to-date with the newest developments, we’re better equipped to support you during challenging times.
NH START offers a Clinical Program where each eligible individual receives a customized START plan, designed with care and expertise by our dedicated START Coordinators. The plan focuses on Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Respite, and Treatment options, ensuring that every aspect of the individual’s needs is addressed.
Here are some of the critical services provided by our clinical team:
- Cross-Systems Crisis and Intervention Planning – Preparing for and responding to potential crises.
- Comprehensive Service Evaluations – Assessing the full spectrum of an individual’s needs.
- Clinical Education and Training – Helping teams stay informed and prepared.
- Specialized IDD/MH Consultation – Expert advice for addressing both intellectual and mental health challenges.
- Positive Identity Development – Focusing on strength-based, positive psychology approaches.
- Multidisciplinary Evaluations – Collaborative assessments, including those from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
- Linkage Agreements – Building connections between community organizations and NH START services to broaden support.
At Community Bridges, our goal is simple: to provide compassionate, holistic care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities alongside mental health concerns. We partner with you every step of the way, offering the support and expertise needed to help you and your family thrive.
Since its opening in July 2014, the START Center has provided essential services to adults with intellectual disabilities and a dual diagnosis of mental health needs. These services included therapeutic support, medication management, and collaboration with specialized clinical providers.
As the needs of the disability community have evolved, and after careful consideration, we have decided to transition the START home into a permanent residence for individuals who require long-term therapeutic support. As part of this transition, the resource center closed its doors to respite stays on August 29, 2025.
We deeply value the contributions that each staff member has made to the program and the individuals we serve. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in the success of the START Resource Center. We are grateful for their commitment and contributions to improving the lives of those we support.
