New York
Annual Program Evaluations
What is NYSTART?
NYSTART is an initiative of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) that provides community-based crisis prevention and response services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who present with behavioral and mental health needs. START stands for Systemic, Therapeutic Assessment, Resources and Treatment. “Systemic” means that the entire circle, or system, of services and care is addressed. “Therapeutic Assessment” means that skilled clinicians evaluate and assess individuals to understand their therapeutic needs. “Resources” means that based on clinical assessment, completed by the NYSTART team, some individuals enrolled in services may need additional resources such as a short-term stay at a Therapeutic NYSTART Resource Center or in home support provided by a NYSTART counselor. “Treatment” refers to the services an individual receives to improve their crisis situation, these can include, but are not limited to counseling, staff/caregiver training, recreational activities, medication review, and skill-building activities.
Who is eligible for NYSTART?
NYSTART services are available to individuals age 6 or over who have intellectual and developmental disabilities who present with behavioral and mental health concerns. An OPWDD eligibility determination is required in order to receive the full array of NYSTART services. Services are provided based on clinical assessment and individual needs. Further information on OPWDD eligibility can be found on the OPWDD website at the following link: https://opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_services_supports/eligibility.
Who can make a referral and what is the process?
Referrals can be made by, but are not limited to, individuals, families, service providers, hospitals, psychiatric centers and other crisis services. Contact information for operational NYSTART teams can be found online at: http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/ny-start/regional-start-liaisons-contact-list.
Contact Information
| Region | Counties Served | Phone | Agency/Provider |
| Region 1 |
Finger Lakes: Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Western NY: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans |
1-844-567-8278 | Arc of Chemung |
| Region 2 |
Broome: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins Central New York: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego Sunmount: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, St. Lawrence |
TBD | |
| Region 3 |
Capital District: Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, Washington Hudson Valley: Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester Taconic: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Ulster |
NY State OPWDD | |
| Region 4 | Metro: Bronx, Manhattan, Queens |
212-273-6300 |
YAI |
| Region 4 | Kings (Brooklyn) and Richmond (Staten Island) |
646-565-5890 |
SUS |
| Region 5 | Long Island: Nassau, Suffolk | FREE |
Additional Resources
- NY START Website
- NY START Brochure
- Eligibility FAQs
- Eligibility Process for OPWDD Services
- Guide to OPWDD Eligibility Assessment Resources
