The Denver START program at RMHS provides accessible and timely crisis mental health care for Denver children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) when it is needed most.
Children and adults with I/DD often experience misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed mental health or behavioral challenges. This lack of understanding can make it hard for individuals to get the care they need.
Timely mental health crisis prevention and intervention for children, youth, and adults with I/DD when it is needed most.
Denver START Provides:
- Access to START-certified team members with unique experience in the mental health aspects of I/DD
- 24/7 crisis prevention and intervention
- Coordinated care and assistance for the individual, their family, and their service providers
- Person and family-centered approach
- Cultural humility and competency
- Training and support to build community capacity to meet mental health needs for people with I/DD.
Program Eligibility
The Denver START program is available to residents in the city and county of Denver who are ages 6 and older with both a documented I/DD and mental health challenges that result in either a mental health crisis or risk of crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes a crisis for Denver START services?
A crisis is a problem that relates to an individual’s I/DD and/or mental health when they don’t have the tools to resolve it. Crisis situations can include:
- Aggressive or unsafe behaviors
- Decreased ability to complete daily functions
- Sudden changes in behavior that impact safety or stability to oneself or others
- Suicide ideation
- Risk of losing host home placement
- Frequent hospitalizations due to mental health symptoms
- Need for diagnostic evaluation or a treatment plan
What counts as a qualifying Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) for Denver START services?
To qualify for Denver START services, a person must meet the state of Colorado’s definition of an Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD). This includes three main criteria:
- The disability was present before age 22
The condition must have started early in life.
- Low intellectual functioning
This usually means having an IQ of around 70 or below on a standardized intelligence test.
- Significant challenges with everyday life skills
The person must have serious difficulties in at least two of the following areas, shown by scores on a standardized adaptive behavior test:
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- Communication
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- Self-care
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- Home living
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- Social skills
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- Use of community resources
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- Making decisions and self-direction
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- Health and safety
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- Basic academic skills
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- Leisure activities
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- Work skills
If someone has autism spectrum disorder, do they automatically qualify for the Denver START Program?
Not automatically. While a diagnosis of ASD can qualify someone for the program, it depends on whether the diagnosis meets Colorado’s definition of an Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD).
To qualify, the condition must:
- Have started before age 22
- Be expected to last throughout the person’s life
- Cause major challenges in at least three of these areas:
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- Self-care
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- Understanding and using language
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- Learning
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- Moving around
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- Making decisions and directing their own life
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- Living independently
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- Earning a living
What kind of documentation is needed to demonstrate eligibility?
To determine I/DD eligibility, the Denver START Program typically requires comprehensive documentation, which may include:
- Psychological evaluations, including IQ testing
- Adaptive behavior assessments
- Medical records and diagnostic reports
- Educational records (if applicable)
What happens after someone is found eligible for Denver START services?
Once eligible, the individual will be assigned a START Coordinator who will:
- Meet with the individual in the community to provide ongoing support
- Complete assessments to guide next steps
- Provide access to the 24/7 crisis line (available only to those eligible for START)
Denver START will continue working with the individual and their support network for as long as needed to help them reach stability.
Submit a Referral
Referrals can be made by anyone including individuals, families, providers, schools, or law enforcement.
To submit a referral to access the program, please complete our online form, or email us at start@rmhumanservices.org.
The National START Model
The START program, which stands for Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment, is new to Denver, but is a nationally recognized model with a rich history of success. Developed in 1988, the National START model aims to improve diagnosis and treatment, support effective services, create service linkages, promote health and wellness, and decrease the need for emergency services in regards to the mental health of individuals with I/DD.
In 2021, RMHS engaged in a competitive contract selection process with Denver Human Services (DHS), ultimately winning the contract to develop a local START program. Denver START is funded by local taxpayer dollars through DHS’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Equitable Access to Services (IDDEAS) program.
Contact Denver START
For questions about the program or making a referral:
Email: START@rmhumanservices.org
Phone: 303-636-5600 (Option 8)
