Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) is a specialized child welfare service delivery model that has been shown, when implemented with fidelity, to improve outcomes for children and families affected by parental substance use and child maltreatment. The model uses a variety of strategies to promote collaboration and system-level change within and between child welfare agencies, substance use and mental health treatment providers, the judicial system, and other family-serving entities.
START Model Earns “Supported” Rating on PSC!
The Sobriety, Treatment and Recovery Team (START) Model is recognized as a Supported Practice by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse (PSC) for both Substance Use Programs and Services and In-Home Parent Skill-Based Program and Services.
National Reach
Proven Results
Prevention
of children were less likely to enter out of home placement than children from a matched comparison group
Permanency
of children remained with or were reunified with their parent
Parental Recovery
of mothers had higher rates of sobriety and early recovery than a matched comparison group
Return on Investment
of out-of-home cost savings for every $1.00 spent on START
*View START Outcomes for full citations
Testimonials
“[START] turned me around for the better, for the long haul; it wasn’t just temporary, it was life-changing, for the rest of my life.”
“They [START] weren’t discriminating against us… they were trying to keep us together. I knew that for once I needed to finish what I started.”
