START at Sandhill
Short-Term Assessment and Recommendations Track
“START at Sandhill” is a program designed to provide a 3-month assessment period for children, aimed at determining the necessity of longer-term treatment or the feasibility of supporting the child at home with wrap-around services. The program involves several key components:
- Initiation Phase (Month 1): Focuses on understanding the child and family dynamics. It includes weekly therapy sessions for the family and individual therapy for the child. A Master Treatment Plan (MTP) and initial functional brain metric are developed. If needed, neuropsychological testing is scheduled within the first 6 weeks. The START Coordinator updates the referral source weekly and begins discussing support options for the child.
- Implementation Phase (Month 2): Emphasizes applying insights from the initial assessments to observe what interventions work best for the child. The START Coordinator maintains regular communication with the family and referral source. At the end of the month, a comprehensive report is prepared, outlining progress and recommending further actions.
- Planning Phase (Month 3): Focuses on developing a long-term plan based on observations and assessments. Options include ongoing treatment at Sandhill, transitioning to another therapeutic environment, or returning home with wrap-around services. The START Coordinator facilitates communication and decision-making between the family, referral source, and other involved parties.
The program is supported by a multidisciplinary team including a Primary Therapist, Psychiatric Provider, Teacher (during the school year), Milieu Staff, and START Coordinator. The goal is to provide structured support and thorough assessment to guide future treatment decisions tailored to the child’s needs.