MCSTART

Each year more than 800 Monterey County children are born at risk for problems as a result of exposure to alcohol and other drugs before birth. The problems create multiple challenges for children, from developmental delays and difficulties to emotional, behavioral and neurological problems that diminish a child’s ability to socialize effectively. The urgency is underscored by the fact that early identification and intervention must occur before the age of six if we are to help these children reach their full potential.
A Comprehensive System To Meet the Challenge  The mission of MCSTART (Monterey County Screening Team for Assessment Referral, and Treatment) is to provide a comprehensive system of community resources to identify, assess, refer and treat children who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol and other drugs. The program closes a critical gap in the previous system of care and both compliments and supplements all efforts to meet the needs of high-risk children and their families.
To achieve and sustain the mission, policy has been developed to provide the structure, coordination and oversight necessary for the program. Operationally, MCSTART includes prenatal prevention and intervention for children affected by perinatal exposure. The effectiveness of the program will be measured by updating data on the prevalence of the problem and providing ongoing data collection and analysis to measure outcomes.

MCSTART