The Duke Multi-Modal Evaluation (MME) clinic team was awarded the Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment (START) Network Partner Award in Children’s Services. The award was presented at the 2024 START National Training Institute (SNTI) conference in Philadelphia in May 2024.
This award recognizes a START partner for their significant contribution, in collaboration with a START team, to improving the system of support for children who experience intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and mental health needs. The recipient, which can be an individual or organization, embodies START’s core value of enhancing the capacity of the system.
The Duke MME team includes Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development staff and faculty members Alex Bey, MD, PhD; Richard Chung, MD; Tyler Higgs, PhD; Mary Beth Hooks, LCSW; Shital Patel, MD; and Saritha Vermeer, PhD
“The Duke MME started at one of those most challenging times in our recent history, right before the initial COVID lockdowns. They have been an amazing resource for NC START to have access to these past few years.” – Maggie Robbins and Suzy Mayberry, nominators
NC START is North Carolina’s statewide START program, focused on community crisis prevention and intervention programs for individuals age six and older with IDD and co-occurring complex behavioral and/or mental health needs. The Duke team partners with NC START to provide recommendations and contribute their expertise and time supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in the NC START system.
Nominators Maggie Robbins and Suzy Mayberry of NC START shared in their nomination letter, “Through perseverance, hope, kindness and social intelligence the Duke MME providers work with NC START teams to offer supportive and insightful recommendations that enhance whole person, holistic supports, and care.”
The strength spotting that occurs [during MME sessions] has a lasting impact on the families and persons enrolled. I observed a mother’s face receive positive remarks from the providers and her body relax, giving that breath of oxygen. – Maggie Robbins and Suzy Mayberry