Full-Time

Start Coordinator

Updated on 9/4/2026

Yai

Yai

51-200 employees

Special education school with integrated therapies

Compensation Overview

$80k/yr

Santa Maria, CA, USA

In Person

Regular travel across assigned regions is required, with occasional travel to other regions or states.

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Social & Community Services (1)
Required Skills
HIPAA

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Requirements
  • A Master's degree in Mental Health, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or another Human Service field, or a satisfactory combination of education, experience, and training authorized by START/NCSS or an appropriate state regulatory agency; all START Coordinators must have at least a bachelor's degree in a human services discipline.
  • At least two years of experience working with the intellectual and developmental disabilities population and/or behavioral health needs, unless an authorized satisfactory combination of education, experience, and training applies.
  • Successful completion of START Coordinator Certification training within 12 months of appointment, including demonstration of competencies in all associated areas.
  • Ability to provide regularly recurring on-call coverage for crisis services beyond regular work hours, including weekdays, weekends, evenings, and overnight coverage on a 24/7 basis as required.
  • Ability to travel regularly across assigned regions for in-person assessments, evaluations, and visits, and occasionally travel to other regions or states for NCSS meetings or events.
  • Ability to meet the essential physical demands of the position, including walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, lifting, carrying, and transporting items weighing up to 25 pounds, and implementing crisis intervention plans, which may include running.
  • Ability to work with complex systems and an interest in the population.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
  • Independent and organized, with strong communication and writing skills.
  • Highly flexible and willing to take initiative.
  • For assignments in California, a valid driver's license is required.
Responsibilities
  • Maintain an active caseload of up to 20–25 individuals referred for START Services and provide systemic consultation based on assessment and outreach findings, using ecomaps and best practices and escalating concerns to the supervisor or Clinical or Medical Director.
  • Conduct regular outreach visits to individuals' homes, day settings, and vocational settings, as applicable, to complete evaluations and assessments through in-person and/or telehealth visits.
  • Assist with consultation and treatment referrals, including screening for START enrollment, completing intake assessments within applicable timelines, and making referrals to the clinical team, Medical or Clinical Director, or Resource Center.
  • Coordinate support meetings and crisis-plan development for individuals served through START using the START Action Plan, and coordinate responses with the Medical and/or Clinical Director while escalating concerns to the START clinical team.
  • Develop Comprehensive Service Evaluations, Cross-Systems Crisis Prevention and Intervention Plans, intake and assessment documentation, intervention and outcome plans for the START Therapeutic Coaching Program, Resource Center admissions and discharges, and other applicable service documentation.
  • Participate in recurring consultation, staff, and other meetings with START leadership, the clinical team, and the START Therapeutic Coaching Program.
  • Provide on-call support on a regularly scheduled rotational basis as part of the START team.
  • Complete and maintain documentation, paperwork, and records on a timely basis, including resolution of concerns and incident reporting.
  • Enter required data into the START Information Reporting System and other appropriate systems in a timely and contemporaneous manner, as required by the state.
  • Conduct regular outreach with community partners to maintain linkages and relationships.
  • Develop materials and present at Clinical Education Team Meetings as assigned by the director or designee.
  • Participate in the Center for START Services National Network through the online resource center, conference calls, study groups, annual conference meetings, and other START events as recommended.
  • Complete and maintain required training for the assigned program and region to comply with YAI policies, NCSS requirements, and applicable state regulatory requirements, including obtaining and maintaining START Coordinator certification.
  • Comply with federal, state, local, and other relevant regulatory requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
  • Perform other assigned duties.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have co-occurring diagnoses and complex behavioral needs.
  • Experience working with people and their families and/or social service providers.
  • Verbal and/or written fluency in Spanish; fluency in other languages may be preferred based on the assigned region and caseload.

Yai's Manhattan Star Academy (MSA) is a private, non-profit day school within the YAI Network that serves students aged 3 to 21 with developmental disabilities. It combines academics with therapies (occupational, physical, speech, counseling) in a Montessori-inspired, developmentally based curriculum, using small classes and sensory-friendly facilities with technology to track progress. The school includes a transition and vocational program to prepare students for life after graduation. Its differentiators are the integrated therapeutic model, a specialized environment for neuro-developmental needs, and a continuous education path from early years through post-secondary readiness.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$330K

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2023

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • STAR supported six students in its first year, showing demand for transition services.
  • YAI expanded MSA’s Upper School, signaling ongoing enrollment and program investment.
  • Community internships and podcasts strengthen employability, communication, and family appeal.

What critics are saying

  • YAI warned 2026 Medicaid cuts and flat state budgets squeeze provider wages.
  • Ninety percent of disability providers reported staffing shortages in 2025, pressuring MSA staffing.
  • If Medicaid rates stay inadequate, YAI’s school and adult-services model strains financially.

What makes Yai unique

  • MSA serves ages 3-21 with integrated academics, therapies, and transition programming.
  • STAR launched in July 2025, adding person-centered vocational and community learning.
  • YAI’s Upper School at 150 Amsterdam Avenue expands capacity for older students.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

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