Adolescent Specialized Treatment and Recovery Team (A-START)
The Adolescent Specialized Treatment and Recovery Team (A-START) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides strength-based care for adolescents and young adults with substance use disorders, on an outpatient basis. Grounded in a family-centered approach, A-START is designed to meet the unique developmental needs of youth — offering support that extends beyond traditional pediatric care models to meet the specific needs of each patient and their family. Housed within the Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine, A-START brings together a compassionate, interdisciplinary team that provides intake, evaluation, and referrals to substance use treatment providers in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS) and in the community. Physicians and Nurse Practitioners support ongoing medical needs including medication management for patients through A-START. Through a comprehensive clinical model, we use evidence-based strategies to evaluate, prevent, and reduce harm from substance use, while empowering young people and their families on the path to recovery.
Our services include:
- The Intake, Evaluation, and Referral (IER) service is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to offer IER services for youth and young adults with substance use concerns (see our DDAP listing here). Services include medical and psychosocial assessments and referrals to referrals to substance use treatment providers in the DCAPBS and in the community.
- Medication management including long-acting injectables
- Medication for withdrawal symptoms
- Naloxone (Narcan®) provision
- In-office urine drug testing
- Additional support through Adolescent Medicine specialty services, including supportive care for LGBTQ+ youth, HIV prevention and treatment, assessment and treatment of eating disorders, and adolescent gynecology services
The entire A-START program is governed by federal confidentiality regulations. For details on how CHOP may use and share patient information from A-START, see the CHOP Notice of Privacy Practices.
If you have questions, please contact the A-START care team at 215-590-3537 (press 1 for appointment scheduling, then press 3 for A-START).
Substances addressed by A-START
The substances addressed by A-START include, but are not limited to:
- Cannabis
- Nicotine/Tobacco (including vapes)
- Alcohol
- Opiates
- Benzodiazepines
- Psychedelics
- Inhalants
- Polysubstance use
Why choose us for substance use care
Our comprehensive, family-centered care extends beyond traditional pediatric care models to meet the specific needs of each patient and their family. Our proven approach helps reduce and prevent substance use in young people and encourage long-term recovery.
Meet our team
Our team includes board-certified addiction medicine physicians, adolescent medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, social workers, program managers, research staff and adolescent medicine fellows. Every member of our team has the same goal: to help your family find healing and hope.
A-START locations
Our team sees teens and young adults at three CHOP locations and via telemedicine, with availability 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Clinic is offered on:
- Mon and Tues: Isaacman Family Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Brandywine Valley
- Wed and Fri: Specialty Care, 3550 Market Street
- Fri: Specialty Care, King of Prussia (select times available upon request)
Patient resources
These trusted resources curated by CHOP experts can help support families on the path to recovery.
Your donation changes lives
A-START is an innovative program that is rapidly scaling up to meet the needs of our patients and their families. Philanthropy is a critical component of growing and sustaining A-START programming.
