Short Term Assistance and Referral

STAR provides short term, individualized support to families caring for a loved one who experiences developmental disabilities. The goal of the intervention is to preserve family stability and assist families in accessing needed services to avoid future crises.

The STAR Family Support Specialist contacts an identified individual and/or family and begins to form a respectful partnership to identify needs, establish priorities and research available resources. There are many ways in which the program may assist families and individuals in need:

• Meet with families to listen and help them prioritize their needs and choices;
• Assist families and individuals to find and access resources such as equipment, support groups, parent training, counseling and financial resources;
• Assist with the development of natural supports to meet family needs;
• Help in locating appropriate community resources in order to remain in the community of their choice;
• Assist families in building life skills to avoid future crises and stay together;
• Secure funding for crisis needs such as respite, emergency travel or equipment;
• Arrange meetings with other providers to coordinate family support services;
• Collaborate with other agencies to facilitate time limited supports within the home; and
• Ensure families are connected with state and federal resources (i.e. Medicaid, SSI, TEFRA, Public Assistance, WIC, Denali Kid Care, and Infant Learning).