STARS - Services

STARS’ mission, to improve the lives of individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities, is furthered through the primary services provided to participants. Participants gain opportunities and resources to achieve their highest levels of personal, social and economic independence based upon individualized service plans.

Employment Services

STARS employment services are located at two in-house vocational Work Centers. Approximately 80 participants work in the STARS Work Centers daily and are provided assessment, training and employment opportunities. STARS provides business solutions to many local businesses with services including product assembly, labeling, sorting, collating, assembly, packaging, disassembly and kitting. Learn more about STARS Business Solutions.

Community-based Employment

The Community-based Employment staff works with individuals who are seeking employment or those who are employed in area businesses. This may range from highly supervised employment such as found in our Fry’s Enclave, to independent employment ranging from restaurant services to retail positions. In Community-based Employment, participants receive on-the-job training including job readiness and work adjustment skills to prepare them for competitive placement in the mainstream workforce. Once a permanent job is obtained, STARS provides ongoing job coaching and support so that both the participant and the employer continue to have a positive work experience.

Community-based Employment opportunities for participants include:

Fry’s Food Stores, a long-time supporter of STARS
Bashas
Safeway
Scottsdale Unified School District – Navajo and Kiva Elementary School Cafeterias
Harkins Theaters
Sprouts Farmers Market
Paul’s Ace Hardware
VA Hospital
Albertsons

STARS’ Employment Services strive to achieve paid employment for participants and introduces the community to the amazing things individuals with disabilities are capable of. Being part of STARS Employment Services, helps participants feel greater self-fulfillment, a sense of identity and dignity, and fosters economic independence.

For more information, contact: voc@starsaz.org

Day Programs

Participants at STARS have a range of programs from which to learn and grow. Programs foster positive and safe environments to learn and provide an integrated combination of self-help, personal and home care skills, consumer awareness along with art, speech and music therapy, and recreation and leisure activities. Participants learn functional living skills such as grooming, time management, first aid, shopping, cooking and housekeeping. Many individuals in the day program also enjoy part-time employment in one of the STARS’ Work Centers. These services are geared toward improving socialization and communication skills and help enable participants to become active members of their community, living with dignity and respect.

Creative Arts Programs

The Creative Arts programs are dynamic programs that enhance sensory-motor development, self-awareness and socialization skills of our participants. Access to photography, art classes and music help adults with a variety of disabilities strengthen key areas in their lives with emphasis on gaining self-esteem, increasing independence and finding a means of self-expression.

Drawn Together

The STARS Drawn Together program is led by Richard Retter, an internationally-known artist who has shown at the ASU Kerr Gallery, Scottsdale Mayo Clinic Concourse Gallery and the Wrigley Mansion. He works with each participant, varying the degree of assistance he provides based on the individuals’ skills and interests. Many participants have had their art displayed in the Arizona State and County Fairs, as well as the Sister Cities Art Competition, typically winning ribbons in the process. Without exception, each artist is encouraged to express themselves as independently as possible.

Shoot for the STARS

Through the Shoot for the STARS photography program, led by local photographer Mark Lipczynski, participants are introduced to concepts such as up and down, light and dark, and far and near which helps participants identify things in their environment. Shoot for the STARS is also used successfully with people who are extremely shy and can enable people diagnosed with autism to interact with their environment.

Music Therapy

The Music Therapy program helps participants increase both verbal and cognitive skills along with socialization and coping skills. Participants work on speech clarity, making preferences known with verbal or gestural communications, improving gross and fine motor skills with use of musical instruments. They are also able to improving their attention to task and memory skills through music as their medium. STARS’ staff and local musicians direct the music activities.

For more information, contact: dta@starsaz.org.

Services