SERVICES TO AT-RISK (STAR) AND UNIVERSAL PREVENTION PROGRAMS

STAR PROGRAM at ACCESS Together We Can Build A Better Future Services to At-Risk Youth in Anderson and Cherokee Counties

Services To At Risk Youth (STAR) Program Department of Family and Protective Services The Services to At Risk Youth (STAR) Program provides services to youth in at-risk situations and their families. The purpose of the program is to reduce family conflict and to prevent the problems of runaway, truancy and delinquent behaviors by: helping youths and their families resolve crisis that threaten their capacity to live together; helping youths and their families develop skills to cope with problems and stresses in their homes; helping parents resume and maintain their parental responsibility; and providing short term placement for youths whose immediate return home is not advisable. Originally established as a demonstration project in 1983 to serve runaway and truant youth, the program has expanded from its original 12 sites to 54 contracts providing services in all 254 counties by the end of The STAR program is funded by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

STAR Staff Program Coordinator:Janette Maldonado-Johnson Case Coordinators:Belinda Hernandez Ana M. Vega Veronica M. Hunter Clynell Anderson Administrative Assistant: Manuela Hernandez

Program Goals: To match case managers with youth To reduce the risk to families in crisis To help youth and families work together to resolve conflicts To help youth improve attitude toward school To provide an outlet for youthful energy through activities To help keep families together

Eligibility Youth age 0-17 who are:

Runaway Youth: Youth 7 through 17 who have left home without parental permission or who have no identifiable residence. Youth who have parents or caretakers that told them to leave, or who have consented to their departure, may also be considered runaways. Abandoned youth are youth age 7 through 17 whose parents or managing conservator cannot be located, or who have neither permitted the youth to return home nor arranged for the youth’s care after the youth has been absent from the home for any reason, including having run away.

Truant Youth: Youth 5 through 17 who have been voluntarily absent from school for reasons other than those accepted by the school where they are enrolled or should be enrolled.

Youth In Family Conflict: Youth 0 through 17 and their family members who are experiencing family conflict.

Delinquent Youth Youth ages 7 through 9 who have allegedly been involved in or committed a delinquent offense. Youth ages 10 through 16 who have allegedly committed a misdemeanor offense or state jail felony, but have not been adjudicated delinquent by a court of law. Pre-adjudicated or informally adjudicated youth and deferred adjudicated youth are eligible.

Services Offered: To Youth and Families:

Around the clock Crisis Intervention Conflict Resolution In-Home Family Counseling Skills Training for Youth and Families Linkage with Community Resources Short Term Respite Care Case Planning and Follow-up English/Spanish Counseling

Universal Child Abuse Prevention Services UCAP

Services Offered: To Community at Large including all families regardless of level of risk Parent Education Classes Distribution of Printed Child Abuse Awareness Materials

Program Goals: To increase general knowledge and awareness of child abuse and neglect To improve accessibility to information about child maltreatment To increase awareness of additional resources To create a an overall continuum of services To improve support for parents and reduce incidents of child abuse and neglect Brought to you by: ACCESS STAR PROGRAM To Report Child Abuse:

Contact Us at:

Cherokee County Office: 804 South Main Street Jacksonville, Texas Fax:

Anderson County Office: 3320 South Loop 256 Palestine, Texas Fax:

For more information about ACCESS STAR Program visit us at: And link to STAR Program

CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBER: HOURS AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK