SERVICE TO AT RISK YOUTH

HISTORY OF THE STAR PROGRAM   

The STAR program was developed in 1983 by the 68th Legislature to help fill the gap in services to youth who are runaways, truant, at risk of running away, or at risk of abuse who did not meet the criteria for child protective services or county juvenile probation programs.

The 75th Legislature greatly expanded the STAR program for FY 02/03.  Services were expanded to extend services to children from birth to the age of 17.  The "at-risk of abuse" category was replaced with "youth in at risk situations".  Services that may be provided were expanded to include Child Abuse Prevention Awareness.

The goals of the STAR program are to prevent youth from running away from home, being truant from school, having delinquent behavior and helping youth and families resolve crises that threaten their family unit.

The STAR program is the only prevention and early intervention program in the entire state that is offered in all 254 counties.  STAR services are free, confidential and available 24 hours each day, seven days each week.  The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) provides funding for STAR.