The STAR Center

The STAR Center is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides services for people with disabilities. The STAR Center has a network of services across Tennessee with the main office in Jackson, Tennessee. The STAR Center partners with Tennessee’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Project SEARCH, and Pre-Employment Transition Services to provide services to people with disabilities in Tennessee.

Origins

Margaret and Check Doumitt founded project STAR (later The STAR Center) to provide services for people with disabilities. They were motivated to begin the organization to give opportunities to their two children, George and Angela, who both had Batten disease. Batten disease is a rare genetic, neurological disease which usual causes progressive vision loss, seizures, movement disorders, and dementia. In the 1980’s few services existed in the West Tennessee rural area. Instead of relocating to an area with more services, the Doumitt’s chose to start new programs in West Tennessee for people with disabilities

History

In 1988 Margaret and Chuck Doumitt began an organization called Project STAR which would later become The STAR Center. Project STAR began in the basement of West Jackson Elementary School as a computer lab using Apple II computers to form assistive technologies for people with disabilities. In 1990, Project STAR moved into a larger space at Lambuth University. Soon after, a bus was purchased to provide a mobile version of therapy services that could met clients in the community. Home care and therapy services began during this time to reach client’s emotional and social needs. In 2005, The STAR Center moved again to a new 30,000 sq./ft building to provide for its growing clientele. Late, the bus used for mobile treatment was phased out in 2012. Treatment options through phones and the internet replaced the need for the mobile bus service.

Services

Assistive Technology

This service teaches use of assistive technology to promote independent living skills.

Employment Services

This services works with clients to improve job related skills, and works with employers to match clients with potential jobs.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy is the evidence based use of music by a board-certified music therapist to reach non-musical goals. Music therapy at The Start Center includes both individual and group sessions both in house and offsite.

Speech/ Language Therapy

The STAR Center employs a Speech-Language pathologist to met client communication goals.

Reading Clinic

A reading clinic at The Star Center meets children with reading disabilities to improve their reading skills

Vision Services

This services works with blind and low vision clients to adjust to disabilities or impairments.

Home Care

This service works with clients to stay healthy and safe in their homes.

Ria's Heart

Started by Jackson TN local Ria Patel, this program is a behavioral therapy art program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Awards & Notable Events

• In 2012, The STAR Center won a Toyota Sienna from 100 Cars for Good Program
• On Aug 28th, 2023 Gov Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee visited The STAR Center to support disability services in Tennessee.

References

Official website

This article "The STAR Center" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:The STAR Center. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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