About STARS for Children’s Mental Health

STARS for Children’s Mental Health (STARS) is a system of care designed to improve the coordination of, access to, and effectiveness of services for children and youth with social, emotional and behavorial concerns and their families through Central Minnesota. 

STARS is a six-year cooperative agreement created by the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center and the four counties of Benton, Stearns, Sherburne and Wright. By networking agencies, families and supports, we hope to transform and enhance the children's mental health system in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties.

Transforming the children’s mental health system
STARS is a growing network of agencies, families and supports working to transform and enhance the mental health system. Our vision is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, seamless continuum of care that is individualized, family driven, youth guided, culturally competent and community based.

STARS is working to create a mental health system that is consistent across the four counties by filling service gaps, strengthening and coordinating existing resources and creating crucial services where none existed before. By partnering with the Four County Crisis Response Team, services have expanded to serve children and families experiencing a mental health crisis. The Four County Crisis Hotline helps families assess and stabilize a crisis situation, determine the next steps, and get connected with formal and/or informal resources and supports. Other services include short term care coordination to help families access and coordinate services; area therapists trained in 26 evidence-based practices to better treat children; and comprehensive assessments for children with the most complex needs.

STARS also focuses on trainings and education for parents, youth, providers and educators throughout the four county area. Trainings are developed based on the current needs and challenges facing our partners and service area. STARS also promotes trainings and workshops provided by area organizations that educate and inform the public and professionals about children’s mental health issues.

Parent and Youth Empowerment
STARS’ network involves parents and youth in their own care, the design and delivery of services, policy-making and funding decisions. Parents and youth have opportunities to participate on STARS’ committees, receive training on leadership and advocacy skills and attend special events for families affected by mental health issues. Support groups and resources for families and diverse communities are being developed.

STARS Logic Model       System of Care Diagram

Mission 
To transform the mental health system of care by:

Promoting interagency cooperation to fill service gaps; Initiating family-friendly, culturally competent, assessment-driven treatment and supports; and Empowering parents and youth to fully participate in decision-making.

Vision   
To develop and implement a rural, four-county children’s mental health delivery system which provides a comprehensive, coordinated, seamless continuum of care that is:

Individualized Family driven Youth guided Culturally competent Community based and will include timely, thorough assessment procedures including continuous quality improvement feedback procedures.

Funding for this website was made possible in part by Grant # 5 U79 SM57034-02 from SAMHSA. The views expressed on this site do not necessarliy reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.