STARRY, Inc.

STARRY Counseling was established in 1991 through a STAR contract with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) division of Prevention and Intervention (PEI). This initial contract funded the delivery of free counseling, case management, and parenting support to at-risk youth and their families living in Williamson County, Texas. STARRY’s success in carrying out these services since 1991 (during which it has continuously held its original contract) led the State of Texas to expand the contract several times to include additional counties. STARRY now delivers these free PEI services across 31 Central and North Central Texas counties.

The State STAR program was renamed Family and Youth Services (FAYS) in 2020 to better reflect the expansion of its mission from being solely youth-focused to addressing the needs of the families of target youth more holistically in services. STARRY is recognized by the State as a leader in programming excellence among FAYS contractors. STARRY’s contract was renewed again in 2017 for five years, and continues to partially fund its delivery of these vital services. In 2019, STARRY served 11,398 target youth and 4,590 of their caregivers across 31 counties.

STARRY Counseling services are designed to address conflict in families of at-risk target youth (ages birth through high school; primarily ages 6-17). For each youth served, STARRY also delivers services to least one of the youth’s parents or caregivers, and to any minor sibling in the home identified as needing to participate in therapeutic services with the family. On average, there are .4 siblings served for every target youth served. The majority of clients are considered lower income, defined as <$63,000 total combined annual household income. STARRY Counseling identifies high risk zip codes in each county served and works to increase access to services in these areas due to the higher likelihood for child maltreatment and neglect.

Key program activities of STARRY Counseling include delivery of free professional services including Individual and Family Counseling, Case Management, Youth Skills Training, and Parent Skills Training. Services are delivered in individual, family, and group sessions by a Licensed Professional Counselor (or an LPC Counselor Intern under supervision) and/or a Family Support Specialist. They build on existing family strengths to prevent future issues where a family may not be able to care for their children or provide a safe, healthy home. STARRY Counseling also distributes Universal Child Abuse Prevention information across its service area.

STARRY Counseling’s overall program goals are to increase accessibility for these vulnerable youth and families so they are able to receive professional, evidence-based, trauma-informed services. Families typically present with challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, truancy, bullying, grief, suicidal ideation, ADHD, drug/alcohol abuse, anger, divorce/abandonment, and severe family conflict that can escalate into abuse. Services are customized to meet the individual, trauma-based needs of the target population in a way that improves resiliency, family connection, and safety. They particularly help youth and families with limited access to mental and behavioral health services and resources due to geographic, transportation, financial, and/or cultural barriers

The staff is aware that youth and families impacted by poverty and racism are particularly disadvantaged due to lack of access to support services and to providers who understand inequities and the systematic effects of racism. All staff receive formal cultural competency training at on-boarding and through annual required training. Staff are actively engaged in outreach with schools, churches, after school programs, shelters, community organizations, and advocacy groups to increase awareness, deepen community connections, and open doors to increase access for vulnerable and/or culturally diverse populations. STARRY Counseling administers a psychosocial assessment to clients at intake which screens for trauma specific to racial inequities and racism. Staff carefully considers the results of these assessments when customizing the Plan of Service.

STARRY Counseling delivers services across a 31-county area in Central and North Central Texas. One of eight regional offices for STARRY Counseling is located at STARRY headquarters in Round Rock, Texas. Seven other regional offices for this program are located in Georgetown, Waco, Temple, Killeen, McKinney, Wichita Falls, and Stephenville. In addition to the regional offices, STARRY Counseling has 40+ satellite locations in its service area, many of which are located in donated space provided by community partners. STARRY Counseling’s Killeen office also offers case management and counseling services for military families in crisis who are attached to Fort Hood.