Supporting Transitions And Reentry (STAR) program

The Supporting Transitions And Reentry (STAR) program is a community-based, referral program geared towards reducing recidivism in partnership with the courts, corrections, and the community.

For many, the mission of STAR begins inside the jail with a variety of clinical, vocational, and educational programs followed by a continuity of these services back into the communities as participants reenter society. For others, the referral could come from the courts as an option to incarceration. Either way, the vision is to reduce recidivism by streamlining access to resources throughout Essex County, ensuring program accountability, and allowing participants the opportunity to successfully navigate the criminal justice system by returning home as productive community members.

STAR provides an evidence-based curriculum by identifying a person’s strengths and weaknesses to help develop a treatment plan. Each person referred to STAR will be assigned a case manager called a STAR Navigator. The Navigator develops an individualized program for each participant and works with community partners to provide the tools and services they need. This versatile program allows individuals to set small attainable goals using a flexible schedule that supports their work, family, and community life.

Connections to mental health, substance use, educational and vocational training supports are critical and are provided. Referrals to the program will come from the courts, probation, parole, the District Attorney’s office, as well as from the law enforcement community.

Who STAR helps	What STAR Does	How STAR works
STAR serves all of Essex County. It is for persons identified by supervising courts or ECSD staff as benefitting from enhanced community support, accountability, and reentry planning. Referrals may come from: Courts. Includes pre-trial and those sentenced to probation; may be a condition of probation or parole. Corrections. Includes pretrial, sentenced, parolees, probation. Community. Individual has a history of or current justice involvement, need for MH or SU referrals, Interest in groups provided, need for support, resources, and community connection. (Exclusionary criteria includes a history of arson or sex offense, cases of a high-profile nature, violent/explosive behavior that is not appropriate for a community setting, additional offenses that may cause concern.)	STAR provides individualized, community-based programming, counseling, and education to help justice-involved individuals achieve success. STAR provides evidenced-based programming leveraging a person's strengths, passions and interests. Goals and objectives are designed in smaller 30-day "steps." Each individual is assigned a STAR Navigator. Schedules are flexible to help achieve more in the community. Navigators pay particular attention to factors that could impede progress such as lack of transportation, unstable housing, poor self-esteem, etc. and works to address these needs.	All participants will engage in center-based programming. These centers provide the following programming: Clinical: MRT, Anger Management, Parenting, Relapse Prevention, Seeking Safety, Drugs & Alcohol, Thinking Errors, Victim Empathy. Vocational: Holland Inventory, COST curriculum, Resume Writing, Interview skills, Connection to Career Centers, Virtual Vocational Training Programs, Connection to community vocational training. Educational: HiSet, HiSet Prep, Connection to Community Education, Individual instruction, Small Group Instruction.

Who STAR helps

What STAR Does

How STAR works

STAR serves all of Essex County. It is for persons identified by supervising courts or ECSD staff as benefitting from enhanced community support, accountability, and reentry planning.

Referrals may come from:

Courts. Includes pre-trial and those sentenced to probation; may be a condition of probation or parole.

Corrections. Includes pretrial, sentenced, parolees, probation.

Community. Individual has a history of or current justice involvement, need for MH or SU referrals, Interest in groups provided, need for support, resources, and community connection.

(Exclusionary criteria includes a history of arson or sex offense, cases of a high-profile nature, violent/explosive behavior that is not appropriate for a community setting, additional offenses that may cause concern.)

STAR provides individualized, community-based programming, counseling, and education to help justice-involved individuals achieve success.

STAR provides evidenced-based programming leveraging a person's strengths, passions and interests. Goals and objectives are designed in smaller 30-day "steps."

Each individual is assigned a STAR Navigator. Schedules are flexible to help achieve more in the community.

Navigators pay particular attention to factors that could impede progress such as lack of transportation, unstable housing, poor self-esteem, etc. and works to address these needs.

All participants will engage in center-based programming. These centers provide the following programming:

Clinical: MRT, Anger Management, Parenting, Relapse Prevention, Seeking Safety, Drugs & Alcohol, Thinking Errors, Victim Empathy.

Vocational: Holland Inventory, COST curriculum, Resume Writing, Interview skills, Connection to Career Centers, Virtual Vocational Training Programs, Connection to community vocational training.

Educational: HiSet, HiSet Prep, Connection to Community Education, Individual instruction, Small Group Instruction.