About Us
Designated Local Authority
StarCare Specialty Health System (StarCare) is the state-designated Local Authority for mental health and intellectual disabilities in Lubbock, Lynn, Hockley, Cochran, and Crosby counties and the Local Authority for substance use disorders for 41 counties in the West Texas region.
StarCare is also a Texas Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and provides adult inpatient psychiatric services at Sunrise Canyon Hospital. StarCare is also proud to provide veteran support services via VetStar, aging services via the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) delivered by Silver Star, and much more!
As the state-designated Local Authority for mental health, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders and as a state Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, StarCare:
- ensures the health and safety of people who need services;
- ensures people who qualify for services can exercise consumer choice by helping them decide on their services, service provider, and location of services;
- ensures the best use of public money to create a robust network of service providers who meet the needs of the targeted population;
- coordinates and links people to appropriate services; and
- advocates for service funding sources
Service Areas
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health First Aid, Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver
Substance Use Disorder and Parenting Awareness & Drug Risk Education (PADRE)
Our Mission & Vision
Mission: To provide access to a broad array of specialty healthcare services that support and empower people as valued members of the community.
Vision: We imagine a community where all people have hope and the opportunity to achieve their full potential for health and wellbeing.
Our Story
Like our 38 sister centers across the state, StarCare’s beginning is founded in President John F. Kennedy’s signing into law the Community Mental Health Act (also known as the Mental Retardation and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963), which authorized federal grants for construction of public or nonprofit community mental health centers to provide inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, emergency care, and consultation/education services. This law helped people with mental illnesses who were “warehoused” in hospitals and institutions move back into their communities. [1]
As services offered to people with mental illnesses became more varied and comprehensive, it also became clear that helping people function at optimal levels would require the addition of treatment services for addiction disorders. This coordinated brand of service was labeled as “behavioral healthcare” — and providing comprehensive mental health and addiction services is the goal of community-based behavioral health organizations today.
In 1964, the Lubbock Community Planning Council created the South Plains Guidance Center, known today as StarCare Specialty Health System, in response to the identified need for services for people living with mental illness and mental retardation within the Lubbock community. [1]
For more than 50 years, StarCare has provided specialty healthcare services that are driven by community partnerships and by partnerships with the people served and their families and support groups.
Timeline
2019
Company completes a brand refresh and establishes new logo.
2016
Mental Health Services Outpatient Clinic receives designation as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.
2012
After 45 years as Lubbock Regional Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, the center changes its name to StarCare Specialty Health System.
2011
The 82nd Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1481, adding the Person First Respectful Language Initiative to the Texas Government Code, which produces Person First language with the intent of establishing preferred terms and phrases.
2010
U.S. Congress passes “Rosa’s Law” which strikes the term mental retardation from all federal laws and publications and instead uses the term “intellectual disability."
1975
The original local service area, Lubbock County, is expanded to include Cochran, Crosby, Hockley, and Lynn counties. The center’s name is changed to Lubbock Regional Mental Health Mental Retardation Center.
1966
The state approves the request for a community MHMR center for Lubbock County, and the Board of Trustees of Lubbock Regional MHMR Center is appointed.
1965
The Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) Act of 1965 prompted a request to the Texas Department of MHMR by the City of Lubbock for the formation of a community MHMR center in the Lubbock area.
1963
President John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act into law, authorizing federal grants for the construction of community mental health centers.