STARS
STARS is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based nonprofit founded in 1973 serving adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities through day training, competitive integrated employment, supervised vocational work, and transportation programs funded primarily by state DDD contracts, federal grants, and community donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersScottsdale, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What STARS does
STARS (legally Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 in Scottsdale, Arizona by parents of adults with disabilities, making it one of the first agencies in the Scottsdale area dedicated to serving individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities (IDD). The organization operates four core programs: Day Training for Adults (DTA), which provides structure and life-skills training; Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE), which places participants in independent community jobs; CommunityWork, a supervised vocational program performing compensated tasks for corporate and nonprofit partners; and Community-Based Employment Support (CBE), which provides ongoing post-placement coaching. A complementary transportation service, Beyond the Ride, operates a fleet of more than a dozen vehicles within a 30-mile radius and is cited as the reason over 60% of center-based participants remain engaged with programming.
The organization's revenue model is multi-stream and predominantly institutional. Primary funding flows from Arizona's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES DDD) Qualified Vendor contracts and from 16 Vocational Rehabilitation offices that refer participants; federal grants, such as FTA Section 5310 funds channeled through the Maricopa Association of Governments, and state legislative allocations supplement this base. Corporate revenue is generated through CommunityWork contracts with partners including Cox Enterprises (cable and remote refurbishment — 898,740 cables and 209,090 remotes in 2022), U-Haul International (recycling), Hospice of the Valley (welcome packet assembly), Fry's Food Stores, La Grande Orange, and The Saguaro Hotel. A fundraising and donations layer (Scottsdale Charros Foundation, Kiwanis Club, East Valley Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Arizona Republic Season for Sharing, Arizona Gives Day) contributes discretionary capital, and a new Social Enterprise initiative (including an 'All-STARS Brew' with OHSO Brewery) launched in July 2025 represents an emerging earned-revenue arm.
Operations are delivered through two Scottsdale campuses — the Osborn Campus (CommunityWork and administration) and the Cholla Campus (DTA) — with a small executive team led by Executive Director Claudia Chavez and supported by a Board of Directors chaired by Jennifer Alewelt. STARS holds Qualified Vendor status with AZ DES DDD and complies with OSHA, FLSA Section 14(c), WIOA, Title VI, and ADA requirements. The organization has explicitly navigated a state funding shortfall in FY26 and is repositioning with new executive hires, a culture initiative, and the social enterprise expansion.
STARS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- STARS
- Legal name
- Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
- Website
- https://starsaz.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- STARS is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based nonprofit founded in 1973 serving adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities through day training, competitive integrated employment, supervised vocational work, and transportation programs funded primarily by state DDD contracts, federal grants, and community donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
STARS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services and Vocational Rehabilitation
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialized Adult Day Programs (Parkinson’s, Stroke, MS, etc.) (HSABANAE)
Keywords
Where STARS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Scottsdale
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
STARS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Contracts and Grants: STARS receives funding through Arizona's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), federal grants such as the FTA Section 5310 program, and state legislative funding allocations. The organization has faced state funding shortfalls and advocates for supplemental funding.
- Community Donations and Fundraising: STARS operates donation campaigns including the Beyond the Ride transportation campaign with a $75,000 goal. Donations are received from individual donors, family supporters, and community organizations.
- Program Fees: STARS provides compensated work tasks for CommunityWork participants through contracts with corporate partners like Cox Enterprises and Hospice of the Valley.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
STARS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
STARS delivers day programs, vocational training, competitive integrated employment placement, and transportation services for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities in the Scottsdale/Phoenix metropolitan area. Services are funded through Arizona DDD contracts, government grants, and community donations, and are accessed primarily through two campus locations in Scottsdale. The organization also provides compensated work tasks for corporate partners such as Cox Enterprises and Hospice of the Valley through its CommunityWork program.
Product overview
STARS (Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services) is a nonprofit organization providing programs and services for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including Day Training for Adults (DTA) for life-skills development, Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for independent job placement, CommunityWork for supervised vocational training, and Community-Based Employment Support (CBE) with ongoing employment assistance. Transportation services (Beyond the Ride) support participant access to all programs, while the Shooting Star Newsletter keeps the community informed.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Day Training for Adults (DTA) Adult day program at the Cholla Campus that provides structure, life-skills training, social activities, and community integration for individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities.
- Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Employment program that prepares job-ready individuals for fully inclusive independent employment using a multi-phase model including discovery, readiness, and job placement, with on-the-job coaching at partner employers such as U-Haul, Fry's, La Grande Orange, and The Saguaro Hotel.
- CommunityWork Supervised work program where participants engage in compensated tasks for various nonprofit and corporate partners (such as Cox Enterprises and Hospice of the Valley), building employment and social skills in a center-based environment.
- Community-Based Employment Support (CBE) Comprehensive initiative with two programs: Independent Employment Support (ISE) for the first year and Employment Support Aid (ESA) for ongoing support without a predetermined end date, helping participants achieve full community integration through employment.
- Beyond the Ride Transportation Service Transportation service providing essential transport for participants to attend adult day programs and employment opportunities, operating a fleet of over a dozen vehicles within a 30-mile radius of STARS campuses.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 60% of center-based participants have remained engaged with STARS due to transportation services
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use STARS
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
STARS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
STARS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Scottsdale Kiwanis ClubminorSTARS joined Scottsdale Kiwanis Club breakfast meeting where Claudia Chavez shared how STARS empowers adults with developmental disabilities. The Kiwanis Club made a $500 donation to STARS.
- Cox Enterprises / Cox CommunicationscoreCommunityWork participants refurbish remotes, power cords, and cables for redistribution by Cox Enterprises. In 2022, participants refurbished 898,740 cables and 209,090 remotes. Cox volunteers have also painted the CommunityWork facility and cleaned exercise areas at the Cholla Campus.
- Hospice of the ValleycoreCommunityWork participants assemble welcome packets for the sole nonprofit hospice in Maricopa County. Participants like Ben put together 100 pamphlets per session. Described as a 'beautiful win-win' partnership where HOV gets required support while participants gain valuable job and social skills.
- U-Haul InternationalcoreCIE program places participants in U-Haul's recycling program. Participant Jackson has been in his carved position for nearly 3 years. U-Haul management has praised participants' work ethic and dedication.
- La Grande Orange (LGO)minorLGO created carved employment positions for three CIE participants in bakery and restaurant operations. Regional Restaurant Manager Blair Andersen and Bakery Manager Josh Thompson provide supportive atmosphere.
- The Saguaro HotelminorCIE graduate Vicente O. employed in groundskeeper/maintenance/housekeeping departments at The Saguaro Hotel in Old Town Scottsdale after completing Employment First Initiative.
- Phoenix SunsminorPartnership for luxury game experience event treating STARS participants and staff to premium seats, special arena access, and meet-and-greet with Phoenix Suns Gorilla.
- National Charity LeagueminorNational Charity League Sonoran Centennial Chapter provides volunteers, holiday gifts, Easter baskets, and Halloween gift bags for STARS participants. The organization's focus is fostering mother-daughter relationships while serving the community.
- Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian CommunityminorSRPMIC hosted the 2024 East Valley Mayor's Prayer Breakfast where STARS was recognized. Ongoing mutual support relationship cultivated over many years.
- SRP (Salt River Project)minorSTARS connected with SRP employees in Mesa to share information about STARS, explore volunteer opportunities, and discover ways to get involved. Kelly Valles serves as SRP liaison.
- MedixminorLong-time volunteers for STARS who helped organize staff appreciation breakfasts at each campus, treating employees to food and hosting raffles.
- OHSO BreweryminorSTARS partnered with OHSO Brewery to create an 'All-STARS Brew' - a social enterprise initiative. Staff, board members, and participant Josh R. participated in brewing the custom beer.
- Detour Theatre CompanyminorDetour Theatre Company produces accessible theatrical performances featuring adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. STARS participants performed in The Little Mermaid production at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
STARS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
STARS social profiles
Digital presenceSTARS compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
STARS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
STARS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
STARS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
STARS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about STARS
What does STARS do?
STARS delivers day programs, vocational training, competitive integrated employment placement, and transportation services for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities in the Scottsdale/Phoenix metropolitan area. Services are funded through Arizona DDD contracts, government grants, and community donations, and are accessed primarily through two campus locations in Scottsdale. The organization also provides compensated work tasks for corporate partners such as Cox Enterprises and Hospice of the Valley through its CommunityWork program.
Is STARS a public or private company?
STARS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was STARS founded?
STARS was founded in 1973. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is STARS based?
STARS is headquartered in Scottsdale, United States, in the North America region.
How does STARS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts and Grants are the primary driver. The others are community Donations and Fundraising and program Fees.
Does STARS have an API?
No public API is recorded for STARS.
What industry is STARS in?
STARS's product category is Disability Services and Vocational Rehabilitation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADAIAI, Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors), with a secondary code of HSABANAE, Specialized Adult Day Programs (Parkinson’s, Stroke, MS, etc.). Its NAICS code is 624310 and its SIC code is 8300.