STAR CHOICES
News & Events
2024 We can do this
DSP Appreciation Week Ice Cream Social 2024
Join us Monday for an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social! Ice Cream, All of the toppings, And you may even see your Team Leaders in Funny Hats!
DSP Appreciation Week 09.2024
Celebrate DSP Appreciation Week with us! Join Monday’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social, Dip-n-Paint fun, and an Appreciation Party with BBQ, music, and family fun!
GA Learning Community Story 09.09.24
Georgia Learning Communities’ Gathering on Sept 5-6, 2024, united advocates for person-centered practices with learning, camaraderie, and a vision for the future.
Life is Better on the Lake 08.23.24
Star Choices Inc.’s ‘Life is Better on the Lake’ event at Van Pugh Park North was a memorable day filled with sunshine, games, and reconnecting with friends.
Employee Retention Bonus Program
Join Star Choices Inc. and earn up to $15,000 in bonuses over 5 years with our Employee Retention Program. Stay, grow, and be rewarded!
Food Around the World
New Year New office in NGA
Star Choices Inc. celebrates a new chapter in Buford, GA! Our office at 4979 Bristol Industrial Way, Suite 200, promises enhanced support for those with disabilities.
2023 We’re Still Here
3-F’s (Flowers, Food, & Friends) Gainesville Botanical Gardens Thu Dec 14th 2023
Flowers, Food & Friends is a recipe for a great afternoon. This years end of
the year celebration takes place at the Gainesville Botanical Gardens.
Cookout at Cherokee Bluff Park
Closing out our Direct Support Professional (DSP) week Celebration we had a wonderful Cookout at a Cherokee Bluff Park 5867 Blackjack Rd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 Time: 4pm – 7pm.
Dip & Dots
As part of our Direct Support Professional (DSP) week Celebration we had wonderful dips & chips along with a personalized painting class.
Celebrating the Journey
For our 2nd day of celebration of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) we created a postcard montage of all employees and contractors with Star Choices inc.
Taste of the United States!
A good time was had by all at the annual taste of the world event. This year we added a little Twist celebrating the taste from around the United States of America.
Thank You DSP’s!
Star Choices Inc. administration spends much time in meetings talking about the great work and appreciation we have for Direct Support Professionals (DSP’s) and the services they provide.
Cinco De Mayo Celebration
Employees were treated to a Cinco De Mayo celebration!
2022 Star is on the Move
Cards, Lunch, & Appreciation
We are having a staff appreciation event on Thursday 10/20/2022!!!
Breakfast & Games 2022
We are having a staff appreciation event on Thursday 10/20/2022!!!
2022 DSP Appreciation Week in Georgia
DSP Appreciation Week September 12th – 16th 2022
Star Cookout!
What a wild day! Laurel park in Gainesville is a gorgeous place. We had a pavilion, a splash
pad, yard games all of which were enjoyed.
May Pizza Party in the Park
All had a blast at the May Pizza Party in the Park.
Mask off for now 03.14.2022
Completing an action alert email to our legislators asking them to address the DSP Workforce Shortage:
Learning Journey Reimagining
Star Choices Inc. was selected to participate in a Learning Journey with Sangha Unity Network, Inc. (SUN), DBHDD, and Michelle Schwartz, M.Ed. CCC-Sp, and Katie Chandler, LCSW. This Learning Journey is designed for provider agencies who seek to further commit to a...
How can we get involved?
Completing an action alert email to our legislators asking them to address the DSP Workforce Shortage:
Changes are here! Starting February 21st 2022
I’m pleased to announce with this email that through a four-part strategy we plan to spend an additional ~$95,000 each year moving forward to help Star with our top two priorities:
2021 at Star Choices
Increasing wages for Direct Support Professionals
Beginning 01/21/2021 community Direct Support Professionals (DSP’s) will receive a $1 per / hour increase in their pay.
DSP Appreciation Week
2021 happened! What a day to celebrate the accomplishments of our team.
End of the Year Award Ceremony
2021 happened! What a day to celebrate the accomplishments of our team.
Carnival Day September 2021
Carnival Day was filled with joy and appreciation! Smiles were flowing with ease.
Barbeque June 2021
Pig decorating, roster pictures, and barbequed chicken and pork. Who new Alberta Banks Park could be so much fun!
Random Act of Kindness Day February 17, 2021
Pig decorating, roster pictures, and barbequed chicken and pork. Who new Alberta Banks Park could be so much fun!
Lunch in the Park April 2021
Trees, water, shaded Pavilion and sharing a meal together, what a an event. Happy times in the park for all.
2020 COVID-19
Zoom Fun!
One of the bright spots of 2020 was the vast expansion in Star Choices Inc. of the use of video conferencing.
Covid-19 Vaccine’s have arrived!
Vaccine’s for Star Choices Inc. employee’s have begun. The Hall County Health department has been friendly, professional, and courteous.
Winter break presents 2020!
Some of the brightest memories of 2020 come from DSP’s that work for Star Choices Inc. and the extraordinary contribution day-to-day in the lives of the folks we support.
Rain, Shine, or Pandemic DSP’s show up
At Star Choices, we have never been prouder and more humbled to be a part of this team and our organization than during this current crisis.
2019 July – December News
The Power of People Workshop August 12th 2019
Star Choices Inc. continues to prioritize ongoing development and education for employees. This full day interactive workshop was designed for the people who work for and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Planning Committee Meeting 10/2019
A few times a year, Star Choices Inc. sits down as a group, Community/Residential DSP’s, front line supervisors, & agency positional leaders from all 3 major locations across the state or Georgia, to look over progress on our agency wide 3-year strategic plan.
Recognizing and Celebrating DSP’s
The Macon office held its annual DSP Recognition celebration in September 2019. The event was held at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
Moving Forward with Altera
Star Choices continues to move forward with our strategic plan aimed at becoming more digitized and embracing technology.
Renewed Approach to Structural Management 12/5/2019
We have heard staff’s needs and concerns regarding communication between Residential staff and administration. This new strategy for management is twofold.
The Georgia Disability History Alliance 5th Annual Symposium
Star Choices Inc. is committed to ongoing development and learning opportunities for staff. The Georgia Disability History Alliance 5th Annual Symposium at Richard B Russell Library on the UGA Campus in Athens, Georgia was a wonderful learning experience for several Star Choices staff.
Renewed Commitment to Ongoing Development & Training
Star Choices Inc. continues to increase access to specialized trainings for all staff. In 2019, Star Choices offered all required annual training to staff in an interactive online format, College of Direct Support (CDS).
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Conference
Sue Studham, Katherine McCoy, Sharon Booker, and Cartina Wilson represented
Star Choices, Inc. and Georgia Living Well Project at the NADSP conference in
Cleveland Ohio September 6-8, 2019.
Georgia Leadership Launchpad October 2019
Star Choices Inc. employees experienced, with 15 other agencies from across the state, this leadership retreat experience, for emerging leaders in Georgia. DeeDee & Medina you represented yourselves & Star Choices Inc. with such poise & class. I’m so excited to be a part of each of your ongoing leadership journey.
2019 January – June News
Peer Recognition
As a part of Macon’s employee recognition program, April was peer recognition month.
Renewed Attention to New Hire Process
In our strategic plan one of our focus items has been recruitment and retention. One way we are working toward improvement in this area is by renewing our attention to the new hire process.
Employee Referral Reward Program (ERRP) June 2019
Star Choices Inc. is continuing to invest in recruitment and retention of quality Host Home providers. Starting January 1st 2019, Star has extended the employee referral reward program (ERRP) to include not only employee referrals but now, Host Home provider referrals as well.
Quarterly Performance Pay (QPP)
We started out 2019 with the Benjamin's! Star Choices Inc. (Star) is committed to empowering employees with knowledge to make informed choices and reduce barriers for the folks they support. Transparency in ongoing feedback on performance, a fundamental philosophy to...
Star Choices Backyard Bash
Today was our Staff Backyard Bash. We had a taco bar, dessert bar, bubbles, and games. It was hot but everyone came out and had a good time spending time with one another and just having fun!
March 25th – 28th 2019 Leadership Launchpad
Star Choices Inc. employees experienced, with 17 other agencies from across the state, this once in a lifetime leadership retreat opportunity, for emerging leaders in Georgia. Peggy & Michael thank you so much for your participation and we look forward to the great things we will accomplish together.
2018 4th Quarter News
GA Learning Community Story 09.09.24
Georgia Learning Communities’ Gathering on Sept 5-6, 2024, united advocates for person-centered practices with learning, camaraderie, and a vision for the future.
Employee Referral Reward Program (ERRP)
Looking at how we recruit and retain good employees. Starting November 1st 2018, Employee referral reward program (ERRP).
State-wide Self-Advocacy Planning Session – April 17, 2018
The Self-Advocacy Network Planning Sessions are designed to provide opportunities for self-advocates to connect and develop area and state networks.
October 16-19, 2018 Leadership Launchpad
Two Star Choices inc. employees were able to experience this once in a lifetime leadership retreat opportunity, for emerging leaders in Georgia.
Continuing Movement & Work Toward Our Strategic Plan
As part of Star Choices commitment to the importance of excellence in matching staff with folks they support. We have begun incorporating people we support in the interview process for new staff. Laura interviews a potential DSP to work directly with her.
Health Insurance Coverage
October 1, 2018 - Ongoing Health Insurance – As part of strategic plan Star Choices Inc. began offering health insurance coverage to full time employees as 10/1/2018. Ian Wilkinson, an experienced board member has been instrumental in helping Star Choices Inc. to...
Georgia Living Well Project
NADSP conference ST. Louis Minnesota 09/2018 Star Choices Inc. took advantage of a wonderful opportunity for 5 DSP's to represent GA at this prestigious national alliance of direct support professional conference. Learning about best practices, getting away from the...
Hall County Intern
We are so pleased to have Kristi Villa interning with Star Choices Inc. in Hall County. Kristi is pursuing her Master Degree in Social work from Walden University. Kristi, began interning in August 2018 and will remain with Star until March 2018. Welcome...
Macon DSP Recognition
We took the day to celebrate the DSP’s who work hard everyday to assist and empower people to find their joy and live the life they choose. Thank you for the awesome work you do.