Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is dedicated to advancing Denver’s environmental and public health goals. DDPHE works collaboratively with city, state and community partners to conduct education, community engagement, and enforcement to promote healthy people, healthy pets, and a sustainable environment. DDPHE oversees a number of services related to public health and the environment and is comprised of seven divisions: Division of Shared Services and Business Operations; Community & Behavioral Health; Public Health Investigations; Denver Animal Protection; the Office of Medical Examiner; Emergency Management and Medical Operations; and Environmental Quality. For more information on DDPHE’s programs and services, visit the DDPHE website at: Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.
We foster an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.
The Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program is a person centric, trauma-informed civilian response team dispatched by Denver 9-1-1 that pairs a Behavioral Health Clinician and a Paramedic or EMT to individuals experiencing crises related to mental health, substance use, homelessness, poverty, and other non-violent situations that do not require Police, EMS, or Fire. The program also includes post-crisis support and case management services through a network of community organizations, known as the STAR Community Partner Network.
Individuals experiencing behavioral or mental health crises often call 9‑1‑1 for support, leading to unnecessary law enforcement involvement that can escalate distress.
STAR serves as the fourth branch of Denver’s 9-1-1 response system and strengthens the overall effectiveness and efficiency of emergency response by ensuring that individuals receive the most appropriate type of behavioral health care. This program aims to reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency department, reduce unnecessary encounters with the criminal justice system, divert from unnecessary visits to the emergency department, increase access to specialized, person and community-centered services, and promote health equity for historically marginalized communities.
As a STAR Clinician, you will respond to active 9-1-1 calls for service, provide intensive professional crisis intervention and management including assessments, crisis counseling, 27-65 evaluation and documentation, level of care determination, acute safety planning, referral and connection to appropriate resources alongside your EMS partner.