S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home
Stabilization - Trauma-Integrated Care - Assessments - Resources - Services
Our Commitment
S.T.A.R.S. believes the greatest healing occurs when children remain connected to those who love them, their culture, and their identity.
S.T.A.R.S. recognizes that First Nations are the experts on their own children, families, cultures, and communities. Our role is not to replace that knowledge but to contribute specialized trauma-integrated clinical expertise in support of each Nation's goals for its children. Through listening, collaboration, and mutual respect, we hope to walk alongside communities as partners in promoting healing, strengthening families, and building brighter futures for children.
No single organization can meet all of a child's needs. Lasting healing occurs when children are surrounded by strong relationships, connected to their families, culture, community, and Nation, and supported by partners working together toward a common goal. S.T.A.R.S. is one member of this circle—contributing specialized clinical expertise while respecting the leadership, knowledge, and strengths of First Nations, families, and communities.
We know that meaningful partnerships are built over time, through listening, trust, and shared purpose.
Honouring Children
Every child is sacred, deserving of safety, love, belonging, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Strengthening Families
Children heal best when families are supported, relationships are strengthened, and communities are part of the journey.
Walking Together
Lasting change happens through respectful partnerships built on trust, listening, shared knowledge, and a common commitment to children.
Who We Serve
S.T.A.R.S. specializes in working with children from infancy through eight years of age who have experienced maltreatment, trauma, disrupted attachment or other significant early adversity.
Children may be living with their biological family, extended family or kinship caregivers, foster caregivers, or another approved caregiving arrangement.
S.T.A.R.S. recognizes that a child's behaviour is communication.
Aggression, withdrawal, sleep difficulties, feeding concerns, emotional dysregulation, developmental changes, difficulty trusting adults, attachment concerns and other challenging behaviours may reflect experiences and needs that a young child does not yet have the words to explain.
Our role is to look beneath the behaviour.
S.T.A.R.S. focuses on children 0–8 years of age who meet the following criteria:
1. Confirmed or Suspected Maltreatment
Including:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Chronic neglect
Exposure to domestic violence
Caregiver substance use disorder
Caregiver mental health instability
Multiple placement disruption
Early caregiver separation
2. Trauma-Related Intensive Behaviours
Children may present with:
Severe dysregulation (fight/flight/freeze/collapse patterns)
Active suicidal statements or self-harm behaviours (trauma-based)
Trauma-driven sexualized acting-out behaviours
Aggression linked to fear activation
Night terrors and chronic hyperarousal
Developmental regression following trauma
Placement instability or imminent breakdown
These behaviours are understood as trauma responses, not criminalized conduct.
3. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
Infants under 12 months who:
Have documented NAS
Are medically stable for discharge
Require structured regulatory care
Require RN oversight
Need feeding, sleep, and growth stabilization within a 90-day therapeutic window
A letter from our President:
When we witness the pain in a child’s eyes, it compels us to act. Many of us have worked with children affected by malnutrition, abuse, or trauma, including those impacted by residential schools. These challenges persist across Canada and globally, and their prevalence is increasing.
This is a concern for everyone. Rather than assigning blame, we must focus on learning and determining the best path forward. Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and understood, especially in moments of vulnerability.
The core principle of S.T.A.R.S. is a “Home for the children”, but it is a treatment center which will provide services to babies who have encountered trauma at birth and pre-birth and children up to age 8 who have difficult behaviors that they are struggling with. The child is the center of the program, but the family, next of kin, caregivers, agencies, schools, and communities are included in the well-being of each child.
Unfortunately, there is a significant gap in funding and resources for children 0-8, despite the critical importance of early intervention.
The first years of life are foundational for lifelong learning, health, and emotional well-being. Timely support for children facing trauma or developmental challenges can dramatically improve outcomes for individuals, families, and society.
We must do better. Early intervention is not just prevention - it is compassion in action.
Melody Foster, R.P.N.
Board President
S.T.A.R.S. Children's Home
Every wall, room, and window in this design has been envisioned with care — to offer comfort, stability, and healing to children in need. Your support helps us move one step closer to building this dream. Together, we can create a home that transforms lives.