STAR Program

The STate Activation and Response (STAR) technical assistance program developed by NACDD’s Center for Public Health Leadership is designed to enhance the capacity of state chronic disease departments to develop, implement, and evaluate their programs.

STAR Framework

The STAR framework consists of six distinct spokes that together enable the chronic disease unit to function optimally. These spokes represent practice areas, based on the literature on evidence-based public health practice and public health accreditation. The components are:

Evidence-Based Public Health Practice focuses on using evidence-based public health practice and decision-making.

Leadership emphasizes facilitating an inclusive and collective voice for the prevention and control of chronic disease and the advancement of health equity.

Management and Administration centers on effectiveness of management policies.

Climate and Culture encompasses fostering an inclusive culture that supports a diverse workforce, employee wellness, and innovation.

Partnerships and Relationships emphasizes trusting working relationships with diverse partners.

Workforce Development encompasses employing a strategic and systematic approach to learning and professional development.

"In all my years of public health work, I have never been part of a process that has given my staff so much energy to continue to improve. STAR was a great return on investment for our team."
Bruce Adkins
Director, Office of Community Health Systems and Health Promotion West Virginia Bureau for Public Health
“[STAR]…opened doors to go down different paths and address issues we knew were underneath the surface. It gave us a reason to address those issues."
“[STAR]…helped us focus in places that we wouldn’t have gone and accelerated where we were already going."

Careers at NACDD

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