Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District, Inc, 10441 Corporate Dr, # 1, Gulfport, MS 39503, US

As a private, non-profit organization, STARC has helped thousands of people since we started nearly 35 years ago. While we've grown over the years, our services still involve individuals reaching out to individuals to connect with the ability that lies behind the disability. You could say that we're in the business of building independence, day by day and step by step.STARC was founded in 1972 by Laura Delaup with two other mothers after her eight-month-old daughter, Heaven, was bitten by a mosquito and contracted encephalitis. The disease left Heaven developmentally disabled, and she became one of three original STARC participants. Today, STARC's east and west divisions serve over 700 individuals and their families in St. Tammany, Washington, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes at any given time.