Wendell Starling is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Star Support Solutions, bringing decades of experience, leadership, and personal commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

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Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wendell graduated from Germantown High School. In 1975, he joined the United States Coast Guard, where he had the distinguished opportunity to serve in the Presidential Honor Guard for President Gerald Ford. His military experience helped shape the leadership, discipline, dedication, and commitment to service that he continues to demonstrate throughout his career.

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Wendell began his career working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the early 1990s in Silver Spring, Maryland. While working at an institution, Wendell became involved in redesigning a program for individuals who experienced significant behavioral challenges. Through this experience, he began to recognize an important need: individuals with disabilities deserved greater opportunities to experience life beyond the walls of an institution and to develop meaningful connections within their communities.

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Wendell was granted clearance to take individuals assigned to his unit into the community. Although he faced challenges and resistance along the way, he remained committed to creating opportunities for individuals to participate in community activities and experience greater social integration. His early work helped shape his belief that people with disabilities should have opportunities to be active participants in their communities rather than being defined by the environments in which they receive services.

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Wendell's connection to the developmental disability community became even more personal when his oldest daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Becoming the parent of a child with a disability gave Wendell a deeper understanding of the experiences, concerns, and challenges families face while advocating for and supporting their loved ones.

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This personal experience strengthened his commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are treated with dignity, respect, compassion, and understanding. It also gave Wendell a unique perspective—not only as a professional who has worked directly with individuals with disabilities, but also as a parent who understands the importance of having trusted, knowledgeable, and compassionate support.

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Throughout his career, Wendell has continued to expand his knowledge and professional expertise. He became a certified Life Quality Coach and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), further developing his understanding of person-centered support, quality of life, behavioral needs, and meaningful community participation.

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Wendell and his wife, Dana Davis, share a strong commitment to creating better opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Their shared experiences, both professionally and personally, ultimately led them to establish Star Developmental Services and later expand their vision through Star Support Solutions.

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As Vice President of Star Support Solutions, Wendell brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and lived perspective to the organization. He is passionate about helping individuals build independence, strengthen community connections, develop meaningful relationships, and have opportunities to live lives that reflect their own choices, interests, and goals.  Wendell believes that meaningful support begins with seeing the person first and creating opportunities for every individual to participate, belong, and thrive in their community.

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His commitment to Star Support Solutions is reflected in the organization's vision:

Supporting Independence. Building Pathways. Creating Possibilities.