Technical Assistance – STARS Technical Assistance (TA) is a specialized consultation service available to support the programs in the Keystone STARS quality improvement program who are working to achieve higher STARS levels. Technical assistance may take many forms, including individualized and on-site assistance to facilities aimed at helping them achieve a specified knowledge area of performance expectation of the Keystone STARS Performance Standards. Early Connections sponsors the regions’ lead consultant for this program. Sites that utilize technical assistance have been found to move more quickly through the STARS system and to develop internal policies of continuous quality improvement.