Ten years of supporting educators, caregivers, and young children in Detroit

For a decade, ParentCorps has partnered with Starfish Family Services, a social services agency and Head Start program in Detroit. In that time, Starfish has taken ParentCorps’ parenting program – a combination support and education group for the families of young children – and implemented it successfully and sustainably across their system. This week, we want to share some reflections from the Starfish team on the tremendous benefits they’ve seen for the children and families that they work with. 

The program works like this: once a week, for 12 weeks, experienced child and family clinicians who work at Starfish facilitate ParentCorps for the families of children who attend early childhood education programming at their sites across the Detroit metro area. The program is open to any adult in a young child’s life. “That could be mom or dad, grandma, grandpa, an older sibling,” explained Katy Stokes, a supervisor for the infant and early childhood mental health consultants at Starfish, “Anyone who is a caregiver in a child’s life is welcome to attend.” 

Families are invited to drop in to the group at any time during the 12 weeks. “It really is intended to meet people where they are at, and to be responsive when parents are looking for some extra support,” Stokes said.

The program comes with a manual that we at ParentCorps have developed and improved over the last 25 years. Each week delves into a different topic: culture and parenting, mealtime, and supporting children through big feelings, to name a few. During each session, parents are invited to share candidly and authentically with each other. The goal is that caregivers can feel less isolated through the challenges and joys that parenting a young child brings. 

“A lot of parents may come first for the strategies because they might like the topic or be interested in learning more,” Stokes shared, “But most stay because they find a sense of support and they find a community when they come.”

During the 2024-2025 school year, Starfish’s entire team of mental health consultants received training in how to facilitate ParentCorps, enabling them to offer seven groups during the fall and winter, with four to five planned for the spring. On a well-attended day, there can be 10-12 participants in the room. “Our vision is for every family who attends one of our [early childhood education] centers to have access to a parenting group,” Stokes said, “If they want it.”

At ParentCorps we (obviously) believe in this program – we also have evidence that it works. Rigorous trials show that ParentCorps’ full model – including professional development and programming for children and families –  leads to a 24% lower risk of reading below grade level in Kindergarten, 50% lower risk of mental health problems in elementary school, greater parental involvement in their children’s learning, and more. 

Here are some of the ways ParentCorps has done all this and more for the children and families at Starfish. 

“We had a consistent core group which made the space feel intimate and safe. They were ready to dive into heavy stuff and made so many connections together. Each of these caregivers wanted to give their children (and grandchildren) a different experience than they had received, they just struggled knowing how to at times. They were delighted to have that in common and were so ready to talk about how race, culture, and identity is baked into their version of parenting.”

-Tessa Miller, Starfish Parenting Program Facilitator 

“ParentCorps was an opportunity for parents to come together to share their thoughts and feelings regarding parenting struggles and not feel judged. Parents would reflect on their childhood and learn that others shared some of the same experiences as well. Parents felt safe to not only discuss parenting challenges, but also to openly share how they are feeling as a person in that moment. The group offered a chance for parents to learn from each other and gain insight in hopes of being a better person and parent.”

- Shanon Parish, Starfish Parenting Program Facilitator

“One session that stands out was our session on responding to tantrums. There was a great conversation and quiet, reflective moments. The content really hit home for everyone in the room, and it felt like an “Aha!” moment. I was so grateful for their open-mindedness and willingness to consider how to incorporate different strategies into their parenting. Their vulnerability and the stories they shared created an experience where no one felt alone in their struggles or successes with their kids.”

- Melissa Puskar, Starfish Parenting Program Facilitator 

“I love reflecting with caregivers on childhood. Many were taught “do what I say,” which left them feeling they had no voice. They want a different experience for their kids. And the group sharing – like one dad who makes time to play with his daughters a little everyday because he hears the best stories when they are playing. Or a mom who grew up in foster care without a lot of routine reflecting on how hard it can be to be flexible now as a parent. We learn from good and bad past experiences and work to bring those lessons into parenting.”

- Kree Bayne, Starfish Parenting Program Facilitator 

“One parent shared about having to advocate for her daughter in court, not being listened to in court, and not getting the outcome she hoped for. Another couple shared their own experience and offered support to this mom. By the end of the group, they had exchanged numbers so they could stay in touch and continue to support each other. It was amazing to see how the group formed such a supportive space for these parents, who still plan to continue meeting together even after the program is over.”

- Bailey Deppong, Starfish Parenting Program Facilitator 

“In our groups, we openly reflect on the impact of culture and race on our experiences. One of our moms shared in the group about having “colorblind” values as she raises her biracial son. A dad in our group, who is also biracial, openly shared some of his experiences growing up. Through his sharing and gentle challenging, this mom began to develop a whole new perspective that helped her grow as a parent. It was all very authentic and non-judgmental because of the space we had created together.”

- Rachel LePage, Starfish Parenting Program Facilitator

“A special moment happened when one of our moms with a child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder shared her struggles. She turned to another mom in the group and thanked her because the other mom’s son had been a friend who accepted her child when he was having a difficult time transitioning to school. These two moms cried together and shared that it's not easy raising little ones, and bonded over how they are both just doing the best they can.”

- Sarah Slimak, Starfish Parenting Program Facilitator

We look forward to another year of deep impact and relationship building with parents and caregivers in partnership with Starfish Family Services! 

Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven is the ParentCorps Communications Specialist