Karen Bouffard, The Detroit News | Published 7:29 p.m. ET Jan. 1, 2020 Starfish Family Services, a Wayne County-based behavioral health nonprofit, makes 300,000 meals annually for children in their programs, preparing breakfast, lunch and a snack for 719 kids for most weeks of the year.  It’s a Herculean task for head chef Shaune Fairley and his two assistants, who cook the meals every morning at headquarters in Inkster for transport to centers around Southeast Michigan. They do so 41 weeks of the year.  If that's not challenging enough, they work from 60 different menus to accommodate children’s food allergies, and religious or cultural food restrictions. There were 156 kids with food allergies last year, some so severe that their food must be transported separately.  "We have 86 (different food) allergies, diabetics, gluten-free, religious beliefs, lactose, citrus, every kid has a different allergy," said Fairley, noting that each specially … [Read more...]

A Michigan teacher becomes part of a team of people that helps a traumatized boy. Along the way she must rely on her training and strength. Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press 9:00 a.m. EST Dec. 13, 2019 Children in Crisis series: Former Free Press Columnist Rochelle Riley studied how trauma and toxic environments impact how children learn. She unravels this issue through the eyes of three children and their caregivers in Detroit, Romulus and Flint. And she offers some solutions to ensure that children are mentally prepared to learn. Young students who have suffered trauma or adverse experiences typically get either no help, little help, or, if they’re lucky, help from special angels. In the case of Michael, whose learning was impeded by trauma, his angel was Amanda Beck. She was his social worker, his guardian’s confidante and his teacher’s support. It was not an easy job. The first time she met Michael, she had to take the next day off from work. “I could … [Read more...]

ESTELLE SLOOTMAKER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2019SECOND WAVE -- MICHIGAN This article is part of State of Health, a series examining integrated care and its potential to improve Michiganders' health. It is made possible with funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. A new trend in pediatric care – offering behavioral health care at the pediatrician’s office – could not only cut costs but also create healthier, happier communities in the future. “We know children eventually grow up and become adults,” says Michelle Duprey, director of integrated healthcare at Inkster-based Starfish Family Services. “Children with undetected medical and behavioral needs become adults who have more extensive and expensive medical and behavioral needs.” The costs communities incur as a result aren’t limited to providing care. Adults with untreated mental health issues may find it difficult to hold onto family or relationships, and even harder to hold down a job. Communities not only lose … [Read more...]

PUBLISHED JUNE 26, 2019 BY ERIN EINHORN - CHALKBEAT It was a Friday morning in early May, just before Mother’s Day, when a group of preschool teachers settled onto oversized pillows and colorful beanbags for a conversation that would lead to tears, frustration and — eventually —  a sense of clarity on a delicate matter involving a child.  Karen Massingille, a preschool behavioral health therapist, sat on a tiny child’s chair, looking at the nine women seated around her in a cozy, carpeted corner of the sunlit room. She took a few deliberate breaths, then started to speak. “It’s Mother’s Day,” she said. “Anybody have any plans?” Her question seemed like a lighthearted inquiry and, indeed, it led at first to answers about planned barbecues and family gatherings. But Massingille’s goal was not lighthearted conversation. She wanted these teachers to talk about mothers — the ones in their own lives, and the ones in the lives of their students. She … [Read more...]