The turning of the calendar to a new year sparks a new beginning. Adults typically take this opportunity to make resolutions for positive change---like being more active, eating more fruits and veggies. But what about kids? Helping your children to embrace positive energy can never start too early. Making resolutions is a great interactive activity to do with your children. If the word "resolution" sounds too intimidating, talk about setting goals---goals that are realistic. And have some fun! Kids love being involved in decision-making and charting their success. Depending on their age, create a sticker chart together or maybe experiment with flavors of vegetable smoothies that everyone can try. Encouraging your child to build healthy skills and habits now will carry well into adulthood. Below find some suggestions for age-appropriate New Year’s resolutions for kids adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Preschool children I’ll pick up my toys and put stuff away … [Read more...]
Marygrove Early Childhood Education Center names first principal
Sherri Welch, Crain’s Detroit Business | Published online January 4, 2021 Starfish Family Services has named Celina Byrd as its first principal of the Marygrove Early Childhood Education Center set to open this fall on the former Marygrove College campus. The center, which broke ground in November 2019, is taking shape as part of a cradle-to-career education concept on the northwest Detroit campus. The Troy-based Kresge Foundation committed $50 million to the concept and efforts in the surrounding neighborhood and led development of the campus plan. It spurred creation of the Marygrove Conservancy in 2018 to keep the campus from going dark and the P-20 plan with partners including the Marygrove Conservancy, Starfish Family Services, Detroit Public Schools Community District and the University of Michigan School of Education. Byrd, who joined Starfish in 2014, has led the Marygrove ECE project for Starfish as project director for the last two years, overseeing curriculum … [Read more...]
Starfish Blog: Don’t “table” Thanksgiving because of COVID.
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for joyous celebrations and coming together of family and friends. This year we're right in the middle of the three-week pandemic pause---and with safe-health distancing, it's going to look very different. Because the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving 2020 is to celebrate at home with the people you live with. As a result, our stress levels will probably be higher than usual. And that's okay. Below are some tips and tools to help you and your family navigate "a new normal" during during the holidays. (Compiled by Starfish Trauma Informed Care Specialist Alice Santa, MSCP, TLLP. Materials adapted from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network and Connecticut Children's.) Parents & Caregivers: Taking care of YOU will increase your patience with your children & ease their distress. Allow yourself to feel sad, worried, or angry.Do something to take care of yourself.Listen to your favorite song.Take some deep breaths.Go on a … [Read more...]
Caring for kids: Advocating for the mental and physical care of children
On this monthly radio program, The Children’s Foundation President and CEO Larry Burns talks to community, government and business leaders about issues related to children’s health and wellness. Guests for this discussion were Ann Kalass, CEO, Starfish Family Services; Tom Lewand, CEO, Marygrove Conservancy; and Shannon Wilson, Director of Medicaid Outreach and Quality, Priority Health. Here’s a summary of the show that aired October 27, 2020; listen to the entire episode, and archived episodes, at yourchildrensfoundation.org/caring-for-kids. Larry Burns: Please give us an update on Starfish. Ann Kalass: We are excited about the educational work that’s happening on the Marygrove campus and to be the early childhood provider for that. The second program I’d like to update you on is our Nurse-Family Partnership, a home visitation program that partners nurses with first- time pregnant mothers to help ensure great birth outcomes. We’re helping both parent and child … [Read more...]
In Solidarity, Not Silence
Message from Board Chair Janet Lawson & CEO Ann Kalass: In these troubling times, we lean on our Starfish core values of compassion and respect. And we look to our Starfish community for guidance as our hearts cry out for justice. Starfish Family Services stands resolute in our mission of strengthening families to create brighter futures for children. Our beloved founder Ouida Cash built the foundation for an inclusive and humble Starfish community. Ouida believed that staff should walk hand in hand, alongside Starfish families, recognizing we can learn as much from our families as they can learn from us. Never before has it been so important to listen and learn. To feel each other’s hearts. To contribute to healing and creating a community and country where our Black colleagues, friends, and families can thrive without fear and prejudice due to the color of their skin. Our hearts ache for the continued acts of hatred, murder, and violence against the Black … [Read more...]
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