The Detroit News - Op-Ed published, August 27, 2023 Author: Marisa Nicely - Chief Program Officer at Starfish Family Services In recent years, Michigan, like much of the country, has grappled with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the most pressing challenges is the strain on our state's public mental health system, which was already stretched thin before the pandemic hit. As we navigate the post-pandemic world, the emergence of telehealth has provided a vital support system for countless Michiganians. Telehealth has bridged gaps in care, allowing mental health professionals to connect with those in need. Recent data shows that its effectiveness is undeniable. Especially for residents in rural areas and those facing transportation challenges. It also stands as a testament to our capacity for innovation. And it has ensured that critical services remain accessible to those who need them most. However, the state sees things differently. … [Read more...]
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
The Week of May 7, 2023: Starfish Family Services joins with other providers and families across the nation to lift up Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day & Month! Good mental health is an essential part of the health development of any child. Today, 1 in 5 children struggle with mental health or a learning disorder. At Starfish we support children and families to heal – as well as – build skills and resilience to focus on overall wellness. Building a strong foundation of self-fare and positive coping skills help children, youth, and families stive for mental, emotional, and physical health. Early discovery, diagnosis, and appropriate services for children, youth, and their families make a lasting difference in the health outcomes for everyone. Starfish provides in-person, home-based, and telehealth options with trained mental health professionals. To connect to our Behavioral Health Team directly --- call 800-355-5433. Additional learning resources: … [Read more...]
A Note from our CEO, Roxanne Brinkerhoff: Tragedy at Michigan State University
February 14, 2023: Heartbreak for families & our communities - Time to support one another. Dear Starfish Family, Today – Valentine’s Day – is usually about sharing love and kindness. Yet today my heart is broken rather than celebrating. Yesterday, a shooting at Michigan State University took the lives of three people and left five people injured. This awful and jarring event being so close to home means that we may know someone who was directly impacted or see that there is greater impact to those around us. I also know that MSU is place so many in our broader Starfish family have powerful connections and memories. This is a horrific tragedy for every family, young person, child, or member of the campus community that has been impacted. Our condolences go out to families and friends who are navigating the unimaginable. Our children – all ages – should not have to live in fear when they go to school or off to college. Any space of learning and exploration … [Read more...]
Starfish announces selection of next CEO!
We are so honored to announce the next CEO of Starfish Family Services! Following a national search, unanimous approval from the search committee, and enthusiastic support from the Board of Directors – Roxanne Brinkerhoff has been named the incoming Chief Executive Officer. She will begin her role on January 17, 2023. For more than 20 years, Brinkerhoff has brought significant leadership to children-focused nonprofits. Roxanne is the out-going CEO of Detroit Institute for Children and a past executive at The Guidance Center, a strong and collaborative partner to Starfish. Brinkerhoff considers outgoing Starfish CEO, Ann Kalass, a mentor and the two have worked in partnership in the community for more than a decade. “I am incredibly honored to welcome Roxanne to the CEO role at Starfish,” Kalass shared. “I have witnessed Roxanne to be an unrelenting advocate for families, community, and innovation. She has a powerful determination, and I have no doubt that her … [Read more...]
Juneteenth, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day
Juneteenth, short for June 19, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that enslaved Americans were now free. This came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which became official on January 1, 1863. (Source: https://www.juneteenth.com/history/) On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed into law: S. 475, the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act,” declaring June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day and a federal holiday. It was the first new federal holiday enacted since the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 1983. "Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, or Emancipation Day) is a day to honor and celebrate liberation. The holiday is all about celebrating Black culture, history and life, and bringing people … [Read more...]
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