Office of Parent and Community Engagement

Parent and Community Engagement

DPS believes that having actively engaged parents is critical to improving student achievement.

Detroit Public Schools, through a performance-driven partnership with Detroit Parent Network, also operates eight parent resource centers that are comfortable spaces for parents and guardians to meet. The centers, which are geographically placed across the city, provide training and resources to parents of DPS students, helping them be involved in their children’s education. This Title I initiative was developed with input from parents and guardians, community leaders and the Detroit Parent Network. It is funded, in part, with a three-year $1.2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

What our parents are saying:

“It was very comfortable and a lot of help. (They are) a big improvement to the school, neighborhood, and even the community.”
-Tamara Simpson, who uses the Parent Resource Center at Marcus Garvey

More about our Parent Resource Centers

Our eight parent resource centers are comfortable community gathering spaces equipped with multiple computers, phones, sofas, small libraries, play areas for children, check-out academic tool kits and more.

We offer expert-led workshops, child care, GED support, job training, support groups, MEAP assistance, book clubs, sessions on Title I programs, college information, coffee talks on parent engagement and other offerings.

The centers are designed to involve, connect and empower parents to help children reach academic success and serve as a hub for training and resources.

January Workshops

January Workshops in the Parent Resource Centers

January 30 – February 3

INVOLVEMENT: Making a difference where it matters

• How can you impact the community you live in?
• The benefits of volunteering
• Parental involvement and the impact on education

What our principals are saying:

Our parents patrol morning/afternoon traffic every morning to make sure our students are safe when crossing Second Avenue in heavy traffic. They volunteer in the building working front desk and in the counseling dept, and they are the welcome committee when needed.  I call-they are here! They work every athletic game from season to season providing food, counseling, transportation and more. Our parents chaperone every field trip or school events both in and out of the city. They even march with our marching band at every event — over 30 marching sessions a year. They support our stakeholders committee monthly meetings. In fact, we have parents in our building every day doing something wonderful!
 -Cass Tech Principal Lisa Phillips

“Thank you so much, I would not have found a job without your help.”
Mr. Abdulhakim Said, who had been out of work for over a year and got computer training so he could conduct online job searches. The staff set him up with an e-mail account and helped him land a job. He frequently visits the center to check his e-mail.

“I think the centers are beautiful! I have an e-mail address now and I’m learning the computer. It is just such a beautiful and relaxing place.”
Radford Mobley, who uses the Parent Resource Center at Brenda Scott

“It was very comfortable and a lot of help. (They are) a big improvement to the school, neighborhood, and even the community.”
Tamara Simpson, who uses the Parent Resource Center at Marcus Garvey

Essence Parish, who visits the Parent Resource Center at Taft daily. She says the staff is very welcoming and warm. They have helped with parenting workshops, getting social work services and assisting with getting boot camp information , and they served as advocates for her when dealing with school administration.

“The Parent Resource Center is a great place to come out and get resources and workshop training and especially Homework Help, to learn how to understand your child’s homework. What I enjoyed the best was the Blueprint Agency, which helped me prepare a resume, and the job search help and computer training.”
Kaili Berry-Burton, who visits the Parent Resource Center at Central High School

“The food box voucher came at a time when I found myself in need of some assistance. I lost my job and I appreciate the assistance. Thank you so much!”
Adama Cunningham, who uses the Parent Resource Center at Cody High School