INKSTER, Mich., February 23, 2011 – Inkster-based Starfish Family Services (Starfish), a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating brighter futures for the children of at-risk families in metropolitan Detroit, recently received a $10,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Starfish Chief Executive Officer Ann Kalass made the announcement.

The grant was awarded to Starfish to enable the organization to make strategic improvements to its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Developments will be made through the implementation of advanced HighScope Infant-Toddler Training for teachers, and an upgrade to the current HighScope Child Observation Record (COR), from a paper-based structure to a web-based system. These modifications will enhance the success of these programs by yielding better data that can be applied to support children’s educational preparedness. The project is part of Starfish’s comprehensive Early Childhood Plan to drive community-level change for young children in the city of Inkster, Mich.

“We take pride in our ability to provide the best services and care to our families and we are extremely grateful for the generosity and support the Kellogg Foundation has shown us,” said Kalass. “This grant will give us the ability to further improve and update our Head Start programs to meet the needs of our children and the expectations of our families.”

Starfish will execute the objectives of this grant over a duration of 12 months - January 2011 through December 2011.