This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy.
While the upbeat music played on Jerrica Mickens’ cellphone, she tirelessly searched for affordable housing options for a Detroit parent. For nearly 50 minutes, Mickens was on a three-way call with a mother and a legal aide hotline in her office at Central High School on the morning of April 21, as she waited for an answer about the mother’s housing issues. Mickens took the opportunity to inquire about other needs, offering support with groceries, clothing for children, and mental health services.
As one of nine navigators in the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), Mickens plays a vital role in the district’s 10 Health Hubs. Since their launch in 2023, these hubs have significantly contributed to improving school attendance and supporting thousands of families, according to district officials.
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Mickens’ dedication serves as a crucial support system for families facing challenges. “My passion is serving people,” she said. “So if that’s what a person needs, then I’m gonna be here for that.”
Navigators help families navigate a complex array of resources, from district services to nonprofit assistance. They address issues like poor health, unstable housing, and food insecurity—all factors that can prevent students from attending school regularly. The hubs offer vision and hearing screenings, medical and dental care, and mental health services, as well as access to housing, utility assistance, and legal aid. They also distribute food and hygiene products.
Between July 1, 2023, and June 14, the hubs served families 19,200 times, making over 1,100 referrals. “We know that for students to show up ready to learn and focus on their academics, their basic health and well-being needs must be met first,” said Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. “Schools are the natural, trusted, and most convenient hub for families to access these vital resources.”
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Chronic absenteeism has been a persistent challenge in Detroit schools, exacerbated by socioeconomic barriers, which significantly hinder students’ learning. In Michigan, a student is deemed chronically absent if they miss 18 or more days in a 180-day school year. During the 2024-25 school year, almost 61% of DPSCD students were chronically absent, a figure notably higher than the statewide average of 28%. Despite this, DPSCD has made strides in reducing absenteeism post-pandemic.
District officials believe the hubs, along with other long-term initiatives, have played a pivotal role in this progress. Efforts such as fostering a culture of attendance improvement among leaders, increasing counseling services, and implementing student incentives have been key contributors.
Sylvia Jarrus for Chalkbeat
Last year, the absenteeism rate in the district fell by 5.2 percentage points compared to the 2022-23 school year, before the hubs were established. This improvement coincided with academic performance gains, including a boost in third-grade reading proficiency and graduation rates.
“K-12 students who accessed the Health Hubs during the 2024–25 school year had better average daily attendance and lower rates of chronic absenteeism than students who did not access the Hubs,” said Vitti, though he didn’t provide detailed numbers.
Jaiden Mabins, a recent Osborn High School graduate, credits Mickens’ support for his improved attendance and future plans. In 10th grade, Mabin’s home was destroyed by fire, forcing him to live far from school, which affected his attendance. “Ms. Jerrica, she helped us find a new place, still close in the neighborhood for school,” said Mabins.
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Mickens assisted Mabins with new clothes, school supplies, and a laptop. She also guided him through the financial aid application process for college.
Addressing Detroit families’ needs beyond the school day
At Central High School, 17-year-old Jeremy McKinney visited Mickens’ office in need of a new pair of glasses. His were stolen, so Mickens added him to a nonprofit’s waiting list for a replacement pair. Since the hubs opened, around 185 pairs of glasses have been distributed to district students.
As Mickens packed groceries for families, she continued responding to parents’ calls. “Oh Lord Jesus, I hope I can help her,” she said about a mother whose home was flooded. Mickens knew of an organization that could provide new beds for the children and assist with transportation and clothing needs.
Unlike previous efforts, the hubs streamline the process of connecting families with resources. Navigators like Mickens engage in meaningful conversations with families, keeping detailed case notes and tracking services provided by external organizations.
The hubs are strategically located so that every school is within three miles of a hub. Mickens oversees 10 feeder schools in addition to Central and Durfee Elementary-Middle School, visiting other schools twice a week to engage with school staff about family needs.
Currently, hubs are located in 10 DPSCD schools, with plans for new locations in the upcoming years. The operational cost of each hub is approximately $500,000 annually, but community donations reduce the district’s expense to about $172,000 per year per hub.
Modeled after successful programs in New York City and Oakland Unified School District, DPSCD’s hubs are expected to show similar benefits in attendance and academic performance, with a third-party evaluation underway to assess their impact.
Sylvia Jarrus for Chalkbeat
Later in the day at Central, Mickens provided snacks to a student between classes and inquired about his participation in a dental program. She learned he would soon leave the school due to personal circumstances, offering words of comfort without judgment.
Mickens relates to the challenges faced by the students she supports, having dropped out of Central High School in ninth grade due to a lack of necessary social services. “A lot of it was because of the disconnect of social services that I needed,” she said. “I have a heart to not let kids go through what I have.”
Hannah Dellinger covers Detroit schools for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
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