Detroit Creates Youth and Education Department to Tackle Student Challenges

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced Thursday that the city will launch a Youth and Education Department within its government structure. This fulfills a promise she made during her campaign to prioritize young people and their schooling.

Dr. Chanel Hampton will become the city's first senior director of youth and education. She'll act as the mayor's official education liaison. Jerjuan Howard, a young leader who started a debate nonprofit, was appointed director of youth affairs.

"If we want Detroit to rise higher, which we all do, we know that the next step is how we really invest in our young people and how we continue to improve education in our city," Sheffield said during a news conference at the Heilmann Recreation Center, as shared by MLive.

The new department plans to tackle chronic absenteeism. It will work on better transportation coordination so students can get to school without trouble. Recreation centers will expand after-school programs, and the team will help families facing social problems. The city's Office of Early Learning is expected to return.

Hampton explained that the department will serve youth from birth through age 26. Strategies will cover early childhood, K-12 education, college access, career pathways, workforce development, and civic engagement. During the first 100 days, the team will hold listening sessions with community members, meet with school leaders, and host an education and youth forum.

"We have a duty as a city to ensure we can say the children are well," Hampton said. "When we are asked, 'How are the children?' we can confidently and joyfully respond, 'The children are well.'"

Many students in Detroit attend Detroit Public Schools Community District, while others go to charter schools. Sheffield clarified that the mayor doesn't control the school system but believes the city can become a stronger partner.

"Our city government has a rightful role to play — not to duplicate or to seek control, but to partner, to collaborate, and to work together to ensure that every young person in this city gets the future that they deserve," she said, as shared by MLive.

Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District, called the announcement "an exciting time in the city's history," MLive reported. He pointed to enrollment growth after decades of decline and improving academic outcomes. Collaboration around attendance and support services is critical, he added.

Howard said youth must have a seat at the table. "Changes should not happen to our youth, but happen with our youth," he stated. "They should become the engineers of their own reality."

Sheffield said the department will operate within her current budget. A separate proposal related to absenteeism will require City Council approval at a later date.