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Demetrius Starling

Senior Deputy Director

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow Alumni 2024 Cohort 8

West Bloomfield, Michigan

Demetrius Starling is the Senior Deputy Director of the Children’s Services Administration (CSA) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). In this role, he oversees the state’s child welfare system, including Children’s Protective Services (CPS), the foster care system, adoption services, family preservation services, and juvenile justice programs.

Demetrius has worked in the child welfare field for more than 20 years, beginning with his career as a CPS specialist at Wayne County MDHHS office. He has since served in numerous managerial positions at MDHHS, including the director for the Sanilac and St. Clair county offices.

Prior to his appointment as CSA senior deputy director in May 2021, Demetrius served as CSA’s in-home services bureau director overseeing prevention, preservation, and protection programs. During his time at CSA, he has been an integral part of formulating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, human trafficking initiatives, and served on various continuous quality improvement teams.

Stories Featuring Demetrius Starling
September 4, 2024
Aspen Institute Announces 2024 Ascend Fellows
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Ascend Fellows are a community of values-driven leaders who share an unwavering commitment to our shared goal of intergenerational family prosperity and well-being.