Today we’d like to introduce you to Persephone Starks.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
**With reference to the neighborhoods drop down above – We are located in multiple neighborhoods throughout the Dallas area. visit https://parentsasteachers.org/program-locator/ for our program locator to assist in finding a program close to you.**
I serve as the State Manager for Texas Parents as Teachers. I oversee the statewide coordination and implementation of Texas Parents as Teachers programs. I support an incredible
team of implementation support specialists—Lauren O’Rourke, Kimberly Claude, and
Elizabeth DeLeon—who work directly with programs to ensure model fidelity and
provide ongoing technical assistance.
My role also includes cultivating partnerships with agencies, funders, and
community organizations. As part of the Expansion Team at Parents as Teachers
National Center, I ensure Texas programs have a strong voice in conversations
about growth and strategy, helping expand the footprint of Parents as Teachers across
the state.
I first learned about Parents as Teachers more than 20 years ago while
working in the Child Guidance Department at a state agency. Over time, my
understanding and love for the Parents as Teachers model grew. I believe that childhood should be a time filled with love, significant attachments, robust experiences of wonder, and ongoing, intentional connections with parents and special people who are meaningfully involved. I have observed firsthand the meaningful and lasting impact that Parents as Teachers has on parent–child relationships, child development, and overall family well-being.
After years of witnessing the model’s impact on families, I was drawn to the Parents as Teachers evidence-based approach and the commitment to empowering parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. Joining Parents as Teachers National Center three years ago felt like a natural next step in my desire to support families and strengthen communities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, the journey has been smooth thanks to the team’s strong collaboration, dedication, and consistent support. We intentionally celebrate successes across all areas, which helps maintain a positive and motivating environment. By keeping a strength-based focus, we can acknowledge what is working well while identifying opportunities for continued growth and development. This approach has allowed us to address challenges proactively and move forward together with shared purpose.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have over 20 years of professional experience in public health, and I hold a Master of Science degree in Family and Child Studies from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences from Portland State University. Throughout my career, I have worked with a variety of programs serving children, families, and communities to address access to quality education, employment opportunities, positive parenting, the prevention of child abuse and neglect, food deserts, diversity and equity, and adult and infant mental health.
Before relocating to Dallas, Texas, in 2020, I served as the Federal Grants Manager for Oklahoma’s Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. In this role, I was responsible for managing MIECHV grant awards used to plan, develop, and implement statewide home visitation programs utilizing evidence-based models such as Parents as Teachers, Nurse-Family Partnership, and SafeCare Augmented.
I have held several rewarding positions that reflect my passion for work that impacts systems and drive positive change. My professional background includes roles as a grants manager, program consultant, policy specialist, and higher education instructor. Prior to joining the Parents as Teachers National Center, I served as the Grants Manager for the WebMD Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), where I managed grants processes for educational activities in collaboration with medical education companies, healthcare-focused nonprofit organizations, professional societies, and other institutions that develop accredited educational programs for healthcare professionals.
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built along the way. I’ve learned that trust and collaboration are what make programs sustainable, and that’s how real progress happens for families. Supporting pathways that help families thrive is what makes this work meaningful to me.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Listening deeply and staying curious makes a huge difference in this work. Just as important is pacing yourself. This work takes time and caring for yourself in addition to caring for others. It is what strengthens the ability to continue supporting families and communities in meaningful ways.
Pricing:
- Parents as Teachers services are at no cost to families. To connect with a program, visit https://parentsasteachers.org/program-locator/, email: texasparentsasteacher.org or call: 314-866-8541.
- If you are interested in launching a Parents as Teachers program in your area, please email: texasparentsasteacher.org or call: 314-866-8541 for a conversation about start-up costs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.txpat.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasparentsasteachers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasparentsasteachers
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-parents-as-teachers/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/texasparentsasteachers/
