The Children's Center uses digital signage to reach families

By AI, Created 11:31 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Detroit nonprofit says Carousel Digital Signage has helped it communicate events, share foster care opportunities and strengthen brand consistency across its community spaces. The rollout has coincided with stronger event attendance and a more welcoming lobby experience for children and families.

Why it matters: - The Children’s Center is using lobby screens to reach families who may not have reliable internet, devices or consistent email access. - The setup helps the Detroit nonprofit share program information and foster parent opportunities in a place where families already are. - The digital signage also supports a calmer, less clinical environment for children who have experienced trauma.

What happened: - The Children’s Center, a Detroit nonprofit, uses Carousel Digital Signage to deliver information about events, programs and foster care notices. - Rachel Eaton joined The Children’s Center in February 2025 as manager of marketing and communications. - Eaton brought digital signage experience from a prior role at a major university, where she worked with a team that partnered with Carousel. - The Children’s Center had already discussed using its lobby TVs for digital signage before Eaton pushed the idea forward.

The details: - The Children’s Center provides behavioral health services, child welfare services and family support programs. - The organization previously relied heavily on printed flyers and social media managed by philanthropy staff and interns. - Eaton said on-site communication is critical because many programs and events are not public-facing. - Eaton also said email and social media alone would leave gaps because not all families have reliable access to the internet or devices. - The digital signage system is designed to do two things at once: share information and show familiar, comforting content for children. - The lobby screens can display both cartoons and messaging at the same time. - Eaton said a simple slideshow would not have been enough. The team needed scheduling, organization and flexibility. - Carousel was selected because it lets one person upload content, schedule it and let it run without constant management. - Eaton said competing options were less expensive but did not support running video and messaging simultaneously. - The platform also stood out for support, testing and guidance during setup.

Between the lines: - The move reflects a broader shift from ad hoc communication to a more structured marketing strategy. - Eaton said the organization has built more consistent branding across channels since she arrived. - Stronger communication appears to be translating into higher community engagement, including record attendance at the Health and Wellness Fair, Trunk or Treat and Back-to-School Backpack Bazaar. - The split-screen lobby approach shows the organization is treating the physical environment itself as part of its communications strategy, not just a backdrop.

What’s next: - The Children’s Center appears set to keep using Carousel as a core channel for community updates and foster care outreach. - Eaton’s focus remains on maintaining automated, on-brand messaging with limited staff time and resources. - The organization is likely to keep building on its event and branding gains as the marketing function matures.

The bottom line: - For The Children’s Center, digital signage is not just a screen. It is a practical way to inform families, support children and make the lobby feel more welcoming.