For Families

The NCS Connects program is a specialized program providing improved access to health, wellness

, and family support services. The program addresses barriers to learning such as inadequate family

involvement, social and health services, and encouragement of a link between home, school, and the

NCS Connects program activities/services include but are not limited to the following:

Quarterly workshop series related to Preparing for Parent/Teacher Conferences, Navigating the

Special Education System, Positive Peer Relationships and more. Programs are offered annually

during the academic year. Watch for more information as programs are scheduled throughout the

academic year.

NCS Connects supports the essential needs of students coming to school experiencing food and

clothing insecurity or access to hygiene, everyday items critical to student success as, left unattended,

become barriers for youth. Inadequate nutrition, clothing, or cleanliness leaves students unable to

focus on their academic success. The NCS Connects program is able to meet these needs

through its Community Cupboards school-based pantry, established in partnership with the RI

Community Food Bank, in real-time, and return student attention to classroom curriculum. Having the pantry on-site helps quickly address the issue.

In partnership with Newport Public Schools, Thompson Middle School, and Rogers High School,

the NCS Connects program supports all of Newport Public School’s secondary homeless

students/families through the McKinney-Vento program. The NCS Connects program staff ensures

educational rights and protection of students who lack fixed/adequate nighttime residence with

family intake, student and family services monitoring services, and progress of students and

families.

The NCS Connects program staff produces multilingual materials that support positive connections

between school, home and community including Parent Tip sheets, resource materials in partnership

with others related to housing, family support services and newsletters highlighting school

information/ events, Open House, Student Orientation and Newcomer events.

For more information about the NCS Connects program, please contact the NCS Connects Program Coordinator

Krystal Montanez

krystalmontanez@npsri.net