Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone

The Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone (NFCOZ) is a member of a network of ten COZ sites across the state. COZs follow the national community schools model, creating partnerships among families, schools, and the community to coordinate comprehensive academic, social and health/wellness services for students and their families, resulting in improved educational outcomes for children. Opportunities for families to get involved increase family participation in their child’s school and education. Supportive services are provided to families on site at the school, and extended learning opportunities allow students to try new activities, learn new skills, develop social and emotional competencies, and meet new friends.

CHAMPION CHILDCARE PROGRAM AT PELL 2024-2025 – REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Before and after school licensed childcare on site at Pell is available for students in Kindergarten through grade 4.  Before school care opens at 6:30 a.m. and after school care closes at 6 p.m.  To access our online Enrollment form, click here. 

People We Serve

Services offered by the NFCOZ are available for all children from birth to grade four and their families residing in Newport, RI. Experienced youth development staff work with children to develop the skills that they need to be successful in school. Fun family activities and high quality and high interest before and after school programs, vacation camps, and summer leaning opportunities help students and families to become more engaged with their school. Engaged students have better attendance and are more motivated to succeed in school. Programs allow students to practice new skills and expand their learning while receiving support. Staff are well-versed in community resources and help families to make connections to essential services. A five star rated (brightstars.org) high quality licensed childcare program before and after school enables families to work or attend school knowing that their child is well taken care of.

Key Features

School readiness opportunities for preschool age children that are designed to ensure that children are ready for school success. We collaborate with Newport and Middletown Public Schools and EBCAP to improve access to high quality early childhood programs and services.

School age services include the 21st Century Community Learning Center (CLC) which provides comprehensive out of school time programs such as before and after school programs, school vacation week camps, and the Summer Learning Academy; which is designed to expand learning time throughout the school day/year with intensive academic support, blended with physical activity, cultural, recreational, artistic, service learning enrichment opportunities, and the Champion Childcare Program at Pell which is a five star licensed before and after school childcare program offered daily during the school year.

Family programs including the Family Service Coordination Program in Newport, connect parents with essential community resources, improve parenting skills, provide educational opportunities, help families to be more involved in their children’s education, encourage daily school attendance, assist children with transitions, and reduce social isolation. Fun family activities, coordinated by the NFCOZ at Pell, such as the annual Pumpkin Fest, Multicultural Night, Literacy Night, and Penny Carnival provide opportunities for parents to be involved.

The Backpack Feeding Program provides a weekly bag of food for enrolled children on the weekend when food can be scarce for families. This program serves 125 students during the school year at Pell Elementary School in Newport and has now expanded to support students in Middletown.

You can also find us on the Newport Public Schools website.

Location(s) of the Program

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday, 6:30 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

• Before School Childcare open from 6:30 A.M. – 8:45 A.M.
• Community Learning Center after school enrichment programs operate from school dismissal – 5:00 P.M.
• After School Childcare operates from school dismissal – 6:00 P.M.

How to Enroll

For more information or to register/enroll, contact a member of the NFCOZ Management Team at 401-842-1925 and press the extension below:

• Christine Arouth, NFCOZ Director x1, christinearouth@npsri.net
• Taylor Ardito, Family Services Manager x3, taylorfrazier@npsri.net
• Mark McKenna, Family Service Coordinator x4, markmckenna@npsri.net
• Heather Hinckley, Champion Childcare Coordinator x6, heatherhinckley@npsri.net 
• Erin Hallene, OST Manager x7, erinhallene@npsri.net
• Shaday Viruet, CLC Site Coordinator x7, shadayviruet@npsri.net (Spanish speaking)

How You Can Help

The NFCOZ is funded through federal, state, local grants, and private foundations. We also welcome donations and sponsorship.

To make a donation to the Backpack Feeding Program, click here.