ABOUT CCF
Established in 1995 as part of The Rhode Island Foundation Children’s Initiative, CCF continues to be a leader in Woonsocket on child and family issues.
Connecting for Children & Families is a community-based, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization located in Woonsocket Rhode Island.
Our Mission
The mission of Connecting for Children and Families is to serve Woonsocket and Northern Rhode Island by providing family-centered programs and educational opportunities that empower children, families, and individuals to thrive and succeed
Our Vision
We envision Woonsocket and Northern Rhode Island as a strong and uplifting community. Here, every person can thrive. Our vision is a community that works collectively to eliminate inequities; a community that is always listening and constantly evolving to more intentionally serve its members; and a community that takes care of each other so that every person achieves success.
Woonsocket is a Child Opportunity Zone (COZ)
Rhode Island's Full Service Community School Initiative
CCF has been designated by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) as Woonsocket’s Child Opportunity Zone (COZ). This Full-Service Community School initiative has been operating for the past 26 years as a major part of RIDE’s educational strategy to ensure students do well in school.
You can learn more by clicking the RIDE logo.
CCF promotes school readiness and academic success by coordinating educational, health, and social services for students and their families, using the schools as a hub for these services.
Since 1994, COZ sites across ten Rhode Island communities (including the five core urban cities) have been providing integrated social services to students and their families attending high poverty schools with a focus on six key areas: early childhood initiatives, after-school/extended day learning opportunities, adult and family literacy activities, health services, parent and family involvement, and community engagement. Each COZ site is unique and bases its coordinated programs on the needs and resources of its schools and community.
Founded on the same guiding principles, each COZ Site leads the design of services to meet the needs of its school-based community encompassing the following areas: children's learning environments, physical and mental health, economic opportunity, and family support and engagement.
Our statewide Full-Service Community School Initiative has established program performance standards that ensure consistency across all 10 sites. However, at the same time, COZs are community-based, with the flexibility to address local needs that often vary from community to community. Annually the COZ sites serve over 14,000 children and their families.
Learn more about our team, and why they love CCF:
Meet the Team
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Erin Spaulding
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
espaulding@ccfcenter.org -
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Daniel Quinn
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
dquinn@ccfcenter.org -
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Beth Lobdell
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
blobdell@ccfcenter.org -
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Sandra Costa
DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL-LINKED PROGRAMS
scosta@ccfcenter.org -
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Marisa Gallagher
DIRECTOR OF CHILDCARE
mgallagher@ccfcenter.org -
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Denise Shavers, M.Ed.
DIRECTOR OF PARENTS AS TEACHERS
dshavers@ccfcenter.org
Board of Directors
Lisa Carcifero, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition, Chairperson
Cynthia Kelly, Santander Bank, Treasurer
Ericka Moore, Vice-Chairperson
Meka Hamilton Gendron, Secretary
Nancy Giambusso
Sharon Harmon
Ida Jagne
Kwang Baek
Kathy Orovitz, Navigant Credit Union
Karen Chiappinelli, Amica Insurance
Stacey Phommatheth, Federal Hill House Association
Shawnee Tavares
Patrick Burns, Fidelity Investments
Randi Skodras, Citizens Bank
Kevin Hazebrouck, BankRI
Cathy Carvalho, Woonsocket Public Schools
Major Funders
An investment with CCF represents a partnership in creating a more independent, educated, and productive future for residents of Woonsocket. Outcomes continue to demonstrate that CCF programs have a positive impact—whether it is improving a child’s reading proficiency or improving the quality of life for the families we serve, and you can be a part of that positive impact, too! Pictured below are graduates of our NRI Career Academy Workforce Training. Because of your support, families are set up for success!
