In an effort to help newcomer students and their families transition to life in Nevada, the Clark County School District in southern Nevada, recently opened a Family Support Center.

The center is aimed at welcoming students and their families, who have recently settled in the United States, enrolled in the district for less than two years, or students identified as an English language learner.  

A variety of services will be offered to students at the Family Support Center, including an orientation about district and school expectations, policies, supports, and resources; specialized programming focused on language and literacy development; and college prep support and higher education resources.

The center will also provide assistance to families, including support with student registration, access to interpreters and translators in different languages to support communication and collaboration with schools, family workshops to support personal growth and student learning at home, and referrals to wraparound services, and health and wellness services.

Local organizations such as Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Workforce Connections, and the Ethiopian Community Development Council-African Community Center will provide support to the center to help newcomer students and their families successfully adjust to their new community, school, academic expectations, and social environment.

“The center includes a one-stop shop for our students and families where healthcare, workforce development, mental health, and immigration support, will be provided,” said Clark County Schools Superintendent Jesus Jara. “The center will work with families and their students to remove barriers to access, and help address newcomer students’ social, physiological, emotional, and linguistic needs to promote academic success.”

Jara also recently created a director-level position to be housed at the center, to support undocumented students and their families in the district.