About

NYCDOE Substance Abuse Prevention/Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) have partnered with Connect with Kids in order to provide online evidence-based streaming video and print resources in support of social and emotional learning and lifelong success… in and outside of school.

SAPIS are like New York City educational firefighters, often the first to respond to students in need. The situation at hand might involve substance abuse, risky behaviors, a school fight, a failed test, or simply times when teachers, parents and students don’t see eye to eye. Each and every day, caring NYCDOE SAPIS “put out the fires,” providing the support and guidance to help modify behaviors. Substance abuse is a crisis among young people nationwide, affecting school performance, drop out rates and the life-long ability of students to succeed in the workforce and as citizens.

This site provides to SAPIS, their students and the school community evidence-based Connect with Kids resources to help tackle those challenges.

About Connect with Kids

Founded in 1998, Connect with Kids, Inc. is an instructional media company that produces video documentary programs for television, and evidenced-based, multimedia programs for schools with a focus on student behavior, social and emotional well-being, and parent engagement. Using the power of storytelling and peer-to-peer learning, Connect with Kids programs spark emotional connections and inspire positive behavior among students and cultural change within schools and communities. Connect with Kids owns one of the nation’s largest non-fiction multimedia libraries, with more than 6,000 hours of video featuring real kids and teens sharing their real stories, as well as leading experts sharing practical and proven advice. Our video resources — complete with educational curricula — address topics such as bullying prevention; drug and alcohol prevention; academic motivation; life skills and character development; health and wellness; attendance; career readiness, and more.

Research and Methodology
Connect with Kids has been designated an “Effective Producer” of programs by the U.S. Department of Education and appears on the prestigious U.S. Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse List. Research shows that schools using Connect with Kids programs experience:

  • A decrease in physical and verbal aggressive behaviors among students.
  • A decrease in the likelihood of students using drugs and alcohol.
  • An increase in positive social and emotional behaviors among students.
  • Improved communication among students, teachers and parents.