The Comprehensive School-Age Parenting Program, Inc

Changes Its Name To:

KeySteps, Inc: Youth Achievement, Resillence, and Success Since 1978

Youth Achievement, Resilience and Success Since 1978

Our steadfast commitment remains the same: To help all youth to complete school, go on to post high school training, higher education and employment–to take KeySteps to ensure they are not left behind as our society requires increased competency in the workplace and the home.

Our Masters level, licensed staff, with collective experience of over sixty years of working with at-risk youth, offers a cost effective system of care that encourages even the highest risk youth to persevere, to achieve educational objectives that will positively shape future life choices and inspire hope for the future.

Our KeySteps Board of Directors has demonstrated tenacity and dedication over the years to the mission and growing success of the organization's programs. This combination of leadership and board dedication has built a foundation of achievement and a reputation in the education community.

Moreover, thanks to the diligent efforts and extensive input of our staff, Board, community members and Branding Committee convened by Ms. Jenny Spurling, Owner, Simply Be Creative, we have chosen a name, tagline and logo to enhance our image as a preeminent model for school based services to help youth create sustainable lifestyles.

The initial phase of the launch of this website is meant to reaffirm our vision: to help change the odds for at risk youth.

Stay tuned for updates in the coming months!

Bette Bohlke O'Gara, LICSW

Executive Director, KeySteps, Inc

Our Journey

The Comprehensive School-Age Parenting Program, Inc has embarked on an exciting new journey.

We have changed our name to KeySteps, Inc and rebranded our image to reflect our comprehensive model of service delivery that extends far beyond the single site services developed exclusively for expectant and parenting teens over thirty years ago.

CSAPP—now KeySteps Inc—serving close to 500 youth last year, remains the oldest and largest dropout prevention program in Boston.

Our Mission

KeySteps Inc's mission is to help youth become educated, productive adults who contribute to society.

We are a school-based nonprofit agency which provides year-round counseling and support services to promote high school completion, responsible behavior and healthy decision making amongst Boston's culturally and linguistically diverse youth.

We support healthy communities by improving opportunities for our young people.

Our Goals

  • Increase school retention and completion
  • Reduce unplanned teenage pregnancy and other risky behaviors
  • Promote a culture of high expectations amongst educators, youth and their families
  • Support youth to overcome barriers that interfere with completion of school, participation in higher education, successful entry to the workplace, development of stable families and healthy communities

Our Youth, Services, & Locations

Our Youth

  • Expectant & Parenting Teens
  • Newcomers to the Country
  • English Language Learners
  • Youth With Special Needs
  • Regular Education Youth at Risk of Dropout

Our Services

  • Year Round School Based Counseling & Support
  • Case Management
  • Information & Referral
  • Life Skills Education
  • Outreach
  • Summer Programming
  • Consultation & Support for School-Based Staff
  • Training Opportunities for Graduate Students

Our Locations

  • Boston International High School
  • Charlestown High School
  • The English High School
  • West Roxbury Academy
  • Urban Science Academy

Our Successes

2010—2011

  • Providing counseling and support services for 433 youth, of whom 380 were enrolled in eight Boston Public High Schools.
  • A four year 2011 graduation rate for youth involved in counseling of 78%.
  • For all of the students served by KeySteps programs, a five and six year graduation rate of 86%.

Our Successes, Part 2

2010—2011

Of 53 prior graduates continuing to participate in support services, most report enrollment in post-high-school training and higher education, including the following:

  • Bunker Hill Community College logo
  • Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology logo
  • Assumption College logo
  • Brandeis University logo
  • University of Massachusetts Boston logo
  • Suffolk University logo
  • Bay State College logo
  • University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth logo
  • Roxbury Community College logo
  • Trinity College logo
  • Labouré College logo
  • Northeastern University logo
  • Fisher College logo
  • Bridgewater State University logo

Shatera and Shanice

2011 Graduates

Charlestown High School

Shatera and Shanice enrolled in KeySteps services as expectant parents during their junior year, to continue their education while preparing for and after the arrival of their children..

Shatera is now enrolled in Year Up.

Shanice, an Abigail Adams Scholarship recipient, is in her first year of UMass Boston.

Euclides

2011 Graduate

Boston International High School

KeySteps' well established system of wrap around care and vital community-based partnerships help to construct holistic networks of support tailored to meet the unique needs of each youth.

Summertime internships with Sovereign Bank and an April 2011 Habitat for Humanity Project (pictured), enhanced Euclides' communications skills, self confidence and leadership skills.

Tanya

2008 Social Justice Academy Student

2011 G.E.D. Graduate Bridge Over Troubled Water

Tanya dropped out in 2008 and after extensive involvement with public and private sector agencies, and ongoing support from our KeySteps Counselor, decided to enroll in the “Bridge” G.E.D. program.

Tanya graduated in June 2011.

Brunette

2007 Graduate

West Roxbury Education Complex

I know that CSAPP [now KeySteps] is a great organization that provides wonderful opportunities for young women. My son and I are proof of that. When I found out that I was pregnant, I had no idea of what I was going to do with my future. I soon became part of the CSAPP family and now have an excellent plan that includes furthering my education, CSAPP comes to the rescue of many young women when we are most vulnerable and confused.

I am forever grateful for all of the help given to me by CSAPP.

Letter to Commissioner Angelo McLain, Department of Children & Families, Fall 2008

KeySteps Upholds That Healthy Communities Are

  • Well-Educated
  • Culturally Diverse
  • Economically Viable

The Future

KeySteps will:

  • Enrich relations with existing collaborations
  • Establish a presence in underserved Boston schools
  • Affect the Massachusetts legislative efforts in the area of health, education & human services
  • Continue to contribute to the workforce of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Our Youth Thank You For Your Support of Their Future

Our Staff

2011—2012

Bette Bohlke-O'Gara, LICSW
Executive Director, KeySteps Inc
Jenny Galvin Dunne, MEd
KeySteps Counselor, Boston International High School / Newcomers Academy
Paulette Johnson MEd, LMHC
KeySteps Counselor, English High School
Melpo Kalaitzidis, MEd, LMHC
KeySteps Counselor, Urban Science Academy / West Roxbury Academy
Nancy Young, MEd, LSW
KeySteps Senior Counselor, Charlestown High School
Janay Mamie Travis-Landrum
KeySteps Student Intern, English High School
Michael Harvey, PhD
KeySteps Clinical Consultant
Ophelia Howe, LICSW
KeySteps Clinical Consultant
Hugo Kamya, PhD, LICSW
KeySteps Clinical Consultant, Simmons College School of Social Work
Randall S Davis, CPA
KeySteps Auditor; Partner, Daniel Dennis & Company, LLP

Denise Hebb, CPA
KeySteps Accountant
Shelly Fritz
KeySteps Payroll Clerk; PayChoice

Branding Committee

Bette Bohlke-O'Gara, LICSW
Executive Director, KeySteps Inc
Mr Richard Claytor
Director, Responsible Fatherhood Program School
Mr Michael Devlin
Community Services Program Manager, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
Ms Jenny Galvin Dunne, MEd
KeySteps Counselor, Boston International High School, Newcomers Academy
Mr Richard Frye
Owner, Frye Insurance
Mr Michael James
Director of Talent, Diversity & Inclusion; Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Ms Karina Segovia
Graduate, Boston International High School
Mr Franklin Shearer
Program Associate, Youth Policy Initiative; The Boston Foundation
Ms Susan Spurlock, Esq
Director, Massachusetts Dept of Children & Families Child Welfare Institute
Mr Rafael Torres
President, Don Quijote Tours
Mr Bill Yelenak
Director, Public Policy & Communications; Providers Council
Mr Joseph McLaughlin
Senior Research Associate, Center for Labor Market Studies; Northeastern University
Ms Liliana Mickle
Assistant to the Vice Provost, Support & Undergraduate Education; UMass Boston
Ms Cheryl Springer, PhD, LICSW
Director, Salem State University School of Social Work

A special thanks to our consultant, Ms Jenny Spurling, Owner, Simply Be Creative, for outstanding guidance & many hours of work.

Board of Directors

Liliana Mickle, MEd; President
Special Assistant to the Vice Provost, UMass Boston
Steve Gortmaker, PhD
Harvard School of Public Health
Jerry Howland, Instructor
Another Course to College
Edgar G Herrera
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Ellen Payzant
Community Consultant
Mia Karvonides, Esq
US Department of Education
Cheryl Springer, PhD
Salem State University School of Social Work

Contact KeySteps

For additional information, please contact:

Bette Bohlke-O'Gara, LICSW
Executive Director, KeySteps, Inc
PO Box 300766
Boston, MA 02130-0007
Phone
617-524-4951
Fax
617-524-7345
E-mail
bbohlkeogara.csapp@gmail.com

KeySteps' administrative office is located at:

English High School
144 McBride Street
Room 126A
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

View Larger Map

Staff Contacts

Jenny Galvin Dunne, MEd

KeySteps Counselor, Boston International High School / Newcomers Academy

617-265-7417

jdunne@keystepsboston.org

Melpo Kalaitzidis, MEd, LMHC

KeySteps Counselor, Urban Science Academy / West Roxbury Academy

617-325-1633

mkalaitzidis@keystepsboston.org

Paulette Johnson MEd, LMHC

KeySteps Counselor, English High School

617-259-0070

pjohnson@keystepsboston.org

Nancy Young, MEd, LSW

KeySteps Senior Counselor, Charlestown High School

617-279-3146

NYoung@keystepsboston.org