United Way of Greater New Haven, the City of New Haven and the New Haven Public Schools are partnering to ensure young people's success in school and in life.

Boost! is a key element of the nationally-recognized New Haven School Change Initiative which combines results-oriented management of schools and teaching talent with new efforts to engage parents and the community in supporting children’s success. 

Boost! Directory

What are the Boost! wraparound services?

Boost! services fall into four broad domains which have been demonstrated to contribute to children’s ability to succeed in school.

• Physical health
• Social and behavioral health
• Family support and engagement
• School engagement/Extended learning opportunities

The exact combination of services varies from school to school and is tailored to respond to needs identified by parents, teachers and other community stakeholders. 

How Does Boost! Make a Difference?

Boost! shares the goals of the School Change Initiative: to close the achievement gap with the state, cut the dropout rate in half, and ensure that every graduating student has the preparation and resources to succeed in college.  Through improved coordination of and access to wraparound services, Boost! also seeks the following results which impact on student success:

• Children receive high quality supports and services to promote their physical, social and emotional development and ensure they are ready and available to learn in the classroom
• Families are welcomed in schools and engaged in their children's education
• Public, private and nonprofit community resources for wraparound services are used efficiently and effectively

How Does The Partnership Work?

In addition to the three key partners, the collaboration involves other public agencies, community-based nonprofits, businesses and other service providers and stakeholders, including the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven.  Boost! has the following responsibilities:

• Needs Assessment/Planning: Identify service needs and gaps; examine and share relevant research; develop plans; provide training and support to build local capacity
• Communication: Engage wide range of stakeholders; communicate among families, school staff, external service providers and the wider community.
• Coordination: Coordinate, negotiate, mediate, and make connections among nonprofits, schools and other partners
• Accountability: Collect, maintain, analyze and disseminate data on programs and participants.  Integrate with existing school data system.
• Resource Development: Seek financial support for services through grantwriting and other fundraising activities

In addition to a central Boost! function managed by United Way, there will be a Boost! Coordinator at each school.  The Boost! Coordinator will serve on the school’s management team to ensure coordination between the school staff and external partners assisting with planning, coordination and accountability for the Boost! services. 

Where is Boost!?

In the 2010-11 school year, Boost! was launched in the following 5 schools:

Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School

Clinton Avenue School

Augusta Lewis Troup School

Wexler-Grant Community School

Metropolitan Business Academy