NM GRADS: Lessons Learned from Implementing a School-Based Program for Young Parents Across New Mexico

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Educational Programs

Background:

• The New Mexico Graduation Reality and Dual-role Skills (GRADS) program has supported expectant and parenting high school students since 1989.
• Over 17,000 youth have been served by this comprehensive, large-scale initiative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the GRADS program model and share lessons learned from its implementation.
• To enhance understanding of how to effectively implement statewide programs for expectant and parenting students.

Main Methods:

• The GRADS program is a multicomponent intervention including classroom support, case management, and linkages to childcare and healthcare.
• The study focuses on lessons learned from program administrators during a period of statewide expansion (2010-2017).

Main Results:

• During 2010-2017, the GRADS program served 2691 parenting youth across 26-31 sites annually.
• Key lessons include allowing site variation, providing centralized support, securing school leader buy-in, and collecting consistent data.

Conclusions:

• This school-based program offers a promising approach for serving many expectant and parenting youth.
• It helps students overcome challenges to high school completion, despite not being a rigorous impact study.