The children of GRADS students receive:

• quality licensed child care allowing parental interaction and nursing opportunities
  
  
• safe and secure care provided by trained and caring staff members
  
  
• educational opportunities and learning activities designed for all ages
  
  
• on-site services provide private conferences and resources enhancing identity and the removal of all barriers to SUCCESS
  
  
• appropriate nutritional meals and snacks
  
  
• occupational and physical therapy (if needed)
  
  
• assessment of developmental stages

 

Babies born to "teen mothers" have:

• about 1/3 more likely to be of low birth-weight and require 20% more medical attention at a cost of $3,700 per child per year. (GRADS's low birth-weight rate is 4% compared to the national rate of 33% and state average 21%.)
  
  
• 50% higher mortality rate than babies born to women over the age of 20
  
  
• 71% more likely not to be contributing members of society by age 24 than their peers, incurring an annual national societal cost of $21 billion dollars
  
  
• a higher risk for abuse and neglect, including death
  
  
• 10 times more likely to be poorer than children born to married women who are 20 or older and have a high school diploma
  
  
• 83% more likely to be "teen moms" themselves
  
  
• 2.7 times more likely to end up in prison (males)

                                                                                           (kids count, 2006)

Studies show that without intervention, teen parents are measurably less likely to give their children a solid foundation of proper nutrition, health care, cognitive, and social stimulation.