HISTORY OF NM GRADS SYSTEM

New Mexico was the first state to replicate the Ohio GRADS (Graduation, Reality, and Dual-roles Skills) program for teenage parents in 1989.

GRADS Mission is to:   

• Facilitate parenting teen’s graduation and economic independence

• Promote healthy multi-generational families

• Reduce risk-taking behaviors

Originally funded by Carl Perkins, NM state funds were secured in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Between 2000 and 2003 the NM Human Services Department utilized federal TANF Welfare Reform funds to sustain and expand GRADS. NM GRADS is now funded with a legislative appropriation of recurring dollars from the Public Education Department. The NM GRADS System has received program excellence recognition awards from the:

·         US Department of Education,

·         US Department of Labor,

·         Executive Educator Magazine (US Exemplary Program Award),

·         National Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention

      (GREAT Award),

·       NM Kids Count (Best Practices).

 Since its inception in 1989, NM GRADS has grown from a $127,500 project with four sites to a state-wide system which now serves 32 schools, in 24 school districts and has a 200702008 budget of $1,000,000.  Socorro Consolidated School District is the NM GRADS fiscal agent. 

State staff provides technical assistance, resources, professional development, on-site reviews, and community/school board presentations. NM GRADS is a self-replicating model, which after a 3-year GRADS System funding cycle becomes locally self-sustaining; recurring annual funding, which assures adequate time for case management. An additional $5,000 for children of parenting teens is provided to help sustain Child Care Centers. School districts may implement a variety of combinations of the following GRADS components:

·        Intervention programs for teenage parents which includes on-site Child Care Centers at most sites,

·        Employability skills-development curriculum, including software for career exploration and planning,

·       Licensed on-site child care centers

(co-funded by NM Dept of Children, Youth, and Families),

·       Community based fatherhood support groups,

GRADS key elements are user friendly for local EPSS plans that target at-risk youth and teen parents. GRADS Competencies are aligned with NM Benchmarks and Standards,  and national FACS standards. GRADS helps school districts augment funding for the local licensed, on-site child care centers by facilitating access to Income Eligible Reimbursements.

Potential school districts document local support, the number of eligible students, and commit to continuing GRADS for a minimum of three years beyond the initial three-year funding cycle. State staff provide school board presentations, help districts assess community support and facilitate individual site adaptations as programs are implemented to assure sustainability.

NM GRADS provides annual supplies and per-diem for mandatory component specific trainings.

In conjunction with UNM CASAA (Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions), GRADS students are trained as Peer Educators to help reduce risk-taking behaviors and substance related birth defects. GRADS students make school and community presentations with teen panels that help peers grasp the realities of teen parenthood and the ramifications of risk-taking behaviors.

The NM GRADS System maintains a statewide database for all program components to document impact and validity. Flyers and a calendar with updated information are produced and disseminated annually.