Expanding Out Of School Programing Across New Mexico

JAG-NM’s Out-of-School program supports young adults ages 16–24 who are not currently in school. This includes young people who still need to complete high school or earn a GED/HSE, as well as young adults who have already graduated but need extra coaching, access, and support to plan their next steps in employment, education, training, or enlistment.

This year, JAG-NM is expanding OOS support into the Northwest, Southwest, and Northeast regions, creating full statewide coverage for young adults across New Mexico. This expansion is especially important for rural communities and areas where youth may have fewer nearby options for transportation, employment, training, or community-based support.

Statewide OOS coverage means JAG-NM can bring free coaching, career planning, life skills, certifications, employer connections, and follow-up support to young adults who are ready to reengage but may need help finding the right starting point.

The OOS Impact: Year 1

Hundreds of young adults across the state have joined the out of school program and we are looking to serve even more. In less than a year of the OOS program, participants have accessed free online high school options, completed GED/HSE milestones, entered employment, and continued into education or training with support from JAG-NM Specialists.

Monthly follow-up also helps youth navigate the transition into college, work, or both. Among the hundreds of youth currently in follow-up, fewer than 1% are currently looking for work. That small group (5 young adults of 378) is receiving additional support with resumes, cover letters, interviews, applications, internships, apprenticeships, and training programs.

"America's Best First Job"

JAG-NM is in the pilot stage of a developing intitiative with McDonald’s + Archways to Opportunities. This parternship is building toward additional access points for young adults to the OOS program while gaining income. The goal is for participating McDonald’s locations to help connect eligible young people to the JAG OOS program, where they can receive coaching, build life and employability skills, explore education options, and connect to McDonald's employment. We coach, McDonald's hires, & Archways provides resources & benefits like tuition assistance, online highschool, & more.

Early outcomes in New Mexico are promising, with 90% of youth participating in the pilot experiencing positive outcomes. One young person has already been promoted within McDonald’s, while another has used available employee education benefits to return to school through a free online high school option.

This initiative is not only benefiting young people, it's supporting McDonald's train & retain great workers. This is what workforce development looks like in action!

To refer a young adult or learn more about OOS, visit jagnm.org/out-of-school, call 505-456-0866, or email info@jagnm.org