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Young Parent Program

A misty forest scene with the quote 'Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.'

A path to Success

Pregnancy is the beginning of a new adventure, however it can be challenging for new parents regardless of their age. Our Young Parent Program is here to help get you through a time of change and growth.

Our program provides you with a supportive atmosphere where you can share the joys and challenges that come with being a new parent.

Together we will create an individualized plan around your education, personal goals and needs. Setting short term goals such as earning your High School Diploma or GED can be the first step for a path of success. Our goal is to help you find a way to make parenting and being a student manageable while paving a path of success!

Educational Opportunities

We provide educational programs and schedules that address the individual needs of pregnant and parenting students. 

Young parents enrolled in Willamette or Kalapuya can participate in our Young Parents class. The class is designed to teach healthy pregnancy habits as well as parenting topics such as enhanced parenting/co-parenting skills, healthy nutrition, child development, safety routines, and much more!

Pregnant students and young parents are able to work alongside our childcare professionals where they can learn through hands-on experience.

A family poses for a photo at a graduation ceremony.

Young father, Edgar, poses with girlfriend Yosmara, and their child, Santiago, after Edgar received his high school diploma in June 2025. Yosmara is expected to graduate in 2026.

A young woman holds a baby in front of a brick wall.

Kelsey with her daughter Emmy. Kelsey finished her senior year bringing Emmy to the Little Wolverines daycare program every day so that she could finish her own studies. Kelsey accepted her high school diploma in June 2025, accompanied by Emmy.

Benefits of joining Young Parent Program: 

  • Earn high school diploma or GED

  • Receive additional information about all available school and community resources

  • Connect with other young parents

  • Transportation provided to young parents and their children(s) who require it

  • Eligible for incentives

  • Create an individualized plan around your education, personal goals, and needs

  • Earn high school credit by joining our young parenting class while building strong parenting skills 

  • 1:1 weekly support with Young Parent Coordinator

Child Care

Child care for children 6 weeks to 5 years old is provided free to young student parents while students attend their scheduled classes. 

The Infant Toddler Center (ITC) is located inside Willamette High School which gives students enrolled at Willamette flexibility to attend to their child's needs. 

Highly qualified caregivers maintain the quality of care needed to help young parents be successful in their time at school. 

A pregnant woman smiles, leaning against a brick wall.

Alicia graduated in June 2025. Although her little one didn’t arrive prior to graduation, Alicia still enrolled in our Young Parents class and received vital parenting and child-rearing information that she is excited to utilize when her child arrives later this year.

For more information, contact:

Megan Helwig

Young Parent Coordinator

541.689.0731, ext. 4194

megan.helwig@bethel.k12.or.us