The Youth Advocacy Program, located at Invictus Academy at Airways Middle School, is part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Alternative Education division and is designed to support and advocate for pregnant and parenting students across the district. 

Serving both female and male student-parents in grades 6-12, the program ensures students can remain enrolled at their home schools while receiving the support needed to balance academics and parenthood. Through coordinated school-based services, access to childcare, and a strong network of community partnerships, the Youth Advocacy Program helps remove barriers that may otherwise interrupt a student’s education. This system of support allows MSCS to increase teen parent graduation rates while encouraging students to pursue postsecondary education and career opportunities. 

Students enrolled in the Youth Advocacy Program receive individualized academic guidance, social-emotional support, and advocacy services that address challenges such as childcare access, transportation needs, financial hardship, and housing instability. Advisors work closely with counselors, administrators, teachers, and families to identify concerns early and connect students with resources that promote consistent attendance and academic progress. Because students remain connected to their home schools, they can continue participating in extracurricular activities and school experiences that strengthen engagement and confidence while staying on track for graduation. 

One of the program’s most impactful supports is access to specialized placements that offer on-site childcare services. The Johnnie B. Watson Childcare Center, located at Invictus Academy, provides free childcare for students enrolled in the program and serves children from six weeks to two years of age. Licensed by both the Tennessee Department of Human Services and the Tennessee Department of Education, the center provides a safe, structured learning environment that allows student parents to focus on their education while their children receive quality care. By removing one of the most significant barriers to attendance, MSCS helps ensure student parents can continue progressing toward graduation. 

For Ebony J. Suggs, manager of the Youth Advocacy Program, the work is rooted in advocacy and opportunity. With nearly 25 years in education, Suggs has dedicated much of her career to supporting pregnant and parenting teens and ensuring students have access to the tools needed to succeed. Alongside advisor Torena Cox, Suggs works with schools across the district to monitor student progress, address attendance challenges, and connect families to essential supports such as counseling services, food resources, healthcare referrals, and other basic needs that strengthen stability at home and school.  

Through partnerships with organizations such as the Mid-South Food Bank, Shelby County Health Department, and other community partners, the Youth Advocacy Program provides comprehensive wraparound support that addresses the full scope of challenges student parents may experience. Attendance remains one of the most common barriers, often impacted by childcare needs, transportation limitations, or changing living situations. By identifying the root causes of these challenges and working collaboratively with schools and families, advisors help students remain engaged in learning and focused on reaching graduation milestones. 

Both Suggs and Cox emphasize that teen parents are often misunderstood and unfairly judged, contributing to stigma surrounding alternative education. Through compassion, consistency, and strong advocacy, the Youth Advocacy Program ensures students feel supported rather than labeled, recognizing that each student’s journey is unique. One of the most rewarding aspects of the work is seeing students reach graduation and continue building successful futures, with many former participants returning to share how the program helped shape their path forward. 

Through strong partnerships, targeted resources, and a commitment to student success, the Youth Advocacy Program continues to demonstrate that alternative education is not about limitation, but about opportunity. By meeting students where they are and providing pathways forward, MSCS ensures teen parents are supported in reaching graduation and pursuing meaningful postsecondary goals.

For more information about the Youth Advocacy Program, contact the department at (901) 416-6322 or visit their Facebook page.