Parents and schools are overwhelmed and struggling to empower young people towards mental and physical wellbeing.  Research has highlighted the critical role of parents and caregivers in preventing and helping overcome mental health problems and promoting overall well-being in their children (Murphy et al., 2022). Parents are often overwhelmed but can learn skills and techniques via low effort tools that meet them where they are without judgment. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions, particularly those delivered via text messaging, have emerged as a promising approach to support parents by enhancing their competencies and reducing barriers to traditional parenting programs (Chu et al., 2019). These interventions offer a feasible and cost-effective means to provide support and information to a wide range of parents, potentially improving both parenting practices and child outcomes (Gazmararian et al., 2014; Rodgers et al., 2005).

Mobile messaging is one of the simplest but most powerful behavior change strategies (Muench et al., 2017). Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of mobile messaging in improving parenting practices. In one study, a text-messaging intervention for parents of adolescents, significantly enhanced parental competence and mental health literacy (Chu et al., 2019). In an early study, "Txt u ltr" supported parents in implementing effective parenting strategies, resulting in higher engagement and improved interactions with their children (Bigelow et al., 2008). These findings align with other research indicating that mobile messaging can reinforce positive parenting behaviors, making it an effective tool for reaching parents and supporting their parenting practices (Kharbanda et al., 2009; Chu et al., 2019). Moreover, the use of online courses has proven effective in promoting parenting competencies and reducing children's behavioral problems (Tuntipuchitanon et al., 2022).

Positive impacts on child outcomes have also been documented through mobile messaging interventions. For instance, a texting program, which sent literacy tips to parents via text messages, significantly improved children's literacy scores (York et al., 2014). Another study found that children of parents who participated in mobile messaging programs exhibited fewer behavioral problems and better academic performance (Carta et al., 2013). These improvements are attributed to the increased parental engagement and the implementation of effective parenting strategies facilitated by the messaging interventions (Chu et al., 2019; Thongseiratch et al., 2020; Tuntipuchitanon et al., 2022).

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Mobile messaging has been shown to enhance school engagement as well. The study "Can Texting Parents Improve Attendance in Elementary School?" demonstrated that adaptive text messaging strategies significantly reduced chronic absenteeism by keeping parents informed and involved (Heppen et al., 2020). This suggests that regular communication via text messages can help maintain a strong connection between parents and schools, thereby improving student attendance and overall engagement with school activities (Chu et al., 2019).

Text messaging interventions have also been associated with high levels of engagement and low attrition rates. The flexibility and minimal time commitment required for such interventions contribute to their high retention rates. The convenience and effectiveness of text messaging make it an ideal method for delivering timely, relevant information to parents. Incorporating mobile messaging into parenting support programs can lead to better school engagement, reduced stress, and improved academic and behavioral outcomes for children. The evidence suggests that texting interventions can play a crucial role in reaching populations that might otherwise have limited access to traditional support services and are disengaged in school services due to socioeconomic, language, and educational barriers (Chu et al., 2019; Bigelow et al., 2008; Heppen et al., 2020; Muench & Baumel, 2017; Muench et al. 2017).

At Resily, we know the research. We know how to build programs. We know how to get results. We have been sending text messages to empower individuals and families for over 10 years in different contexts from drug prevention messages to mental health messages to parental empowerment messages to messages for young people struggling with cannabis and alcohol use . Resily was created on this foundation. We have taken all our learnings to build you the best program combining old (text messaging) and new (AI) to empower schools to support families.  Onward!