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Foster Care Transition: Support, Services, and Preparation

Learn about the challenges faced by children in foster care, the adults involved, and the programs and services available to support their transition into adulthood. Explore the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program, aftercare case management services, and other youth activities and events. This comprehensive guide aims to provide information and resources for a successful journey out of foster care.

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Foster Care Transition: Support, Services, and Preparation

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  1. Child Protective Services and Youth Transitional Living Services Child Protective Services and Youth Transitional Living Services • Gaye Vopat • Transitional Living Services Team LeadCarol Self • Director of PermanencyAlma Aranda • Preparation for Adult Living Program Specialist • Debra Emerson • Director of Youth and Transitional Living Services

  2. TWC, Workforce Boards and DFPSPartnership TWC, Workforce Boards and DFPSPartnership • Agreement with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to prioritize workforce services for PAL youth and young adults. • Agreement with all 28 local Workforce Boards in to prioritize workforce services for PAL youth and young adults. • TWC funds Workforce Advocates at all Transition Centers specifically to serve youth and young adults currently or formerly in foster care.

  3. Child’s Journey Through Foster Care Child’s Journey Through Foster Care

  4. The whirlwind of out-of-home Care The whirlwind of out-of-home Care • Removed from home/parents/siblings • May not have had chance to say goodbye • Parents/siblings: Where are they? Are they ok? • Living with strangers • In strange house/room/bed • Different customs/routine • Other children in home • Few or none of your possessions • Uncertainty about future • Where will I live? • Will I return home? • Where will I go to school?

  5. UniqueChallenges for Students in Foster Care Unique Challenges for Students in Foster Care • Multiple residential and school changes • Missed school days for: • Visits with parents and siblings • Court appearances • Therapeutic or other case-related appointments • When change schools, lose: • Records • Credits • Supports and services

  6. Foster Care: Who are the Adults Involved? Foster Care: Who are the Adults Involved?

  7. Texas Youth in Foster Care: Who Are They? Texas Youth in Foster Care: Who Are They? • Children in Conservatorship on 8/31/17: 31,772 • Youth in Conservatorship aged 14 and above: 5,126 • Youth who Emancipated in FY 2017: 1,200

  8. Preparation For Adult Living (PAL) Program Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program • The PAL program assists older youth (age 14 up to 21) in foster care and those who have aged out of foster to prepare for their departure and transition to a successful adulthood. Supportive services and benefits are provided by PAL Staff or PAL Contract Providers to eligible young adults up to age 21 to become self-sufficient and productive. • PAL services include: • Life skills assessment (Casey Life Skills Assessment) to assess strength and needs in life skills attainment (assessments are conducted before Life skills training). • Provided to youth in PMC at age 14 starting in FY19. All other youth in DFPS conservatorship will receive at age 16. An annual review will be conducted through the child's plan of service. • Life skills training (ages 16 to 18) covers the following core areas: • Health and Safety; Housing and Transportation; Job Readiness; • Financial Management; Life Decisions/Responsibility; Personal/Social Relationships

  9. Preparation For Adult Living (PAL) Program Other Youth Activities/Events PAL Experiential Camp-Acamp held annually for youth (when a contractor is available) aimed at increasing self- esteem, improving communication skills, problem-solving and having fun. Up to 100 youth may participate. PAL Statewide Teen Conference-Anannual three day conference held on a college campus offering workshops for youth that lead to self-sufficiency and independence. Up to 155 youth participate. PAL Statewide College Conferences-Texas A&M Commerce hosts an annual two day conference for youth to learn about and prepare for higher education opportunities including vocational and technical programs. Up to 78 youth participate in each conference. Regional conferences or events- Regions provide teen conferences and other age-appropriate activities and events such as college conferences, back to school events, prom events, graduation celebrations, or holiday celebrations. Participation numbers vary on the size of the region and resources. Aging-out Seminars to youth in foster care at age 17 before leaving care.

  10. Preparation For Adult Living (PAL) Program (cont’d) Aftercare Case Management Services • (ages 16-21, but may begin closer to when a youth ages out of foster care) to help young adults with self-sufficiency planning and resource coordination. Additional PAL Benefits include: • Transitional living allowance of up to $1,000 is distributed in increments of up to $500 per month, for young adults up to age 21 who participated in PAL training, to help with initial start-up costs in adult living. • Aftercare room and board assistance (ages 18-21) is based on need of up to $500 per month for rent, utilities, utility deposits, food, etc. (not to exceed $3,000 of accumulated payments per young adult). • Supportive services (based on need and funding availability) may include: graduation items, tutoring, driver’s education fees, or GED.

  11. Youth Leadership Councils Regional Youth Leadership Councils (YLC) or Youth Advisory Boards • Meet at least quarterly • Facilitated by Youth Specialists and PAL staff Statewide Youth Leadership Council • Comprised of two elected or appointed youth or young adults (ages 16 to 21) per region • Address identified issues and concerns and formulate recommendations for improving services to children and youth in foster care • Review state policies and programs and provide feedback • Meet at least 3 times a year in different areas of the state YLC participation includes: • Opportunities for Community Services and Outreach projects • Advocacy training to ensure the voices of foster youth are heard • Leadership building skills; Planning and facilitating events • Learn how to strategically share their story

  12. Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program Purpose of ETV: • This benefit is to help support postsecondary education goals • Federally-funded (Chafee) and state-administered program. • Young people ages 16 to 23 may be eligible for up to $5000 of financial assistance per year to help them reach their postsecondary educational goals. • Youth who were in state custody / foster care are eligible if they meet the following criteria: • Must have completed a high school diploma or equivalent and enrolled at least part-time (6 hours) in an accredited or pre-accredited public or non-profit program that provides a bachelor's degree or not less than a 2 year program that provides credit towards a degree or certification; or • If youth is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance (age 18), she or he must be enrolled at least part-time (6 hours) in an accredited or pre-accredited program that provides training toward gainful employment. • Youth participating in the ETV Program on their 21st birthday can remain eligible until 23 years of age as long as they are enrolled and making satisfactory progress toward completing their postsecondary education or training program.

  13. Education and Training Voucher Those Eligible for the ETV program • Youth in DFPS foster care who are at least 16 and likely to remain in care until 18; or • Youth who aged out of DFPS foster care but have not yet turned 21; or • Youth who were adopted from DFPS foster care after turning age 16 and are not yet 21; or • Youth who enter Permanency Care Assistance after age 16; or • Youth who are in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and are in a Title IV-E placement when turning age 18; or • Tribal youth or young adults in tribal foster care; or • The above eligible students who move out of state to attend school and were originally enrolled in ETV in Texas.

  14. Texas College Tuition and Fee Waiver Tuition and Fee Waiver (provided by Texas Law) The college tuition and fee waiverprovides exemptions from payment of tuition and fees at a Texas state supported college or university to individuals formerly in Texas state foster care and adopted youth. • The waiver must be “activated” by the student’s 25th birthday. • To be exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, youth or young adults must have been in DFPS conservatorship. • Eligible population are individuals in DFPS conservatorship in one of the circumstances listed below: • the day preceding the student's 18th birthday; the day of the student’s 14th birthday, if the youth was eligible for adoption (parental rights terminated) on or after that day; • the day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma; • if a youth was adopted and the adoption occurred on or after September 1, 2009; If a youth was adopted before September 1, 2009 and has an adoption assistance agreement that provides for both a monthly payment and Medicaid benefits; • if permanent managing conservatorship (PMC) of the youth was granted to a non-parent on or after September 1, 2009; or • if a youth was returned to the legal responsibility of the parent at: • age 14 and older on or after June 1, 2016 and was in DFPS's PMC; or • age 16 and older on or after June 1, 2016 and was in DFPS's temporary managing conservatorship (TMC).

  15. Additional Benefits and Resources for Transitioning Youth • Texas Youth Hotline is a resource for youth who are under 21 years of age, including those who have aged out of the foster care system. Youth may contact the statewide hotline at 1-800-210-2278 for telephone counseling and information and referrals. The hotline can help young adults locate services available in their communities • Texas Youth Connections website, designed with input from youth is a resource for youth in the Texas Foster Care system, alumni of foster care or for youth seeking general tips and information. This website offers information and resources in education, finances, records, diversity, health, contacts, job links, food, housing, books, stories, hotlines and other hot stuff. Check this resource out at: www.texasyouthconnection.org • HHS Ombudsman Foster Care was created Texas Legislature created the Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care (FCO) during the 84th Legislature in 2015. The goals are to: • help foster youth. • make sure youth get the services and care they need. • work with partners to fix individual and system problems. • advocate for youth and teach them to advocate for themselves.

  16. Extended and Return to Foster Care

  17. Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program The SIL program is a component of the Extended Foster Care where young adults can reside in a less restrictive, non-traditional living arrangement while continuing to receive casework and support service to help them become independent and self-sufficient. Through SIL a young adult is: • Allowed increased responsibilities with minimal supervision • Manage their own finances • Buying groceries/personal items • Working with a Landlord • Assisted with the transition to independent living • Achieving identified education and employment goals • Accessing community resources • Engaging in needed life skills training • Establishing important relationships • SIL settings can include: Apartments; Non-College Dorms; College Dorms; Shared Housing; and Host Homes

  18. National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) National Youth in Transition Database • Employment Outcomes for Texas Foster Youth and Young Adults (Survey) • Age 17: Anytime in a lifetime • Age 19 and 21: In the last two years (random selection of youth surveyed at age 17)

  19. Debra Emerson-Director, Youth and Transitional Living Services • Debra.emerson@dfps.state.tx.us • 512-438-4760 • Gaye Vopat-Transitional Living Services-Team Lead/PAL/NYTD Program Lead • Gaye.Vopat@dfps.state.tx.us • 512-438-5442 • Alma Aranda –State Office Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program Specialist alma.aranda2@dfps.state.tx.us • 512-438-2350 • Vacant-Education and Training Voucher/ Youth Program Specialist • Gaye.Vopat@dfps.state.tx.us • 512-438-5442 • Jose Chapa -Extended Foster Care/SIL Program Lead • Jose.chapa@dfps.state.tx.us • 512-438-5320 Transitional Living Services Team Contacts Transitional Living Services Team Contacts Debra Emerson-Director, Youth and Transitional Living Services Debra.emerson@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-4760 Gaye Vopat-Transitional Living Services-Team Lead/PAL/NYTD Program Lead Gaye.Vopat@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-5442 Alma Aranda –State Office Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program Specialist alma.aranda2@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-2350 Vacant-Education and Training Voucher/ Youth Program Specialist Gaye.Vopat@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-5442 Jose Chapa -Extended Foster Care/SIL Program Lead Jose.chapa@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-5320

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