Tymothy L Belseth ETVYouth Specialist Jennifer J Elizalde Region 8 Youth Specialist Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Where are they More likely to live in the least familylike settings ID: 359187
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Slide1
What Happens Next? Life after Aging-Out of Foster Care
Tymothy L. Belseth—ETV/Youth SpecialistJennifer J. Elizalde—Region 8 Youth SpecialistSlide2
Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Where are they?More likely to live in the least “family-like” settings
Many have “goal” of “
APPLA”
More than 28,000 do “emancipate” each year
1,577 emancipated from Texas in FY 2012
12-22% become homeless from day one
From: AFCARS Data, and studies by Courtney, Wulczyn, Hislop, CaseySlide3
Educational
OutcomesOne study found that 37% had not finished high school nor a GEDUsed GED to complete education at 6 times the rate of
general population
(NW Alumni Study, Casey Family Programs
)
Experienced 7 or more school changes
Only 1.8% completed a bachelors degreeSlide4
Other Outcomes
Less likely to be employed Poverty level incomesNo Heath InsuranceMore likely to have children out of marriagePost traumatic stress rate double war veteransSerious untreated health conditions
Higher rate of becoming victims of crime, or engaging in criminal activity—over 270,000 American prisoners were once in foster careSlide5
Tools for Upward Mobility: Transitional Living Services, Resources, and Benefits for Individuals 14-23
Transitional Living Services include:
Medicaid Healthcare Coverage (up to age 26)
Youth Leadership Councils and Activities
Driver’s Education
Tuition and Fee Waivers
Post Secondary Education Partnerships
Education and Training Vouchers (ETV)
Extended Care/Return to Care
Supervised Independent Living Programs
Transition Centers
DFPS and Texas Workforce Commission Partnership
Employment Preference Letter for Former Foster Care YouthSlide6
Healthcare Coverage
Former Foster Care Children Program (FFCC) Former Texas foster youth who age of care at age18 are eligible for the Former Foster Care Children Program which is Medicaid healthcare coverage. This healthcare is available until the month of their 26
th
birthday and is part of the federa
l
Affordable Care Act.
Youth must have received Medicaid in Texas in order to qualify. The FFCC Program is administered by HHSC. Young Adults may call 2-1-1 for assistance or
visit
www.yourtexasbenefits.com
to apply.Slide7
Youth Leadership and Development Activities
Local, state, and national youth leadership activitiesYouth and alumni serve as advisors/partners in all effortsYouth specialists in all regions (alumni of care)
Youth leadership council (statewide/regional)Slide8
Education: Tuition and Fee Waiver
State College Tuition and Fee Waiver, enacted 1993 and 1997, revised 2009
.
Foster Youth Eligibility:
Must be in DFPS conservatorship on or after:
The day preceding the student's 18th birthday;
The day of the student's 14th birthday, if also eligible for adoption on or after that day;
The date the student graduates from high school or receives the equivalent of a high school diploma
Must enroll in an institution of higher education at a state supported college or university as an undergraduate no later than the student's
25th
birthday
The waiver is also available to students who enroll in a dual credit course or other course in which they may earn joint high school and college credit. Must be in DFPS conservatorship on the day of enrollment.
Slide9
Education: Tuition & Fee Waiver-cont.
Adopted Youth:Adoption from DFPS occurred on or after September 1, 2009.
Adopted from DFPS and subject of an adoption assistance agreement for monthly financial assistance and Medicaid (there is no age limit to enroll in higher education).
Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC)
PMC of a youth (from DFPS) was granted to an individual other than the student’s parent on or after Sept 1, 2009. Slide10
Education: Post Secondary Partnerships
College partnershipsScholarships for residential housing
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas-Pan American
Texas State University
Sam Houston State University
Mentoring for PAL students
Austin Community College
Texas State University
Leadership camps and conferences
Statewide
PAL Teen Conference
PAL College Conference (TAMU Commerce)Slide11
Education: Education and Training Vouchers (ETV)
Education Training Voucher (ETV) Program
Federally funded program that provides up to $5,000 a year to:
Youth in foster care who are at least 16 and likely to remain in care until 18
Youth who aged out of foster care but are not yet age 21
Youth who are not yet age 21 and adopted after age 16
Youth not yet age 21 and enter into Permanency Care Assistance at age 16
Students must be enrolled at least 6 hours per semester
ETV pays for the
cost of attendance
(determined by the school) and includes housing, tuition and fees, (if applicable) transportation, books, supplies, computers, child care, etc.
ETV is available to youth who enroll in dual credit courses or other courses in which they may earn joint high school and college credit.
ETV is contracted to Baptist Child and Family Services to process ETV applications and payment vouchers. The website is
www.texasETV.com
and the main phone # is 1-877-268-4063Slide12
Extended Care Program
The Extended Foster Care Program is a voluntary program and is available to Young Adults: Ages 18 up to age 22 and regularly attending high school or a GED program; or
Ages 18 to 21 years of age and attending or participating in:
An institution of higher education, postsecondary vocational or technical program;
A program or activity that promotes or removes barriers to employment;
Employed at least 80 hours a month; or
If the youth is incapable of performing all of the above activities due to a documented medical conditionSlide13
Supervised Independent Living (SIL)
SIL is a component of the Extended Foster Care Program Must agree to one of the activities required for the Extended Foster Care programLess Restrictive/Non-Traditional Living ArrangementReceives minimal case management & support services
Allowed increased responsibility and less supervision
Application & approval processed through State SIL Coordinator.Slide14
Supervised Independent Living (SIL)
Eligibility Will age out of foster care & agrees to remain or return to the Extended Foster Care program.Must demonstrate a reasonable level of responsibility
After aging-out of care, return from a Trial Independence period before age 21
SIL Settings (Contract Providers)
Apartments
College Dorms
Non-College Dorms
Shared Housing
Host HomesSlide15
Return for Extended Care
Young adults may return for the Extended Foster Care program, including SIL, during the Trial Independence period or afterwards up until they turn age 21Contact regional state PAL staff for information.Slide16
Transition Centers
17 One-Stop Youth Transition Centers
Services vary from region to region and may provide co-location opportunities for local community partners such as local workforce, community colleges and universities. A list of Centers is available on the Texas Youth Connection website at:
https://
www.dfps.state.tx.us/txyouth/resources/local/default.asp#centers
Transition Center Services may include
Employment Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
Education Support
Case Management
Counseling
Access to additional resources
Slide17
Workforce PartnershipDFPS and Texas Workforce Commission/Local Workforce Board Agreement Share regional labor market information;
Coordinate priority of workforce services for foster youth to help achieve PAL education and employment objectives;
Access summer youth employment opportunities;
Career exploration, job readiness, and job search classes;
Apprenticeship and internship opportunities;
Housing referralsSlide18
Employment Preference for Former Foster Youth
State agencies are required to give employment preference to former foster youth who were in PMC of DFPS on the day preceding their 18th birthday. Employment preference is over other applicants for the same position who do not have greater qualifications.
The employment preference is only available to youth age 25 and younger. Slide19
More Information…
Transitional Living Services www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Transitional_Living/default.asp
DFPS Youth-Friendly website
www.texasyouthconnection.org
Lead PAL Staff Contact List
www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Preparation_For_Adult_Living/PAL_coordinators.asp
Education and Training Vouchers (ETV)
www.texasETV.com
Facebook
www.facebook/TexasYouthConnection