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What Happens Next? Life after Aging-Out of Foster Care

What Happens Next? Life after Aging-Out of Foster Care. Tymothy L. Belseth— ETV/Youth Specialist Jennifer J. Elizalde— Region 8 Youth Specialist. Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Where are they?. More likely to live in the least “family-like” settings Many have “goal” of “ APPLA”

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What Happens Next? Life after Aging-Out of Foster Care

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  1. What Happens Next? Life after Aging-Out of Foster Care Tymothy L. Belseth—ETV/Youth Specialist Jennifer J. Elizalde—Region 8 Youth Specialist

  2. Youth Aging Out of Foster CareWhere 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, Casey

  3. Educational Outcomes • One study found that 37% had not finished high school nor a GED • Used 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 degree

  4. Other Outcomes • Less likely to be employed • Poverty level incomes • No Heath Insurance • More likely to have children out of marriage • Post traumatic stress rate double war veterans • Serious untreated health conditions • Higher rate of becoming victims of crime, or engaging in criminal activity—over 270,000 American prisoners were once in foster care

  5. 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 Youth

  6. 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 26th birthday and is part of the federal 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.

  7. Youth Leadership and Development Activities • Local, state, and national youth leadership activities • Youth and alumni serve as advisors/partners in all efforts • Youth specialists in all regions (alumni of care) • Youth leadership council (statewide/regional)

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Education: Post Secondary Partnerships • College partnerships • Scholarships 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)

  11. 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 1-877-268-4063

  12. 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 condition

  13. 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 program • Less Restrictive/Non-Traditional Living Arrangement • Receives minimal case management & support services • Allowed increased responsibility and less supervision • Application & approval processed through State SIL Coordinator.

  14. 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 Homes

  15. 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 21 • Contact regional state PAL staff for information.

  16. 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

  17. Workforce Partnership DFPS 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 referrals

  18. 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.

  19. 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 Listwww.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

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