Foster Youth Transition Centers Madeline Reedy, Senior Director – TRAC Shannon Bowling, Lead Case Manager

Today We Will: Review the vast needs of foster youth Identify how Transition Centers can help youth Provide insight into Region 3’s Foster Youth Transition Center Locate the transition center in your region Youth leaving the foster care system are unprepared for independent living & face significant challenges & barriers as they transition out of State care when they turn 18.

The Hard Truth Former Foster Youth are at high risk of homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, unplanned pregnancy, under education, and financial instability Youth leaving the foster care system are unprepared for independent living & face significant challenges & barriers as they transition out of State care when they turn 18.

The Average Alumni The majority of youth were removed from their families between the ages of 11 and 15. Spent over 5 years in care Had 8 or more placements Had 5 CPS workers Youth leaving the foster care system are unprepared for independent living & face significant challenges & barriers as they transition out of State care when they turn 18.

So how can we break the cycle of poverty and help to connect these youth to community resources, support systems, and stability?

Transition Centers provide a central clearinghouse of one-stop services to serve the diverse needs of current and former foster youth, homeless youth, or other at-risk youth. Transition Centers

Texas Transition Centers are all individually operated and supported by various partners such as the: Texas Dept. of Family & Protective Services (DFPS); Chafee (PAL) Providers; Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Local Workforce Boards; and Local colleges and universities

Why Transition Centers? One-Stop Centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance under one roof. Services may include employment assistance, training, educational support, access and referrals to community partners and resources and various transitional living services such as PAL classes, job search and job readiness classes, food and housing assistance, and substance abuse / mental health counseling.

TRAC’s Mission Connect young people, age 16-24, who are transitioning from substitute care toward self-sufficiency, with individualized support, planning and access to community services.

Annually serve about 800 youth in various programs across a 19 county area in North Texas

TRAC Services include: Training Case Management Housing Education/Workforce Services Crisis Intervention Transition Center

Life Skills Training: Preparation for Adult Living Life Skills Training Ages 16-18 Via referral from the CPS PAL Unit

Case Management: Aftercare Case Management Transition Planning Coaching Model Ages 17 ½ - 21 Via referral from the CPS PAL Unit

Housing: Street Outreach Emergency Assistance Transitional Housing Permanent Supportive Housing Rapid Rehousing Ages 18-24 Screened for eligibility

Workforce Services: Employment Assessments Job Search Job Retention Education Assistance Ages 16 - 25

Education: Education Assistance Retention Recovery Higher Education Ages 16-24 Partnership with Dallas ISD Throughout Dallas County

Crisis Intervention: Crisis Coordinator Partnerships w/ other entities Referrals Assessment

Transition Center: Food Pantry Clothing Closet Resource Wall Computer Lab Training Room Basic Needs Pantry

Statewide Transition Centers:

Statewide Transition Centers: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Transitional_Living/transition_centers.asp

Questions?

3108 Live Oak St. Dallas, TX 75204 4532 Altamesa Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76133 214-370-9300 www.citysquare.org/TRAC