1. 1 Shannon Ramsey-DFPS Team Lead Dr. Christine Lynn Norton, LCSW, Associate Professor, Texas State University Building a Successful Foster Care Alumni Support System on Your Campus: Education Reach for Texans-7 th Annual Convening, June 7, 2016

2. Tips for Starting Campus Support Programs It takes a village… –Core staffing team –Foster Care Advisory Council –Student engagement –Interns (Social work, counseling, etc.) –Alumni relations –Community partners –Other key stakeholders 2

3. Tips for Starting Campus Support Programs Program components –Advocacy –Faculty/staff/peer mentoring –Scholarships/financial aid –Book lending library –Academic coaching/tutoring –Career services –Counseling –Financial literacy –Resources to address food insecurity –Housing supports (if possible) 3

4. Tips for Starting Campus Support Programs Strategies for normalizing group identity –Student organization –Social events –Recognizing individual achievements –Community service: Pay it forward –Leadership opportunities –Adventure-based group work and other experiential activities –Trauma-informed, strengths-based approach 4

5. CPS-Transitional Living Services 5 Understanding the importance of understanding transitional living services available to former foster youth…

6. Primary Benefits and Services to Transitioning Youth What is Foster Care? Overview of Transitional Living Services (handout) Permanency Planning Circle of Support meetings, and Transition Plan Meetings Aging Out Seminars Preparation for Adult Living Services (PAL) Life Skills Training, and Aftercare Case Management Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program College Tuition and Fee Waiver Post Secondary Education Workgroup Extended Foster Care Supervised Independent Living Additional Activities for Youth Regional and State Youth Leadership Councils Additional Resources for Transitioning Youth National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Contact Information 6

7. DFPS Regional Map 7

8. What is Foster Care? When children can't live safely at home, a court of law can give the State of Texas temporary or permanent legal custody. CPS will then place these children in foster care. Foster care is meant to be temporary until a permanent living arrangement is found. CPS works closely with families to make it safe for children to return permanently to their parents or other family members.works closely with families Foster Care gives children who are unable to live with their parents or other family members a safe place to live until they can return to their parents' home or are found a permanent home. 8

9. Overview of Transitional Living Services Transitional Living Services provide a multipurpose, systemic and integrated approach for youth and young adults to help in transitioning to a successful adulthood through coordinated permanency and transition planning. The provision of Transitional Living Services includes access to information about benefits, supports, and resources that affect both older youth in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care. Transitional Living Services apply to youth and young adult's ages 14 up to age 23 (depending on the program) and up to age 26 for continuous healthcare coverage. 9

10. Preparing Youth to Transition to Adulthood  Permanency Planning (ages 14 and older) empowers youth to plan their future and to self advocate while identifying needs, services, and goals to be accomplished toward self-sufficiency. Permanency Conferences, Circles of Support, or Transition Plan meetings are methods for permanency planning and informing youth of available benefits and resources to help in their transition. These meetings are the responsibility of the youth’s caseworker and includes: Discussion of transition plans; Plans for discharge from foster care; Youth can invite 2 adults of their choosing to attend and participate  Circle of Support-age 16 and older (preferred method) Youth driven and the youth identifies a Caring Adult Continuation of the development and review of the youth’s Transition plan. Facilitated by the Family Conference Specialist  Transition Plan Meeting-age 16 and older Provided when a youth does not want a Circle of Support. To develop the transition plan. 10

11. Aging Out Seminars Each Region provides Aging-out Seminars to youth in foster care at age 17 before leaving care PAL staff and Youth Specialists plan and coordinate seminars External Community Partners assist with presentations and other resources Topics include:  Relationships  Human Trafficking  Financial Literacy  Nutrition  Self Advocacy  Overview of all DFPS Transitional Living Services 11

12. Preparation For Adult Living (PAL) Program Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program The PAL program assists older youth (age 16 up to 18) in foster care 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 is funded by the federal Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, State general revenue funds and/or community match (20%). If funds are available PAL may serve youth ages 14-15. Regional PAL staff verify eligibility for the CPS Higher Education Programs. A list of PAL staff is available at: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/ Preparation_For_Adult_Living/PAL_coordinators.asp http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/ Preparation_For_Adult_Living/PAL_coordinators.asp 12

13. PAL-Continued 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). Life skills training (ages 16 to 18) in the following core areas:  Health and Safety;  Housing and Transportation;  Job Readiness;  Financial Management;  Life Decisions/Responsibility;  Personal/Social Relationships  Educational/vocational services Supportive services (based on need and funding availability) may include:  graduation items,  counseling,  tutoring,  driver’s education fees, or  mentoring. 13

14. PAL-Continued Additional Benefits Include (ages 18 to 21): A 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). Case management to help young adults with self-sufficiency planning and resource coordination. 14

15. Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program ETV is a federally-funded (Chafee) and state-administered program. ETV is based on the cost of attendance (COA) as established by higher education, youth in foster care or other eligible young adult's ages 16 up to the age of 21 or 23 may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in financial assistance per year. ETV covers expenses such as room and board, books and computers, tuition (if appropriate) transportation, child care, and personal expenses. ETV assists students reach their postsecondary education goals if they meet the following criteria: Have a high school diploma or GED; or Enrolled in a dual-credit course or other course at an institution of higher education for which the student will earn a high school diploma and college credit. The ETV program is administered through an outside contractor Students must submit a FAFSA when applying for ETV Students apply for ETV at: www.TexasETV.comwww.TexasETV.com Youth are informed about ETV from Caseworkers, in PAL classes, Aging Out Seminars, College Conferences, Teen Conferences and other youth events 15

16. ETV-Continued Enrollment must be in an Accredited or Pre-Accredited Public or Private non-profit program/institution that: Provides a bachelor’s degree or not less than a 2 year program that provides credit towards a degree or certificate; Provides not less than a one year program of training for gainful employment; Has been in existence for two years and offers training for programs in a recognized occupation. Individuals eligible for ETV include: 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 (formerly TJPC) and are in a Title IV-E placement when turning age 18; or Tribal youth or young adults in tribal foster care (same age limit); or The above eligible students who move out of state to attend school and were originally enrolled in ETV in Texas. 16

17. College Tuition and Fee Waiver The college tuition and fee waiver is a state law that provides exemptions from payment of tuition and fees at a Texas state supported college or university to individuals formerly in Texas foster care and adopted youth. To be exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, youth or young adults must have been in DFPS conservatorship. Exemptions occur: the day before the student's 18 th birthday; the day of the student’s 14 th 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 child/youth was adopted and the adoption occurred on or after September 1, 2009; if permanent managing conservatorship (PMC) of the youth was granted to a non- parent on or after September 1, 2009; or 17

18. College Tuition and Fee Waiver-Continued Continued-Eligible Individuals: a youth that was returned to the legal responsibility (court ordered) of the parent on or after June 1, 2016 at: age 14 and older and were in DFPS's PMC; or age 16 and older and were in DFPS's temporary managing conservatorship (TMC); or when a student is enrolled in a dual credit course or other courses in which the student may earn joint high school and college credit and if tuition hasn't been waived. **These students must enroll in higher education before their 25 th birthday. An adopted student who was/is subject to an adoption assistance agreement. * There is no age limit to enroll in school for these individuals. PAL staff and Adoption Eligibility Specialist verify eligibility and provide youth and young adults the waiver to present at college financial aid offices. 18

19. Use of the Tuition & Fee Waiver 19 Sources: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Annual Report to DFPS Former Foster Youth Total 4245 Total 4625 Total 4674

20. Post Secondary Education (PSE) Workgroup-HB 3748 A post secondary education workgroup was established in November, 2015. The purpose of the PSE Workgroup is to: Implement the requirements of HB 3748 (84 th Legislative session) which also created the Foster Care Student Liaison Officer position. –DFPS and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board entered into an MOU (Jan 2016) to: Exchange aggregate information of former foster youth enrolled in Texas schools (those eligible from the college tuition waiver); Evaluate the educational outcomes of these young adults Create an annual report of identified education outcomes to include age, race/ethnicity, and gender. Increase readiness for and access to Higher Education opportunities –Develop a comprehensive manual of higher education resources for high school counselors, caseworkers, caregivers, and college foster care student liaisons. 20

21. Housing-Extended Foster Care Program A young adult who ages out of foster care at age 18 is eligible for Extended Foster Care provided: there is an available placement; and the young adult signs a voluntary extended foster care agreement; and meets at least one of the following conditions: –18 up to 22 year olds, and:  regularly attending high school or enrolled in a program leading toward a high school diploma or school equivalence certificate (GED); or is –18 up to 21 years old, and;  regularly attending an institution of higher education or a post-secondary vocational or technical program (minimum six hours per semester); or  actively participating in a program or activity that promotes, or removes barriers to, employment; or  employed for at least 80 hours per month; or  incapable of doing any of the above due to a documented medical condition. 21

22. Supervised Independent Living (SIL)Program The SIL program is a component of the Extended Foster Care program and allows young adults to live independently under a minimally supervised living arrangement provided by a DFPS contracted provider. A young adult in SIL is not supervised 24-hours a day and is allowed increased responsibilities. Living arrangements may include apartments, non-college and college dorm settings shared housing and host home settings. Individuals are assisted in transitioning to independent living, achieving identified education and employment goals, accessing community resources, engaging in needed life skills trainings, and establishing important relationships. Young adults must apply for and be accepted into the SIL program SIL Housing is not considered a grant for Young Adults enrolled in college. 22

23. Additional Activities for Youth and Young Adults PAL Experiential Camp-A camp 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-An annual 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 College Conferences-Texas A&M Commerce and Lone Star Colleges each host 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. 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. 23

24. Youth Leadership Councils Regional and Statewide Youth Leadership Councils (YLC) Comprised of youth or young adults (ages 16 to 21) 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 24

25. Additional Resources for Transitioning Youth Texas Medicaid-Healthcare Coverage for Former Foster Care Children Available to Young Adults ages 18 through 25 Must have been in foster care on their 18 th birthday and receiving Medicaid Other Healthcare Programs for Former Foster Youth: –Superior Healthplan –a2A CentAccount Rewards Program (https://www.fostercaretx.com)https://www.fostercaretx.com 2 DFPS College Scholarships for Former Foster Youth Texas Youth Connection webpage www.texasyouthconnection.orgwww.texasyouthconnection.org Partnerships with 17 Transition Centers in all 11 CPS Regions Youth Specialists (alumni of foster care) are hired as full time or part time employees in each DFPS region TWC funds Workforce Advocate positions at 14 Transition Centers specifically to serve foster youth. Foster youth are a priority population in Texas Workforce Centers 25

26. National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) What is NYTD? The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program gives flexible funding to states to assist youth with their successful transition to adulthood. The law required the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) to develop a data collection tracking system to capture services, outcomes and basic demographics which was implemented in Texas starting in 2010. Who is surveyed (outcomes)? NYTD is a multi-tiered cohort study. All foster youth will be surveyed at 17; a random selection of these youth will be surveyed again at 19 and 21. Every 3 rd year a new cohort of 17 year olds will be surveyed. In FFY15, DFPS surveyed a random sample of 21 year olds who took the survey at age 17. Here are results of the educational questions from the survey: 65% received a high diploma or GED 21% were enrolled and attending school (high school, GED, post-high school vocational training or college) 26

27. DFPS Contact Information Shannon Ramsey-Transitional Living Services-Team Lead Shannon.ramsey@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-2350 Larry Burgess-Extended Foster Care/SIL Program Lead Lawrence.Burgess@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-5320 Gaye Vopat-Preparation For Adult Living/NYTD Program Lead Gaye.vopat@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-5442 Tym Belseth-Youth Specialist/ETV State Office Program staff Tymothy.Belseth@dfps.state.tx.us 512-438-3769 Texas Department of Family and Protective Services-Transitional Living Services https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Transitional_Living/def ault.asp https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Transitional_Living/def ault.asp 27