PolicyBriefingPaper December10,2009 ByChristenMiller cmiller@texanscareforchildren.

org

TransitionstoAdulthoodforTexasFosterYouth

Everyyear,hundredsofTexaskidswhowereremovedfromtheirfamiliescareduetoabuseorneglect turn18withouteverhavingfoundapermanenthome.Sometimestheyleavethestatescarewithtoo littleguidanceandsupporttomakeitontheirown.

ExecutiveSummary Roughly1,500fosteryouthleavethestatescareeachyearwithouta While70%offoster permanenthomeorfamilytoprovidethemwithsupportintheirfirst youthsaytheywant yearsofadulthood.Transitionstoindependencewithoutafamilys toattendcollege, emotionalorfinancialsupportcanpreventmanyoftheseyouthfrom reachingtheirtruepotential.Fosterchildrenwhoreachadulthood only3%receivea beforefindingapermanenthomefaceheightenedratesofincarceration, collegedegree. homelessness,joblessness,teenpregnancy,poverty,andmentalillness. AsurgeinthenumberofchildrentakenintotheDepartmentofFamily andProtectiveServicescustodyinthe1990sandearly2000smeans,forthenextdecade,Texascan expecttocontinuetofaceahighnumberofyouthagingoutofcare.Toimproveoutcomesforthese youthandsaveTexasmillionsofdollarsannuallyinlostwagesandopportunitycosts,werecommended thefollowingforTexas: 1. Promotelastingconnectionstocaringadultsthroughcontinuedeffortstopromotepermanency infosterchildrenslives,reducefostercareplacements,anduseavailabletoolstobuildlasting relationshipsbetweenyouthandsupportiveadults. 2. Expandhousingoptionsfortransitioningyouth,includingsupportiveapartmenthousing, supervisedsharedhousing,paidkinshipplacements,andfosterhomesforyoungadults. 3. Helpyouthdevelophabitsthatpromotefinancialsecurity,suchasmatchedsavingsaccount programs. 4. Increasefundingfortransitionprogramstaffandservicestomeetthedemandsofagrowing fosteryouthpopulation. 5.


December10,2009 PolicyBriefingPaper

TransitionstoAdulthoodforTexasFosterYouth ChristenMiller,PublicPolicyIntern cmiller@texanscareforchildren.org

Foranyteen,thetransitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodcanbedifficult.Shapinganidentity,learning hardlessonsaboutresponsibilityandrelationships,andmasteringthepracticalskillsofdaytodayliving canleadmanyyoungadultstodelaybecomingfullyselfsufficientuntilwellintotheirtwenties.These youngadultsrelyonthesupportfinancial,emotional,andsocialoffamilymembersandcaringadults astheymovealongthepathtowardadulthood.Foryouthwhoageoutofthefostercaresystem, however,thispathmaynotexist.Whilesomefindsuccess,others,withoutthesupportsavailableto theirpeers,arenotsofortunate.Fosterchildrenwhoreachadulthoodbeforefindingapermanent homefaceheightenedratesofincarceration,homelessness,andmentalillness.Thispaperexplores issuesfacingyouthwhoageoutoffostercareandhowTexascanhelpfosteryouthnavigateasuccessful transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthood. DefiningAgingOutofFosterCareandtheEmancipatedPopulationinTexas Achildagesoutorisemancipatedfromthefostercaresystemwhenheorshereaches18yearsof ageiandisnolongerobligatedtoremaininthecustodyoftheTexasDepartmentofFamilyand ProtectiveServices(DFPS).Priortostatelegislationpassedin2009,thecourtsjurisdictionendedwhen youthturned18evenfortheapproximately500youthwhovoluntarilyremainedinfostercareafter age18inordertocontinuereceivingsupportuntiltheywerebetterpreparedtoliveindependently.As of2009,thecourtcancontinuetohavejurisdictionafterage18iftheyouthrequestsitorisnotableto careforhimorherself.InTexas,youthcanvoluntarilyremaininfostercareuntilage22ifenrolledinan educationalprogramoremployedatleast80hourspermonth.ii InTexas,1,468youthagedoutoffostercarein2008,and,asofAugustofthesameyear,4,395youth age1417werepreparingtoageoutinthenextthreeyears.iiiThefostercarealumnipopulationis expectedtocontinuegrowingduetoasurgeinthenumberofoutofhomechildprotectiveplacements inthe1990sandearly2000s.Childprotectionreformsthatbeganin2005putgreateremphasison preventionandpermanencyplanning,reducingthenumberofchildrenenteringfostercare.Therewasa 3.5%declineintheoutofhomecarepopulationfrom20062007alone;ivhowever,thisleavesa bubbleofchildrenwhowillbeagingoutinthecomingdecade. BarrierstoSuccessforFormerFosterChildren Formostadolescents,an18thbirthdayismerelysymbolicofindependence;fewchangestotheyoung personsresponsibilitiesandcircumstancesoccurimmediately.Familymembersoftenoffermaterial resourcesintheformofhousing,utilities,andmeals.Forafosteryouth,losingthesesupportsatage18 canbeamajorbarriertosuccess.Forexample,findingandmaintainingajobcanbeverydifficultwhen onecannoteasilyaccesstheinternet,atelephone,orreliabletransportation.Thisisespeciallytruefor an18yearoldwithlittlejobexperienceorknowledgeofcommunityresources. 2

 Anarguablygreaterbarriertosuccessfortheseyouthistheabsenceofacaringadulttoprovide guidance,advice,andinstruction.Lessonsaboutadultresponsibilitiesmoneymanagement, housekeeping,relationships,andhealthcaremaybemissed,nottomentionemotionalsupport, encouragement,andreassurance.Anemancipatedyouthislikelytohavespent,onaverage,fiveyears ofhisorherlifeinthefostercaresystem.Olderyouthtypicallyhavelittlestability,movingbetween fosterhomesandinstitutionalsettings,onaverage,roughlyninetimesduringafiveyearperiod(Thisis morethantwicetherateofplacementchangesforchildrenwhodonotageoutofcare,butinsteadare adoptedorplacedbackwiththeirfamily.).vWithsomanyplacements,itisnotsurprisingthatmany fosteryouthlackcaringadultsupportsystems. While70%offosteryouthsaytheywanttoattendcollege,only3%receiveacollegedegree.viAstudyof 122serviceprovidersinNewEnglandexploredbarrierstoeducationalattainmentofyoutheligiblefor theChafeeEducationalandTrainingVoucherprogram.viiResultsshowedthatmanyyouthwhowere awareofavailablesupportsdidnotaccessthembecauseofpriornegativeexperienceswithschooland childwelfaresystems.Failuretohaveneedslikehousing,transportation,andmentalhealthmetcan furtherimpedeacademicachievement.viii Itisimportanttorememberthatmanyfosteryouthovercomechallengesanddoexceedinglywell. However,outcomestatisticsshowthatfosteryouth,asagroup,strugglemorethanotheryoungadults: Fostercarealumniaremorethantwiceaslikelytodropoutofhighschool.ix Afterfouryearsofindependencefromthefostercaresystem,onlyhalfofformerfosteryouth holdajob.x A2003studyfoundathirdoffostercarealumnihavehouseholdincomesatorbelowthe federalpovertylevelxinearlythreetimesthenationalpovertyrate.xii Thirtypercentofhomelessadultsreporthavingbeeninvolvedinthefostercaresystem.xiii Oneinfourformerfosteryouthhavereportedsymptomsofposttraumaticstressdisorder, comparedto4%ofthegeneralpopulation.xiv Roughly30%offosteryouthwhoageoutofcarehaveadiagnosedmentalhealthchallenge, suchasdepression.xv Theteenbirthrateforgirlsinfostercareistwicethatofthegeneralpopulation.Nearlyhalfof allgirlswholivedinfostercarearepregnantatleastoncebyage19.xvi Amongmalefosteryouthandalumni,30%areincarceratedbyage19.xvii TheEconomicImpactforTexas EachoftheabovelistedoutcomescarriesahighpriceforTexasandtaxpayers.Allowingfosteryouthto fallthroughthecracksrepresentslostpotentialandrealeconomicandsocialexpensesforyearsto come.Forexample,eachformerfosteryouthwhoisincarceratedcostsTexasanaverageof$22,650per year,notaccountingforinflation.xviiiFormerfosterchildrenarealsomorelikelytolivebelowthepoverty lineandbedependentongovernmentaidsuchasMedicaid,TemporaryAssistancetoNeedyFamilies (TANF),andtheSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP,formerlyfoodstamps)asadults. Theseprogramsrangeinaveragemonthlycosts,butcantotalapproximately$600permonthper person.xixForthe1,468youthwhoagedoutoffostercarein2008,thecostofMedicaid,TANF,SNAP, andimprisonmenttotalapproximately$8.5millionayear,withoutevenaccountingforinflation.xxThis doesnotincludelostopportunitycostsforformerfosteryouthwhodropoutofhighschoolorremain jobless,mentalhealthservicecosts,andotherexpensesassociatedwithbarriersformerfosteryouth encounter. 3

CurrentPoliciestoHelpTransitioningYouth Whiletheabovestatisticsaredisheartening,theyneednotpredictthefutureofanyfosterchild.Recent policychangesprovideopportunitiesforimprovedoutcomes.ThefederalFosteringConnectionsto SuccessandIncreasingAdoptionsAct(FosteringConnections),passedinOctoberof2008,seeksto improveaccesstoeducationandhealthcareandextendfederalsupportforfosteryouthuntilage19, 20,or21whicheverstateschoose.Thissupportisprovidedforyouthwhoareemployedorenrolledin college,atechnical/trainingschool,oraworktrainingprogram.xxiTexashasextendedsupportuntilage 21(22ifstillinhighschool)since2005,sothenewfederallegislationwillreplacestatefundswith federalfunds.xxii Findingindependenthousingthatofferstherightbalanceoffreedom,supervision,andresourcesthat youngpeopleneedcanbeastruggle.UndertheFosteringConnectionsAct,thefederalgovernmentwill makefostercarepaymentsforyouthwholiveinsupervisedindependentlivingsettingsbeginninginFY 2010.xxiiiDFPSispreparingfortheimplementationofFosteringConnections,whichwillofferfederal andstatefundedindependenthousingoptionstoTexasfosteryouthforthefirsttime.xxiv Texasisalsotakingmorestepsthaneverbeforetomakesurethevoicesoffostercarealumniareheard. Abillpassedin2009requiresDFPStocreateatransitionallivingworkgrouptogenerate recommendationsforimprovingservicestoyouthleavingfostercare.Thisgroupincludestransitional serviceproviders,CASAvolunteers,formerfosteryouth,andotherrelevantprofessionals.xxvTheYouth LeadershipinitiativeatDFPSbringsformerfosteryouthintoadvisoryrolesineachDFPSregiontoadvise staffandsupportthestatewideYouthLeadershipCouncilofcurrentandrecentlyemancipatedfoster youth.Itisusedasanavenueforinputandfeedbacktoinformprogramdevelopment.xxvi Texaslawmakershavemadeeducationandhealthforfosteryouthapriority.TheLegislaturehaswaived tuitionandfeesatstateuniversitiesforformerfosterchildrenwhoageoutofcareorwereadopted aftertheageof14.xxviiOver1,700studentsbenefitedinthe20062007schoolyear.xxviiiIn2009,this programwasexpandedsothatfosteryouthhaveuntilage25toenrollincollegeandtakeadvantageof thetuition/feewaiver.xxixAdditionally,theEducationalandTrainingVoucherProgramprovidesfoster carealumniages1623upto$5,000peryearineducationalassistance.xxxStatelegislationfrom2005 expandedformerfosteryouthsaccesstoMedicaidsothatfosteryouthwhoarelivingindependentlyor stillreceivingfostercareservicesareeligibleforMedicaiduntiltheir21stbirthday.xxxi DFPS,workforcedevelopmentboards,andtheTexasWorkforceCommission,alongwithcommunity basedorganizations,allhavearoleinmeetingtheuniqueemploymentneedsoffosteryouth.TheTexas Legislaturein2009gaveformerfosteryouthahiringpreferenceatstateagenciesoversimilarlyqualified applicantsxxxiiandidentifiedemancipatedfosteryouthaseconomicallydisadvantagedindividuals, makingthemeligibleforemploymentbenefitsavailabletomembersofthisgroup.Oneofthemost persistentbarrierstoemploymentislackofdocumentation.Itisnearlyimpossibletogetajobwithouta birthcertificate,passport,driverslicense,socialsecuritycard,orotherofficialidentification.Legislation from2009requiresthatyouthage16andolderhavecontinuousaccesstopersonalidentification documents,includingastateissuedI.D.card,asocialsecuritycard,andimmunizationrecords,and assignsaDFPSemployeetoensureyouthreceivethesedocumentsandhelpwiththeirreplacementif lostorstolen.xxxiii ThefederalFosteringConnectionsActrequiresthat,90daysbeforeayouthisemancipated,a caseworkermusthelptheyouthdevelopapersonaltransitionplan.xxxivTexastakesthisfurther:planning fortransitiontoadulthoodandtransitionalfamilygroupdecisionmakingbeginsatage14.Thisincludes 4

enrollingtheyouthinthePreparationforAdultLiving(PAL)programandindividuallytailoredadultlife skillseducationinasupervisedsetting.xxxvPALbeginswithanindependentlivingskillsassessment,and includestrainingoneverydayactivitiessuchasgroceryshopping,laundry,moneymanagement,finding housing,transportation,selfcare,andhousekeeping.Theprogramalsoprovidesshorttermfinancial assistance,jobskillstraining,andvocationalandeducationalservices.xxxviIn2008,of8,610eligibleTexas youth,7,622receivedPALservices,xxxviiamarkedincreaseoverthe4,297participantsin2002.xxxviii EvidenceBasedandPromisingPracticesforImprovingTransitionstoAdulthood Onewaytoensurethatstatepolicyhelpsimproveoutcomesforfostercarealumniisbyimplementing fostercaretransitionprogramswithaprovenrecordofsuccess.Thereareevidencebasedpromising practicesacrossthenationandinTexasthataresettingthestageforsuccessfulyouthtransitions. Practice#1:Continuedfostercareandcourtinvolvement Youthwhoremaininacourtinvolvedchildwelfaresystembeyondage18fareconsiderablybetterthan thosewhodonot.xxxixAsmentionedabove,Texaspassedlegislationin2009allowingyouthtovoluntarily remainundercourtjurisdictionuntilage21.Thiswillgiveyouthcontinuedaccesstoanattorneyor guardiantoassisttheminaccessingservices.xlAmajorstudyhasalsofoundthatthosewhoremainin fostercarebeyondage18aremorelikelytopursuehighereducation,delaypregnancy,andhave increasedlifetimeearnings.xliInTexas,allowingyouthtostayinfostercareuntilage21costsroughly $35,000perchild,xliibutthefederalgovernmentwillpayforaportionofthesecostsstartinginFY2010 whentheFosteringConnectionsActgoesintoeffect,savingstatedollars.xliiiAstudyontheeffectofthe FosteringConnectionsActinCaliforniashowedthatforeverydollarspentkeepingkidsinfostercare untilage21,therewasa$2.40returnonthatinvestmentfortheyouthwhoearnabachelorsdegree anda$2returnoneachdollarforthosewithsomecollege.xlivAstudyontheeffectsofaproposed transitionalsupportprogramforCaliforniafosteryouthpredictedthatitwouldincreaselifetime earningsandtaxespaidduetoincreasededucationandwouldloweruseofTANFandprison,resulting inabenefitcostratioof1.5to1.xlv Practice#2:Assetbuildingprograms Savingsandfinancialplanninginitiativeshelpyouthbuildresourcesthatfacilitateeconomicsuccess.The JimCaseyYouthOpportunitiesInitiativesOpportunityPassportprogramisoneexample.Theprogram, whichisprivatelyfunded,offersfostercareyouthage1424matchedsavingsIndividualDevelopment Accounts(IDAs)topromotemoneymanagementskillsandexperiencewithmainstreamfinancial systems,whilealsoprovidingawaytobuildassets.Afoundationmatchesupto$1,000peryearfor savingsthatcanbespentoneducation,healthcare,avehicle,housing,investment,andenterprise.xlvi Citiesintenstatesareutilizingthisprogram.xlviiOutcomesurveysshowthatyouthwhoareparentsand whohavenoadultsupportuseIDAsathigherratesthantheirpeers,indicatingthattheprogramworks evenforthosefacingthegreatestbarrierstoeconomicsuccess.Assetpurchasersreportagreater likelihoodofhavingstableemploymentandhousing.Theassetmostoftenpurchasedwasavehicle, providingyouthwithreliabletransportationtoworkorschoolandgreatlyexpandingaccesstojobsand safe,affordablehousing.xlviii Practice#3:Transitioncenters Youthneedeasyaccesstoavarietyofservicesinordertotransitionsuccessfully.Transitioncenters offerjustthataonestopshopforfostercarealumnitolearnaboutandaccesscommunityresources andnecessitiesforindependentliving.TheyhousePALclasses,jobskillstraining,counseling,case management,andotherservicesallunderoneroof,whichiscriticalforyouthforwhomnavigatingan 5

uncoordinatedpatchworkofservicesspreadoutacrossacitycouldotherwiseeasilyprovechallenging. Sometransitioncenters,suchastheLifeworksYouthResourceCenterinAustin,evenoffercomputers, longdistancephoneservice,voicemail,andofficeequipmentuse.UtilizingservicesthroughLifeworks hasyieldedavarietyofpositiveoutcomes:98%ofclientsdidnotexperienceasubsequentpregnancy, 83%improvedtheireducationand/oremployment,and100%hadstablehousing30daysafter discharge.xlixTherearetenexistingtransitioncentersinTexas,yetmanypartsofthestatelackthistype ofservicecoordinationaltogether.InitialtransitioncenteroperationswerefundedbytheTexas WorkforceCommission,CaseyFamilyPrograms,andvariouscommunitypartners,landtheyare strugglingwithverylimitedfinancialandhumanresourcestomeettheneedsofyouthwhoseektheir services. Practice#4:Independenthousing Supportive,affordablehousingallowsyouthtopracticeindependentlivingskillswhiletheytransitionto independence.FirstPlaceFundinOakland,California,foundthatfosteryouthparticipatingintheir transitionalhousingprogramweresixtimeslesslikelytobecomeincarcerated,fourtimeslesslikelyto behomeless,threetimeslesslikelytoreceivepublicassistance,and50%morelikelytobeemployed thanthegeneralpopulationoffosteryouth1218monthsafterleavingfostercare.Thisprogram graduallydecreasestherentalsubsidiesitpaystoparticipantsoverthecourseoftwoyears,soyoung adultshavetimetoadapttoindependenceratherthanabruptlyloseallrentassistance.li Practice#5:Lastingemotionalsupportsystems Fewthingsmattermoreforasuccessfultransitiontoadulthoodthanhavingalastingemotional connectiontoacaringadult.Astudyof339olderyouthinfostercarefoundthatthosewhohada naturalmentoringrelationshipatage18hadfewersymptomsofdepression,lessstress,andgreater satisfactionwithlifesixmonthslater.liiThesamegroupcontinuedtoshowlowerstresslevelsandwas lesslikelytohavebeenarrestedatage19comparedtoyouthwhodidnothaveamentor.Thisstudy definesanaturalmentorassomeonetheyouthselectedwhoisanadultandnotrelated,butoffersa willingear,alongwithguidanceandencouragement.Asanexample,51%offosteryouthinasimilar studyidentifiedadultstheyhadmetthroughformalservicesystemssuchascaseworkersorcounselors asnaturalmentors.liiiProgramssuchasDFPSsCirclesofSupport,whichbringstogetheragroupof youthselected,caringadultswhohelptheyouthcarryouthisorhertransitionplan,mayhelppromote naturalmentoringrelationships.liv RecommendationsforTexas Recentfostercaretransitionlegislationandbestpracticeprogramsacrossthestatearebigstepsinthe rightdirection.Tocontinueimprovingoutcomesforfostercarealumni,werecommendthatTexas: 1. Promotelastingconnectionstocaringadults. Thepositiveoutcomesassociatedwithhavingapermanentconnectiontoacaringadultaretoostrong toignore.AChapinHallstudyofformerfosterchildrenfoundthatemotionalsupportrepresentedthe supporttheseyoungadultsmostneededandmostlacked.lvThemostsignificantwaytoprovidethis connectionistocontinuepromotingpermanencyinCPScasesthroughreunification,placementwith someoneayouthidentifiesasafamilymember,adoption,andfostercaregiverretentionefforts.Until permanencyisachieved,asecondarygoalshouldbetominimizethenumberoffostercareplacements achildexperiences.lviAnotherwaythestatecanpromotelastingconnectionsisbyformally incorporatingatoolsuchasapermanencypactawrittenagreementbetweenafosteryouthanda 6

caringadultestablishingapermanent,supportiverelationshiplviiintothePALcurriculumorintoCircles ofSupport.CurrentlyDFPSgivesoutinformationaboutthistypeoftool,butitisnotpartofeither program.lviiiIncorporatingsuchatoolintotheseprogramswouldcarrylittle,ifany,cost. 2. Expandhousingoptionsfortransitioningyouth. Youthtransitioningtoadulthoodneedhousingoptionsthatofferacontinuumofservicesand supervision.Currentlytherearefewchoicesbetweenlivinginafosterhomeandlivingindependently. Supportiveapartmenthousingforthosepreparedforindependentliving,supervisedsharedhousingfor thosewhoneedmorestructure,paidkinshipplacements,andfosterhomeswithcaregiversspecially trainedtohelpguideyouthages18andolderwouldprovideamorecomprehensiveapproach.DFPSis currentlygatheringinformationonoptionsforandchallengestoimplementingsupervisedindependent livingsettingsunderthefederalFosteringConnectionsAct.lixGiventhepositiveoutcomesassociated withsuchplacements,TexasneedstomaximizeitsuseoffundingavailablethroughFostering Connectionstoprovideasmanyindependentlivingarrangementsasitcan.Oncethefederal governmentbeginsfundingeligiblesupervisedindependentlivingplacements,DFPSwillpayonlyasmall portionofthesecosts.lx 3. Helpyouthdevelophabitsthatpromotefinancialsecurity. PromotingparticipationinIDAprogramscanpavethewaytofinancialsuccess.Asanexampleofthe shorttermcostsofanIDAprogramfundedbytheprivatesector,participantsintheJimCasey FoundationsOpportunityPassportassetbuildingprogramcanreceiveupto$10,000inmatchedfunds overtenyears.Actualcostsvarybecausenotallparticipantssavetheyearly$1,000maximum,nordoall remainintheprogramfortenyears.lxiThehabitofsavingdevelopedbyyouthwhosavethroughanIDA continuestopayoffwellintothefuture.lxii 4. Increasefundingfortransitionprogramstaffandservices. Therearetwoprongsoftransitionservicesthatneedsupport.First,communitybasedtransitioncenters requireadditionalfundingtoprovidecurrentservicestoagrowingfosteryouthpopulation.Theirpublic fundinghasbeenseedmoneyonly,andtheperiodforthosefundsisending.DFPShasencouragedthe developmentoftransitioncenters,andthestatehasaresponsibilitytofundthiseffectiveinfrastructure foryouthforwhomithasbeentheparent.ExistingtransitioncentersinTexashaveroughlyestimated theywouldneedaminimumof$100,000annuallytoincreasecasemanagementforexistingyouthat eachofthetencenters,approximately$1millionannually.lxiiiAstartupinvestmentisalsoneededfor newtransitioncenters,oralternativetransitionservicesmodels,inpartsofthestatethatdonothave anexistingtransitioncenter.Second,hiringmorecaseworkersandworkingtowardcaseworker retentionwithinDFPSwillalsoimprovetransitionservices.Despiterecentreforms,caseworker caseloadsarestillfaraboverecommendedlevels.Forexample,in2008,CentralTexasPALcaseworkers carriedupto450casesatonce,makingitverydifficulttoeffectivelyandthoroughlydeliverPAL services.lxivFundingforadditionalstaffduringthe20102011bienniumshouldimproveprojected caseloads,butadditionaljobresponsibilitiesforPALstaff,suchasmaintainingtheNationalYouthin TransitionDatabaselxvandfulfillingthenewdocumentationrequirementfortransitioningyouth,lxvimake thetruecaseloadimpactofadditionalfundingdifficulttodetermine.
i

TexasFamilyCode,Title5,SubtitleB,http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/?link=FA SB6,Relatingtoprotectiveservicesandcertainfamilylawmatters;providingpenalties.Availableat: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=SB6 iii DFPSdatabook2008http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_Reports/2008/databook/default.asp

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CaseyFamilyProgramsTexas2020DataBriefWhatistheimpactofscreeningsandinvestigationsonthenumberofchildreninout ofhomecareinTexas?Availableatwww.casey.org/Resources/Publications/DataBriefs/pdf/Texas.pdf v DFPSdatabook2008http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_Reports/2008/databook/default.asp vi Ibid. vii TolearnmoreabouttheChafeeEducationalandTrainingVoucherprograminTexas,goto http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Preparation_For_Adult_Living/chafee.asp viii Wells,Melissa,andZunz,SharynChallengesandstrengthsamongChafeeEducationandTrainingVouchereligibleyouth:Therural serviceproviders'perspectiveChildrenandYouthServicesReview,Volume31,Issue2,February2009,Pages235242 ix ImprovingOutcomesforOlderYouthinFosterCareCaseyFamilyPrograms,Seattle,WAwww.casey.org x Ibid. xi Pecora,P.J.,Kessler,R.C.,Williams,J.,OBrien,K.,Downs,A.C.,English,D.,White,J.,Hiripi,E.,White,C.R.,Wiggins,T.,&Holmes, K.E.,ImprovingFamilyFosterCare:FindingsfromtheNorthwestFosterCareAlumniStudy.Seattle,WA:CaseyFamilyPrograms. Availableathttp://www.casey.org. xii USCensusBureauPoverty:2004highlightshttp://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty04/pov04hi.html xiii ChildWelfareLeagueofAmerica2007ChildrensLegislativeAgendawww.clwa.org xiv Ibid. xv ImprovingOutcomesforOlderYouthinFosterCareCaseyFamilyPrograms,Seattle,WAwww.casey.org xvi MelissaFletcherStoeltjeSanAntonioExpressNewsFosterkidsturnedmomsbecominganalarmingtrend http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Foster_kidsturnedmoms_becoming_alarming_trend.html xvii ImprovingOutcomesforOlderYouthinFosterCareCaseyFamilyPrograms,Seattle,WAwww.casey.org xviii Stephan,JamesJ.BureauofJusticeStatisticsSpecialReport:StatePrisonExpenditures,2001.USDepartmentofJustice.Available onlineat:http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pubalp2.htm#spe xix Texasspentanaverageof$439permonthforeachnondisabled,nonelderlyadultMedicaidrecipientinFY2007,accordingtothe TexasHealthandHumanServicesCommission.TexasMedicaidandCHIPinPerspective(ThePinkBook).SeventhEdition,January 2009.Availableathttp://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Medicaid/reports/PB7/PinkBookTOC.html.InJulyof2009,Texasspentanaverageof $68foreachofitsTANFStateProgramrecipients,andinSeptember2009TexasSNAPpaymentsaveraged$122perrecipient, accordingtoTexasHealthandHumanServicesCommission,TexasTANFandSNAPEnrollmentStatistics.Availableat http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/research/TANF_FS.asp xx ThisisanapproximationbasedonTexansCarescalculationthata)30%ofthe798malefostercarealumni(assumingthepercentage ofmaleswhoemancipatedfromfostercarereflectsthepercentageofmalesinfostercareasawhole)willspendanaverageofatleast 1yearintheprisonsystem(basedonanaveragetimeservedof4.5yearsforTexasprisoninmates,91%oftheincarcerated population,and.8yearsforTexasstatejailinmates,9%oftheincarceratedpopulation),atacostof$22,650peryear(2001costs) totaling$5,422,410,notadjustedforinflation,b)33.2%ofthe1468youthagingoutofcarein2008willliveinpoverty,ofwhich2.77% willbeeligibleforandreceiveTANFbenefits(equivalenttothepercentageofTexasspopulationinpovertywhoreceivedTANFinJuly of2009),ofwhich4.3%willbepaidforwithstatedollars,totaling$473.70c)33.2%of1468emancipatedyouthwillliveinpoverty,of which100%willreceiveMedicaid(assumingthatalltakeadvantageofnewlegislationthatallowsforasingleMedicaidapplicationup toage21)totaling$2,567,496.77andd)33.2%of1468emancipatedyouthwillliveinpoverty,ofwhich77.5%willbeeligibleforand receiveSNAPbenefits(equivalenttothispercentageforallTexansinpoverty)totaling$552,976.80.Totals$8,543,357,27annually. xxi ChildrensDefenseFundFosteringConnectionstoSuccessandIncreasingAdoptionsActSummary,October2008 xxii SB6,Relatingtoprotectiveservicesandcertainfamilylawmatters;providingpenalties.Availableat: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=SB6 xxiii Inordertoqualifyforthisfundingthefosteryouthmustbeenrolledinhighschool,aGEDprogram,college,atrade/technical school,anemploymentprogramormustbeemployed. xxiv InterviewwithGayeVopat,StatewidePreparationforAdultLivingSpecialist,TexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices. October9,2009. xxv HB1912,ImprovingTransitionServicesforYouthLeavingFosterCare.81stTexasLegislativeSession.Availableonlineat http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1912 xxvi DFPSTransitionalLivingServicesProgramDescriptionhttp://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Transitional_Living/default.asp xxvii SB6,Relatingtoprotectiveservicesandcertainfamilylawmatters;providingpenalties.Availableat: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=SB6 xxviii DFPSTransitionalLivingServicesProgramDescriptionhttp://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Transitional_Living/default.asp xxix SB43,Relatingtotuitionandfeeexemptionsatpublicinstitutionsofhighereducationforstudentswhohavebeenunderthe conservatorshipoftheDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices.81stTexasLegislativeSession.Availableonlineat http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB43 xxx TDFPSTransitionalLivingServicesProgramDescriptionhttp://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Transitional_Living/default.asp xxxi SB6,Relatingtoprotectiveservicesandcertainfamilylawmatters;providingpenalties.Availableat: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=SB6 xxxii HB1043,Relatingtothecreationofemploymentopportunitiesforcertainformerfosterchildren.Availableat http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1043
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HB1912,ImprovingTransitionServicesforYouthLeavingFosterCare.81stTexasLegislativeSession.Availableonlineat http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1912 xxxiv ChildrensDefenseFundFosteringConnectionstoSuccessandIncreasingAdoptionsActSummary,October2008 xxxv HB1912,ImprovingTransitionServicesforYouthLeavingFosterCare.81stTexasLegislativeSession.Availableonlineat http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1912 xxxvi Ibid. xxxvii DFPSdatabook2008http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_Reports/2008/databook/default.asp xxxviii DFPSdatabook2004http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_Reports/2008/databook/default.asp xxxix Buss,Emilyet.Al.FromFosterCaretoAdulthoodTheUniversityofChicagoLawSchoolFosterCareProjectsProtocolforReform, 2008. xl CenterforPublicPolicyPriorities.PolicyPage:ChildProtectiveServicesandthe81stLegislature.July16,2009.Availableonlineat http://www.cppp.org/files/4/412_CPS.pdf. xli Courtney,Mark,AmyDworskyandHaroldPollackWhenShouldtheStateCeaseParenting?EvidencefromtheMidwestStudy ChapinHallCenterforChildrenIssueBrief,December2007 xlii AccordingtotheDFPS2008DataBook,therewere30,150paidfostercareclientsand31,058childreninfostercareinTexasin2008. Atotalof$363,973,648,waspaidtothesefamilies,averaging$11,719perchildperyear. xliii CenterforPublicPolicyPriorities.PolicyPage:NewFederalFosterCareLegislation:WhatitMeansforTexas.November3,2008. Availableonlineathttp://www.cppp.org/files/4/newfostercare.pdf. xliv Courtney,MarkE.,Dworksky,Amy,Peters,ClarkM.,Pollak,Harold.CaliforniasFosteringConnectionstoSuccessActandtheCosts andBenefitsofExtendingFosterCareto21PartnersforOurChildren,UniversityofWashington,ChapinHallCenterforChildren ChapinHall,2009.Availableat:http://www.chapinhall.org/research/brief/extendingfostercareage21weighingcostsgovernment againstbenefitsyouth xlv Packard,Thomas,Delgado,Melanie,Fellmeth,Robert,andMcCready,Karen.Acostbenefitanalysisoftransitionalservicesfor emancipatingfosteryouthChildrenandYouthServicesReview,Volume30,Issue11,November2008,Pages12671278 xlvi TheOpportunityPassport:BuildingAssetsforYouthAgingoutofFosterCareFindingsfromtheJimCaseyYouthOpportunity Initiative,June2009 xlvii Gray,Aracelis.Connectedby25:FinancingAssetBuildingandFinancialEducationProgramsforYouthTransitioningOutofFoster Care.ConnectedBy25andTheFinanceProject.April2007 xlviii TheOpportunityPassport:BuildingAssetsforYouthAgingoutofFosterCareFindingsfromtheJimCaseyYouthOpportunity Initiative,June2009 xlix Lifeworks2008AnnualReporthttp://www.lifeworksaustin.org/site/c.jqLSIXOBKpF/b.1504613/k.B698/News.htm l DFPSTransitionalLivingServicesProgramDescriptionhttp://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Transitional_Living/default.asp li Packard,Thomas,Delgado,Melanie,Fellmeth,Robert,andMcCready,Karen.Acostbenefitanalysisoftransitionalservicesfor emancipatingfosteryouthChildrenandYouthServicesReview,Volume30,Issue11,November2008,Pages12671278

Munson,MichelleR.andMcMillen,J.Curtis.Naturalmentoringandpsychosocialoutcomesamongolderyouth transitioningfromfostercareChildrenandYouthServicesReview,Volume31,Issue1,January2009,Pages104 111

liii

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Munson,MichelleR.andMcMillen,J.Curtis.Naturalmentoringandpsychosocialoutcomesamongolderyouthtransitioningfrom fostercareChildrenandYouthServicesReview,Volume31,Issue1,January2009,Pages104111 liv TransitionalPlanningandCirclesofSupport.http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Transitional_Living/forms.asp#planning lv Samuels,GinaM.AReason,aSeason,oraLifetime:RelationalPermanenceAmongYoungAdultswithFosterCareBackgrounds ChapinHallCenterforChildrenattheUniversityofChicago,2008. lvi ImprovingOutcomesforOlderYouthinFosterCareCaseyFamilyPrograms,Seattle,WAwww.casey.org lvii PermanencyPacthttp://transition.fosterclub.com/article/permanencypact lviii InterviewwithGayeVopat,StatewidePreparationforAdultLivingSpecialist,TexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices. October9,2009. lix InterviewwithGayeVopat,StatewidePreparationforAdultLivingSpecialist,TexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices. October9,2009. lx CenterforPublicPolicyPriorities.PolicyPage:NewFederalFosterCareLegislation:WhatitMeansforTexas.November3,2008. Availableonlineathttp://www.cppp.org/files/4/newfostercare.pdf. lxi TheOpportunityPassport:BuildingAssetsforYouthAgingoutofFosterCareFindingsfromtheJimCaseyYouthOpportunity Initiative,June2009 lxii SavingsforEducation,Entrepreneurship,andDownpayment(SEED)DemonstrationProjectSurvey, http://www.illinoisassetbuilding.org/wpcontent/uploads/2009/03/csaoverviewfinal.pdf,page8. lxiii AsanexampletheestimatedannualbudgetforLifeworksYouthResourceCenterinAustinis$200,000.Theyserved360former fosteryouthin2008. lxiv TravisCountyCPSBoard:YouthAgingOutSubcommittee,ReportfortheCommissionersCourt.April17,2008.Availableonlineat http://www.co.travis.tx.us/commissioners_court/agendas/2008/04/vs080415.asp#work_session lxv FormoreinformationontheNationalYouthinTransitionDatabase,seeFederalRegister45CFRPart1356,Vol73,No.38.February 26,2008.


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