Quality InitiativePurpose: We work in coalition with public and private services providers, policymakers, other stakeholders and consumers (youth and alumni) to address the needs of youth aging out of foster care in Travis County and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to harness the energy and power of the coalition to find creative ways to address longstanding problems and gaps facing foster youth in our current systems, and improve policies, supports and resources for them that will ultimately lead to improved life outcomes.
Co-Chairs and contact information:
- Carol Bellman, Casey Family Programs This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 512-691-1565
- Leslie Gaines, LifeWorks This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 512-324-6885
Participating members:
| Name | Organization |
| Forrest Antonio Carol Bellman Karin Bonicoro Erica Brewington Molly Broadway Dewy Brooks Nida Brown Judy Burns Elaine Carter Samantha Clark Faye Cormier Vivian Dorsett Loretta Edelen Mike Foster Leslie Gaines Peg Gavin Ashley Gallardo Dianna Groves Stephanie Hayden Brian Hinojosa Ophelia Jaushlin Josh Krueger Sandy Lawrence Tracy Levins Meagan Leleux Ryan Miller Trista Miller Mary Christine Reed Deborah Risovi Daniel Russo Kristin Shanahan Jeanne Stamp Lindsey Templer Melissa Unterseher Zepeda, Ana |
Ethan's House Casey Family Programs Child Protection Court of Central Texas DFPS PAL Goodwill Texas Higher Education Coordinating board DFPS-PAL Community member Casey Family Programs A World For Children Superior Health Plan Independent/FCAA Austin Community College Texas Association of CPAs LifeWorks LifeWorks Superior Health Plan AISD City of Austin Ethan's House DFPS LifeWorks Region XIII Homeless Education Texas Youth Commission DFPS-PAL CASA Alumna Texas Foster Youth Justice Project Partnerships for Children CASA Settlement Home Texas Homeless Education Program DFPS PAL Juvenile Probation Casey Family Programs |
Announcements:
- Our group started in September of 2008. We have a diverse group that is committed to assuring that youth who age out of foster care in our community are more prepared and supported as they make the sometimes difficult transition to adulthood.
- Check out this great resource guide developed by the Foster Youth Justice Project for youth aging out of foster care and the Q & E (Quick & Easy) resource guide developed by LifeWorks listing resources for youth aging out of care in the Austin area.
Current Activities and Accomplishments:
We have 3 work groups (members have a special interest or expertise in these focus areas)
- Employment (job training, career exploration and job placement). Team lead: Elaine Carter
- Education (high school/GED completion and post secondary education). Team leads: Judy Burns/Mike Foster
- Mental Health (A range of issues for youth leaving care with special mental health needs). Team lead: Carol Bellman
Our activities and accomplishments include:
- We developed a guide for safe boarding homes for foster youth aging out . Guide does not endorse any particular boarding home but gives enough information to guide youth and providers to homes that meet their needs.
- We are clarifying school policies for foster youth, e.g. re: continuity of school records, supports available and TEA status as an at-risk category. This has exposed misunderstandings in both the school districts and DFPS which have led to sub-optimal support of foster youth in our school systems, for which we are seeking solutions.
- We continue to work with DFPS, the court system, CASA and others to assure that youth aging out of foster care have all their necessary documents (e.g. birth certificate) in order to be prepared for life after foster care. Superior (Star Health) is a strong partner that helps youth increase access to and improve continuity of healthcare after they age out of the foster care system.
- We are working with Partnerships for Children and other partners to provide mentors for youth in care (age 12-18), which will include a financial education/mentoring and asset development component. Our goal is to assure that every youth that ages out in Travis County has an ongoing supportive relationship and a financial safety net for basic needs.
- We are working on ways to increase the voice of foster youth and alumni in the development of policies and procedures for foster youth, e.g. supporting the participation of foster youth and former foster youth in legislative process at the Texas legislature.
- We are helping to distribute a great resource guide developed by the Foster Youth Justice Project that is available online, for youth aging out of foster care. We are also helping to distribute the LifeWorks/Casey Family Programs’ Q & E (Quick & Easy) resource guide for youth aging out of care in the Austin area.
Team meetings:
We meet on the first Friday of every month, from 12-2 pm at Casey Family Programs, 5201 E. Riverside Dr., Austin TX 78741. New members are welcome. If you would like to participate in a meeting, please contact Carol Bellman by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Leslie Gaines by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
