HOSTED BY: ALMA ARANDA PAL SPECIALIST
WHAT HAPPENS TO OLDER FOSTER YOUTH? ADOPTION RATES ARE LOWER FAMILY REUNIFICATION HAS NOT BEEN ACHIEVED
What is PAL? Preparation for Adult Living is a Preparation for Adult Living is a program whose purpose is to prepare youth for adult life when they leave foster care.
Who gets PAL Services? • Priority population that must be served is • Priority population that must be served is youth in foster care who are age 16 or older youth in foster care who are age 16 or older and likely to remain in foster care until at least age 18. • • Youth in relative (non-paid) placement can paid) placement can also receive services if they will remain in care until 18.
What do youth do in PAL? Youth attend PAL Training that covers the Youth attend PAL Training that covers the following areas (30 Clock hours): • • Health and safety • • Housing and transportation • • Job readiness • • Financial management • • Life decisions and responsibilities • • Personal and social relationships Must complete PAL Training to be eligible for Transitional Living Allowance of $1000. Given to them when they transition (AGE OUT) from foster care. Must be working or going to school.
What is PAL Aftercare Services? PAL may provide services for youth who PAL may provide services for youth who have aged out of foster care but have not yet have aged out of foster care but have not yet reached age 21 in the form of: CASE MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Up to what age can a former foster youth get Medicaid? A youth must have AGED OUT at 18 in order to A youth must have AGED OUT at 18 in order to get Medicaid through their 25 get Medicaid through their 25 th birthday or if they are Legal Permanent Residents* until 21 they are Legal Permanent Residents* until 21 (*LPRs must meet a 5 year rule to be eligible to qualify for Medicaid until 26). (*LPRs must meet a 5 year rule to be eligible to qualify for Medicaid until 26).
What is a Tuition Waiver? A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees at any A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees at any TEXAS public university or college if they were in care: TEXAS public university or college if they were in care: •The day preceding the student's 18th birthday; •The day preceding the student's 18th birthday; •The day of the student's 14th birthday, if the student was also eligible for adoption on or •The day of the student's 14th birthday, if the student was also eligible for adoption on or after that day; after that day; •The day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high •The day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma; school diploma; •The day the student was adopted if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; •The day the student was adopted if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; •The day permanent managing conservatorship of the student was grant to an individual •The day permanent managing conservatorship of the student was grant to an individual other than the student's parent, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; or other than the student's parent •If the student enrolls in a dual credit course or other course which a high -school student •If the student enrolls in a dual credit course or other course which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit, and is in conservatorship on the day of may earn joint high school and college credit, and is in conservatorship on the day of enrollment. enrollment. •A youth age 14 or older on or after June 1, 2016 that subsequently exits DFPS's •A permanent managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of the parent; or permanent managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of the parent; or •A youth age 16 or older on or after June 1, 2016 that subsequently exits DFPS's •A temporary managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of the parent. temporary managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of the parent. **The student must enroll as an undergraduate not later than the student's 25th **The student must enroll as an undergraduate not later than the student's birthday birthday.
What is E.T.V.? Education & Training Voucher Program provides Education & Training Voucher Program provides postsecondary education funds to postsecondary • youth that AGED OUT of foster care (were not living with • youth that AGED OUT of foster care (were not living with parent prior to aging out) • • or who were adopted or entered into a Permanency Care Assistance agreement after turning age 16. • • or foster care youth enrolled in dual enrollment courses The ETV program serves youth age 16 up to the month of their 23rd The ETV program serves youth age 16 up to the month of their 23rd birthday and is based on the students cost of attendance. birthday and is based on the students cost of attendance. * * Eligible young adults may receive up to $5,000 in financial assistance per year.
How long can a youth stay in Foster Care? Youth can remain in care until 21 as long as Youth can remain in care until 21 as long as they are: • Working part-time (80 hours a month) or • • Attending high school or college (part-time) time) OR • Volunteering at least 15 hours a week. ( until 22 if still in high school-Special Needs youth).
What can I do to HELP? FOSTER PARENTS: FOSTER PARENTS: Allow Normal Age Appropriate Activities Allow Normal Age Appropriate Activities • • Stay informed on school progress Stay informed on school progress • • Teach youth life skills (cooking, paying bills , etc…) Teach youth life skills (cooking, paying bills , etc…) • • Be Informed on PAL Benefits Be Informed on PAL Benefits • • Be PATIENT Be PATIENT • • CASA: ADVOCATE FOR THE ABOVE SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS/OTHERS: HELP OUR YOUTH GRADUATE!! IT TAKES A VILLAGE
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE GRADUATION RATE FOR FOSTER YOUTH? 51% LESS THAN 3 % GRADUATE FROM A 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY
THANK YOU!!! PAL ALMA ARANDA (956) 369-4586 4586 ALMA.ARANDA@DFPS.STATE.TX.US
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