HOSTED BY: ALMA ARANDA PAL SPECIALIST WHAT HAPPENS TO OLDER FOSTER - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

youth in foster care who are age 16 or older

• paid) placement can
• Priority population that must be served is

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

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 have aged out of foster care but have not yet PAL may provide services for youth who 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 get Medicaid through their 25 they are Legal Permanent Residents* until 21

(*LPRs must meet a 5 year rule to be eligible to qualify for Medicaid until 26).

A youth must have AGED OUT at 18 in order to get Medicaid through their 25th birthday or if they are Legal Permanent Residents* until 21

(*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 TEXAS public university or college if they were in care:

• 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

after that day;

• The day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high

school diploma;

• 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
• ther than the student's parent
• 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 enrollment.

• A

permanent managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of the parent; or

• A

temporary managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of the parent. **The student must enroll as an undergraduate not later than the student's birthday

A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees at any TEXAS public university or college if they were in care:

• 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

after that day;

• The day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high

school diploma;

• 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
• ther than the student's parent, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; or
• 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 enrollment.

• A youth age 14 or older on or after June 1, 2016 that subsequently exits DFPS's

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

temporary managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of the parent. **The student must enroll as an undergraduate not later than the student's 25th birthday.

What is E.T.V.?

Education & Training Voucher Program provides postsecondary

• youth that AGED OUT of foster care (were not living with
• The ETV program serves youth age 16 up to the month of their 23rd

birthday and is based on the students cost of attendance.

* Education & Training Voucher Program provides postsecondary education funds to

• 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 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

• time)

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)

OR

• Volunteering at least 15 hours a week.

(until 22 if still in high school-Special Needs youth).

FOSTER PARENTS:

• Allow Normal Age Appropriate Activities
• Stay informed on school progress
• Teach youth life skills (cooking, paying bills, etc…)
• Be Informed on PAL Benefits
• Be PATIENT

FOSTER PARENTS:

• Allow Normal Age Appropriate Activities
• Stay informed on school progress
• Teach youth life skills (cooking, paying bills, etc…)
• Be Informed on PAL Benefits
• Be PATIENT

What can I do to HELP?

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