1. Foster Youth Transition Centers
Madeline Reedy, Senior Director – TRAC
Shannon Bowling, Lead Case Manager

2. Today We Will: Review the vast needs of foster youth
Identify how Transition Centers can help youth
Provide insight into Region 3’s Foster Youth Transition Center
Locate the transition center in your region
Youth leaving the foster care system are unprepared for independent living & face significant challenges & barriers as they transition out of State care when they turn 18.

3. The Hard Truth
Former Foster Youth are at high risk of homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, unplanned pregnancy, under education, and financial instability
Youth leaving the foster care system are unprepared for independent living & face significant challenges & barriers as they transition out of State care when they turn 18.

4. The Average Alumni
The majority of youth were removed from their families between the ages of 11 and 15.
Spent over 5 years in care
Had 8 or more placements
Had 5 CPS workers
Youth leaving the foster care system are unprepared for independent living & face significant challenges & barriers as they transition out of State care when they turn 18.

5. So how can we break the cycle of poverty and help to connect these youth to community resources, support systems, and stability?

6. Transition Centers provide a central clearinghouse of one-stop services to serve the diverse needs of current and former foster youth, homeless youth, or other at-risk youth.
Transition Centers

7. Texas Transition Centers are all individually operated and supported by various partners such as the:
Texas Dept. of Family & Protective Services (DFPS);
Chafee (PAL) Providers;
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Local Workforce Boards; and
Local colleges and universities

8. Why Transition Centers?
One-Stop Centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance under one roof.
Services may include employment assistance, training, educational support, access and referrals to community partners and resources and various transitional living services such as PAL classes, job search and job readiness classes, food and housing assistance, and substance abuse / mental health counseling.

9. TRAC’s Mission
Connect young people, age 16-24, who are transitioning from substitute care toward self-sufficiency, with individualized support, planning and access to community services.

10. Annually serve about 800 youth in various programs across a 19 county area in North Texas

11. TRAC Services include:
Training
Case Management
Housing
Education/Workforce Services
Crisis Intervention
Transition Center

12. Life Skills Training:
Preparation for Adult Living Life Skills Training
Ages 16-18
Via referral from the CPS PAL Unit

13. Case Management: Aftercare Case Management Transition Planning
Coaching Model
Ages 17 ½ - 21
Via referral from the CPS PAL Unit

14. Housing: Street Outreach Emergency Assistance Transitional Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing
Rapid Rehousing
Ages 18-24
Screened for eligibility

15. Workforce Services: Employment Assessments Job Search Job Retention
Education Assistance
Ages

16. Education: Education Assistance Retention Recovery Higher Education
Ages 16-24
Partnership with Dallas ISD
Throughout Dallas County

17. Crisis Intervention: Crisis Coordinator Partnerships w/ other entities
Referrals
Assessment

18. Transition Center: Food Pantry Clothing Closet Resource Wall
Computer Lab
Training Room
Basic Needs Pantry

19. Statewide Transition Centers:

20. Statewide Transition Centers:

21. Questions?

22. 3108 Live Oak St. Dallas, TX
4532 Altamesa Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76133