Leaving foster care can be a daunting transition. As the time approaches when you age out of foster care programs, feelings of anxiety and uncertainty are completely normal. Questions about housing, financial stability, continuing education, and career prospects are common. However, it’s crucial to know that there is significant support available to help you prepare for and succeed in independent living. This guide will walk you through the resources and programs designed specifically for young adults like you who are aging out of foster care, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge needed for a successful future.
Understanding Extended Foster Care for Aged Out Youth
Upon turning 18, you are legally recognized as an adult with the option to leave foster care. While this legal independence is significant, prematurely leaving care may not be the most beneficial path. Many young people, even those who haven’t experienced foster care, find independent living challenging. It demands the ability to cover all living expenses and manage numerous responsibilities. For youth aged out of foster care, this transition is often even more difficult, especially given the limited short-term financial assistance available. Sustaining essential expenses like rent and utilities necessitates stable employment and meticulous financial planning.
However, opting to remain in or return to care after 18 is possible through Extended Foster Care. While in this program, you gain more autonomy in decision-making but must adhere to the program’s requirements and the rules of your living arrangement. It’s important to note that placement availability isn’t guaranteed. Loss of placement could mean CPS may not be able to secure another one. Extended Foster Care can extend support up to the last day of the month you turn 22, provided you meet specific criteria. For those aged 18 to the last day of the month they turn 22, eligibility requires regular high school attendance or enrollment in a program aimed at a high school diploma or GED. For those aged 18 to the last day of the month they turn 21, eligibility criteria include:
- Enrollment in a higher education institution, college, or post-secondary vocational or technical program, with a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester.
- Active participation in an employment program or activity designed to facilitate or remove barriers to employment. This encompasses a wide array of activities, so discussing potential options with your caseworker and PAL worker (page 15 in the original document) is advisable to identify opportunities that enhance your employment skills.
- Maintaining employment for at least 80 hours monthly.
- Being on vacation or breaks between academic semesters. Extended Foster Care can be utilized for 1 to 3 ½ months post-high school or GED program graduation before commencing college or another post-secondary program, given you have plans to enroll in the subsequent regular session. Returning to Extended Foster Care during school breaks of 1 to 4 months is also permissible, ideal for gaining job experience, internships, or volunteer work. Classes must resume at the start of the next session.
- Inability to engage in the aforementioned activities due to a documented medical condition, such as receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to a disability.
Continued participation in Extended Foster Care hinges on meeting these activity requirements. Failure to comply will result in mandatory exit from the program. Regular meetings with your caseworker are crucial to discuss and plan for meeting these requirements. Written plans should be in place, and prompt communication with your caseworker and PAL worker is essential if you need assistance securing employment, enrolling in education, or fulfilling any program requirements.
A young adult foster youth looking thoughtful, representing the decisions and planning required when aging out of foster care programs.
Returning to Extended Foster Care: Options for Aged Out Youth
Even after leaving foster care, returning to Extended Foster Care might be an option for aged out youth. However, it’s not guaranteed. Placement availability can be uncertain, and finding a placement in your desired location might be challenging. Your previous foster home may not have vacancies. Factors like adult felony or misdemeanor convictions, substantiated child abuse or neglect findings, or a history of placement disruptions can further complicate securing a placement.
If you are considering returning to Extended Foster Care, reaching out to the regional PAL Staff or contacting the main CPS number at (800)252-5400 (for abuse reporting) is recommended. Inform them that you are an aged out foster youth seeking to return to care and need to connect with regional PAL Staff. You can also seek assistance from the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project.
For returns to Extended Foster Care during school breaks (1-4 months), proactive planning is key. Contact CPS well in advance, ideally weeks beforehand, to facilitate a smoother return process.
Supervised Independent Living: A Pathway for Aged Out Foster Youth
Supervised Independent Living (SIL) represents a modern approach to Extended Foster Care placements. SIL allows young adults to live more independently while still benefiting from casework and support services. SIL placements can range from apartments and dormitories to houses, offered through various SIL providers with flexible housing arrangements. Although regular check-ins from a caseworker are part of the program, 24/7 on-site supervision by foster parents or staff is not provided, though some programs may have on-site staff depending on the housing type. In SIL, CPS covers housing costs and provides funds for living expenses like food and phone bills. Importantly, any income earned from employment while in SIL is yours to keep. With housing expenses covered, this allows for significant savings for future needs like housing post-foster care or transportation.
Eligibility for SIL requires being between 18-20 years old, applying for SIL placement, and demonstrating maturity and responsibility. Meeting Extended Foster Care requirements, such as working, attending school, participating in training, or having a documented medical condition, is also necessary. More information about Supervised Independent Living is available on the DFPS website. SIL has become a popular option, offering relief from the challenges often encountered by young adults leaving the foster care system, even for those who experienced difficulties in traditional foster care settings.
Trial Independence: A Transition Phase for Aged Out Foster Youth
Upon leaving foster care at 18 or older, state law initiates a Trial Independence period of 6 months (extendable to 12 months with a court order). During this phase, you can live independently while receiving transitional benefits like the Transitional Living Allowance, Aftercare Room and Board, Education and Training Voucher (available even while in foster care), Aftercare Case Management, and Former Foster Care Children’s (FFCC) Medicaid. Regardless of trial independence status, the option to Return to Extended Foster Care remains if eligibility criteria are met and a placement is available. Your CPS court case remains open during Trial Independence, facilitating quicker return to Extended Foster Care if needed. While returning to Extended Foster Care is possible after Trial Independence, court case closure might make it harder to secure court assistance and oversight for transitional services. (See Extended Court Jurisdiction section).
An example of Trial Independence is moving into college dorms after leaving foster care. Returning to Extended Foster Care during summer breaks suspends trial independence, which resumes upon returning to college in the fall.
Trial Independence, while potentially confusing, is designed to support young adult foster youth transitioning to independence and returning to Extended Foster Care if necessary. It also enables CPS to access federal funding for Extended Foster Care. If you prefer to forgo Extended Foster Care and require only standard aged-out foster youth benefits, no specific action is needed beyond taking the necessary steps to access desired benefits and services.
Limited Placement Options: Challenges for Older Foster Youth
Unfortunately, placement options for older foster youth, particularly those over 18, are often limited. While ongoing efforts aim to expand these options, availability may be constrained when seeking to return to Extended Foster Care, especially with a history of placement challenges. Careful planning and securing sufficient financial resources and income streams before leaving your current placement are crucial. This is particularly important if you are in education or have the option to remain in your current living situation past 18. It’s advisable to reserve limited transitional funds for when concrete, well-developed plans are in place. Abruptly leaving foster care without the means to cover upcoming rent and bills can lead to significant difficulties. If your current placement is unsuitable, but you are open to other foster care options, discussing potential alternatives with your caseworker and PAL worker is recommended. Transitional Living Programs or Supervised Independent Living Placements, which may have waiting lists, or future foster home placements could be explored.
Leaving Foster Care: A Planned Transition for Aged Out Youth
When you decide to leave foster care, informing your caseworker and PAL worker well in advance is essential. This allows them to make necessary arrangements and initiate your benefits smoothly. Youth who leave abruptly often face challenges in accessing benefits. Requesting a 12-month Trial Independence court order, instead of the standard 6 months, is also an option to extend the support period.
Extended Court Jurisdiction: Support for Aged Out Foster Youth
Upon turning 18, the court overseeing your foster care case retains jurisdiction for specific periods. For youth in Extended Foster Care, continued court oversight is legally mandated. Even after leaving care, Extended Court Jurisdiction remains for 6-12 months during Trial Independence, providing a safety net for court assistance and facilitating quicker returns to Extended Foster Care if necessary. Hearings during this period are not mandatory, and your attendance is not required, but attending can be beneficial if issues arise. CPS will not supervise your living situation or maintain contact unless you request transitional services like Transitional Living Allowance, Aftercare Room and Board, Education and Training Voucher, and Aftercare Case Management. If you wish to extend court jurisdiction beyond Trial Independence, up to age 21, for potential future assistance without returning to Extended Foster Care, you can formally request this from the Court.
Communicating your desire to maintain court case openness until 21 or for a 12-month Trial Independence directly to the Judge during court hearings is the most effective approach. Informing your caseworker, CASA, and Attorney Ad Litem is also important. A written request to the Court, including your full name, address, phone number, court name, and case number (if known), is another option.
Remember, at 18, you are legally an adult, no longer under CPS custody (conservatorship). The Court cannot dictate your actions or residence. Extended Court Jurisdiction, while seemingly intrusive, is a valuable resource for foster youth. It supports educational and employment goals, addresses unmet needs, such as obtaining identification documents and facilitating sibling contact.
If you require court intervention to secure CPS services or assistance, contact the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project.
Planning for Life After Foster Care: Starting Early for Aged Out Youth
Transition planning should commence as early as age 16. If your caseworker doesn’t initiate this discussion, take the initiative. Youth in Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities who entered while in foster care are still entitled to Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program services, even if released post-18 and ineligible for return to foster care. Contact Disability Rights Texas at (800)252-9108 if PAL services are absent in your facility or for other assistance as a confined foster youth. (See Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program section).
Your caseworker should collaborate with your foster parents or caregivers, attorney ad litem, CASA, PAL worker, and Aftercare worker. These meetings should identify planning needs, discuss Extended Foster Care options, and review the PAL program. Decisions regarding transition plan development, whether through a Circle of Support or Transition Plan Meetings, will also be made.
Circle of Support: Building a Network for Aged Out Youth
A Circle of Support is a valuable tool for planning your transition from foster care. It’s a network of caring adults, such as foster parents, teachers, relatives, church members, or mentors, who form your support system. Biological family, even parents with terminated rights (unless deemed unsafe by the caseworker), can be included. If family reunification is a goal, informing Circle of Support planners and the court is essential to explore this option. A Circle of Support facilitator, distinct from your caseworker, guides the process and meetings, also discussing inviting your attorney ad litem, CASA, and PAL worker. This group collaboratively develops a written transition plan. You have the right to advance planning for Circle of Support meetings to ensure attendance and follow-up on action items, including subsequent Circle of Support meetings.
Transition Plan Meetings: Focused Planning for Aged Out Youth
Transition Plan Meetings are an alternative for foster youth who prefer not to have a Circle of Support or when time constraints necessitate rapid planning. Even after a Transition Plan Meeting, a Circle of Support can be established later for broader involvement. Besides your caseworker, you can invite two additional participants to these meetings, where your transition plan for independent living is developed.
Contact the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project at (877) 313-3688 if planning is unsatisfactory or absent by age 16 1/2.
Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program: Skills for Independence
The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program, a component of Transitional Living Services, aids in your transition from foster care. It focuses on identifying necessary independent living skills, providing skill-building training, case management, and limited post-foster care financial aid. DFPS manages the PAL program, partnering with agencies to deliver additional services.
When encountering “PAL,” clarify the specific program component being referenced, as the term encompasses various activities and roles. PAL workers are CPS Preparation for Adult Living program employees and serve as primary contacts for transition-related services and resources, including Transitional Living Services.
PAL program services are available to current and aged out foster youth aged 16-21, and in some cases, 14 and 15-year-olds. It serves both youth currently in care and those who have aged out of care programs.
Independent Living Skills Assessment: Evaluating Readiness
Around age 16, DFPS mandates a Casey Life Skills Assessment to evaluate your independent living readiness. Someone familiar with you, like a foster parent, staff member, or caseworker, also completes an assessment. This must occur before age 16 ½ and ideally before the Life Skills Training Class (PAL class). The assessment identifies strengths and areas needing development, such as money management, cooking, cleaning, and job skills, informing your preparation for independent living.
How to Contact PAL Workers: Accessing Support for Aged Out Youth
To find the PAL office serving your area, refer to this directory or search “DFPS Preparation for Adult Living” online. Contact the office serving your current location. If you encounter issues or incorrect office information, contact the State PAL office at (512)438-5442.
Life Skills Training Class: Essential Skills for Independent Living
The Life Skills Training Class, often called PAL or PAL class, is offered to foster youth aged 16 and older and is a key part of the Preparation for Adult Living program. This class provides at least 30 hours of training in 6 critical areas for independent living:
- Health and Safety
- Housing and Transportation
- Job Readiness
- Financial Management
- Life Decisions and Responsibilities
- Personal and Social Relationships
Classes are typically held over several weeks in evenings or weekends, with some areas offering weekend-long programs. While it introduces essential independent living skills, continuous development in these areas post-class is crucial.
IMPORTANT! Successful completion in at least 5 of the 6 areas, including financial management, is required for eligibility for the $1,000 Transitional Services Allowance. Taking the class after leaving foster care is not possible for eligibility. Contact your regional PAL Staff if class scheduling hasn’t occurred by your 17th birthday or if transportation is an issue. If issues persist, contact the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project.
In specific cases, DFPS PAL program approval allows for Life Skills Training class completion via an independent study guide, requiring close adult supervision and assistance. While the class is generally preferred, the study guide is an option if class attendance is impossible before leaving care. Plan and request this option in advance due to completion time requirements.
Financial Services: Support for Aged Out Foster Youth
Transitional Living Allowance and Aftercare Room and Board are financial aid options post-foster care. (See Finding a Place to Live in the Housing section for details).
Health Care Benefits: Medicaid for Aged Out Foster Youth
Youth aging out of foster care in Texas qualify for free health insurance until age 26. Upon leaving foster care at 18 or older, automatic enrollment in Former Foster Care Children’s (FCC) Medicaid Insurance should occur, but steps are needed to maintain coverage until 26. (See the Health Insurance/Medical section of the website for more information).
Case Management for Aged Out Foster Youth: Ongoing Support
Case management services are available until age 21 to assist youth transitioning from foster care. Case managers, typically from private agencies contracted with CPS, help access benefits, housing, employment, job training, education, financial aid, independent living skills, budgeting, bank accounts, and more. Utilizing case management services is optional. Contact regional or state Preparation for Adult Living offices for assistance in accessing case management.
Living with Biological Parents: Considerations for Aged Out Foster Youth
Returning to a biological parent or the person you were removed from is an option for some foster youth. As long as CPS conservatorship remains until age 18, eligibility for aged out foster youth benefits is generally unaffected, even if CPS facilitates placement with parents. However, if biological parents or others gain custody or adoption before 18, benefit eligibility may be impacted. Detailed discussions with your PAL worker, attorney ad litem, and CASA are crucial if considering leaving CPS conservatorship before 18. Even if considered aged out, Transitional Living Allowance and Aftercare Room and Board may be withheld if CPS deems the living situation with a biological parent unsafe.
Educational, Vocational, and Supportive Services: Resources for Success
All youth, in or out of foster care and regardless of age, can access PAL Staff assistance with:
- Obtaining Tuition Waiver letters.
- Information and application assistance for the Education Training Voucher (ETV) program.
- College or other education applications and financial aid applications.
Additional services, subject to need and funding, include:
- Vocational assessments and/or training.
- GED classes.
- College entrance exam preparation.
- Driver education.
- High school graduation expenses.
- Identification documents.
- Counseling.
- Volunteer mentoring programs.
Transition Planning Assistance: Guidance for Aged Out Youth
Regional PAL Staff provides essential transition services for youth still in foster care. PAL Staff or Coordinators assist you and your caseworker with transition planning, explain foster youth benefits, help identify and access regional education, employment, and housing resources, aid in obtaining identification documents, guide higher education applications and financial aid processes, and more.
Other Preparation for Adult Living Program Activities: Expanding Opportunities
- Statewide Teen Conference: An annual three-day conference on a college campus offering workshops relevant to foster youth preparing for adulthood. Adult sponsor required.
- Statewide Youth Leadership Council: Two current/former foster youth representatives from each region providing youth perspectives on policy and program development.
- Regional Youth Leadership Council: Regional councils exist in some CPS regions. Contact your regional PAL worker for regional activities.
- Regional Activities: Local events like teen conferences, college visits, wilderness trips, mentor programs, support groups, job workshops, and youth forums.
- PAL College Conference: A two-day weekend conference at Texas A&M University-Commerce focused on higher education opportunities in Texas colleges.
- PEAKS Camp: A four-day camp promoting self-esteem, problem-solving, communication skills, and fun for foster youth.
- Aging-Out Seminars/Transitional Living Conference: A required one-day program for foster youth age 17 in licensed or verified care, building upon Life Skills Training Class content.
Contact your regional PAL Staff and caseworker for information on statewide or regional events or questions about services and resources.
Transition Centers: One-Stop Support for Aged Out Youth
Transition Centers offer comprehensive services for older and aged out foster youth, and sometimes other at-risk youth up to age 25. Services include Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program access, job skills training, job searching, career exploration, college enrollment assistance, flexible high school diploma and GED programs, financial aid application help (including ETV), housing assistance, identification documents, mentoring, and benefits access for aged out foster youth.
Services vary by Transition Center. Visiting your local center and meeting staff is the best way to learn about available resources. Incorporate a Transition Center visit into your transition planning. If you move, a new Transition Center may be accessible in your new location. Even if center visits are difficult, contacting them by phone to learn about their services and how they can assist you is beneficial.
Transition Center resources may include:
- Bus tokens.
- Housing Assistance.
- Employment and Education Assistance.
- Counseling.
- Computer Labs, E-Mail, and Internet access.
- ETV and financial aid application assistance.
- Aged out foster youth financial benefits information.
- Limited case management for former foster youth ages 21-25.
- Case manager staff for aged out foster youth.
A current list of Texas Transition Centers is available online.
Other Resources: Expanding Your Support Network
Texas Foster Youth Connections provides general tips and information for foster youth and those seeking broader support.
Texas Foster Youth Connections offers information on:
- Foster care records.
- Job opportunities.
- Hotlines.
- Housing.
- Finance.
- Education.
- Healthcare.
- And many other support areas for young adults preparing for independent living.
The Texas Youth Hotline, reachable at (800)989-6884 (call), chat online, or text (512)872-5777, offers confidential counseling, information, referrals, and service location assistance.
Guidance counselors at current or former high schools and individuals who have already navigated similar transitions are also valuable resources.
211: Connecting with Local Services
Dialing 211 or visiting 211Texas.org connects you with health and human services in your community, providing access to program information and support.
