Services Provided for Former Foster Children

by Fatherofeight | More from this Blogger

22 Jan 2007 11:37 PM

Most people in Texas are aware that there are many children in the foster system that are available for adoption. It is sad to note that many of these children will remain in foster status until they are eighteen years old and released into society.

Many of these children will have been moved numerous times. The fortunate segment of foster children will spend all or mostly all of their time in one long term home that provides a loving and caring environment. Unfortunately, many of the children who are moved a lot will be in at least some homes that will neglect and / or abuse them.

In addition, most foster homes are unable or unwilling to keep a young person after they reach eighteen because the home will no longer receive subsidies from the state. This phenomenon will force a young man that our family knows out of the home that he has lived in for many years. He is an intelligent young man who is probably still too immature to fend for himself.

There is a new place to assist young people who have come of age in the state system called the Houston Alumni and Youth Center. It was established to provide services such as educational counseling, job information, and help finding affordable housing. Most foster graduates do not go on to college. This is very unfortunate, considering that Texas law enables young people who have gone through the foster system to receive four years of tuition at any state chartered university or college.

The most popular resource that the center provides is the reunification of siblings. It is very unusual for a sibling group to be able to stay together once they have been in the foster system for very long. It is next to impossible for siblings to keep track of each other once they are separated.

Former foster children can register at the center giving their name and basic information. The center can then match names and many siblings have been brought back together. Volunteers at the center are finding that the young people want to find their brothers and sisters more than they want education, employment, or housing.

The new facility is performing a valuable service to this overlooked segment of our society. It is showing these young people that someone indeed cares for them. Similar programs should be started in other cities and states.

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PATTI (580) 23 Jan 2007 11:34 AM

Dear Ed, It sounds like other states need to take action for foster children that are 18 and above. These young adults are still God's children. PATTI

Fatherofeight (2475) 23 Jan 2007 02:50 PM

It is so sad when someone has to grow up without a family. Thanks, Patti.

gina00 (680) 20 Feb 2007 08:47 AM

What a wonderful program! Is Texas currently the only state offering such services? I can't imagine any 18 year old, let alone a child coming from a background of abuse/neglect being ready at 18 to be a successful adult w/o the help of a supportive family/friends. Have you heard of the Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, in TX? It seems like a wonderful program for kids that have come from difficult backgrounds where they're getting godly help & training. We like to support them. After our foster care experiences here in CO it seems like they were really doing it the right way, offering the range of treatment/services, focusing on the Lord, and helping the families as well. I have been really encouraged by your blogs. Thank you!! Tim & Gina Swanson

Fatherofeight (2475) 20 Feb 2007 03:27 PM

Thanks so much, I don't know if other states are providing a resource like this one, if you want more info, you might get on the Houston Chronicle site, www.chron.com, and type Hay Center into their search engine, they did an article about the place. Thanks for reading, Ed.