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40% of the nation's homeless were in
foster care as a child.
— National
Foster Care Awareness Project/Youth Today/March 1999
58 % of the youth utilizing federally funded
youth shelters are former foster care youth.
— National
Homeless Organization/Sept. 1998
One study found that within 12-18 months of
leaving foster care:
• 27% of
the males; 10% of the females had been incarcerated
• 33% were receiving public assistance
• 37% had not finished high school
• 50% were unemployed
— National
Foster Care Awareness Project/The Casey Family Program/1996
Baltimore Study: 77% of foster teens required
a mental health referral
— National
Adolescent Information Center/May 1996
A 1998 study found that within 12-18 months
of leaving foster care:
• 55% had completed high school
• 50% were employed
• 18% had been incarcerated
• 32% were receiving public assistance
— Courtney & Piliavin/1998
According to Westat Inc., a national study
of independent living programs for emancipated foster youth, the average
child is rarely completely independent before the age of 25.
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Become a Foster Parent
In the Texas foster care
system, there is a great need for families who will provide care for
teens and for sibling groups. We would like to connect you with
private and public agencies throughout Texas that are actively
seeking foster and adoptive homes. Please consider providing a safe,
nurturing environment to children who have been abused, abandoned or
neglected.
If you enjoy teaching, mentoring and helping teens, you can consider
being a “life coach,” a very special foster parent who will
concentrate on preparing teens for independent living and
self-sufficiency. Life Coach Homes are licensed foster homes that
provide a small group setting designed to meet the needs of
teenagers who are very likely to remain in care until their 18th
birthday. Life skills are emphasized with practical experience in
areas such as budgeting, menu planning, cooking, job networking and
interview skills. Other skill sets are taught in the areas of
relationships and personal growth. There is an urgent need for more
Life Coach Homes to care for teenage foster youth. You will be
trained on how to help the youth prepare for independent living.
To get more information about becoming a foster parent, please
complete the
Foster/Adopt Interest Form
. You will receive a packet of
information and the dates of orientation sessions that are near your
home.
Steps to becoming a Foster Parent
Basic Requirements for Fostering
Calendar of
information meetings
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