Transitioning Youth Get Community Support

Left to right: PAL supervisor Nida Brown and Partnership for Children's Amber Brabham (front row), PAL worker Meagan Leleux (middle), and PAL worker Tacolya Singletary, PAL tech Machell Anderson, and PAL worker Brandon Fergueson (back row)

Community-based agencies are integral partners in helping the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) support the thousands of youth in state care, due to abuse or neglect, to transition to self-sufficient adulthood.

Fortunately, Texas has a wealth of support from such agencies, from West Texas to the Piney Woods, from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley.

On December 12, the Youth Empowerment & Success (YES) program from Austin-based Partnerships for Children hosted a party for roughly 150 foster youth, alumni, and volunteers with Child Protective Services'  Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program. Every teen received a gift card from Partnership from Children, and alumni received gifts purchased by Accenture Consulting from wish lists they had submitted earlier.

The party was held at Austin's Park where the teens enjoyed rock climbing, video arcade, go-carts, miniature golf, bumper boats, and all the pizza they could eat. Meanwhile, volunteer photographer Terri St. Arnauld took holiday portraits of the teens.

PAL alumni Chadwick Sapenter donated a copy of "The Little Book of Words Every Foster Kid Should Know" to all the foster youth, and Amber Brabham from Partnership for Children spoke about services her organization offers to foster youth.

This event has been held in Region 7 for many years. This year, PAL supervisor Nida Brown had special praise for both her staff and the community partners who cooperated to plan and organize the most successful holiday party ever.

The Preparation for Adult Living program ensures that older youth in state care are better prepared for their inevitable departure from the department's care and support. PAL services help improve youths' self-esteem and their ability to make responsible decisions. PAL helps youth face the challenges of adulthood and independence.

The mission of Partnerships for Children is to cultivate resources and partnerships that directly benefit abused and neglected children in the Travis County area while providing support to CPS caseworkers. Their major programs are the Rainbow Room, Holiday Wishes, and the Special Request programs.

On April 17, 2010, Partnerships for Children will participate in the "Prom Princess & Prom Dude Project." This annual event helps high school junior and senior foster kids in prepare for their prom.  Like many agencies across the state, Partnerships for Children is collecting donated dresses for the ladies and arranging for them to speak with hair stylists and others to help make their special night one to remember. To find out if there is a drive for collecting prom dresses drive in your area, contact your local CPS Community Initiatives Specialist.