Preparation for
Adult Living (PAL) Program
PAL Statewide Staff
Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
For more information on the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program:
Gaye
Vopat
DFPS
PO Box 149030, MC W-157
Austin, Texas 78714-9030
Mission
The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program was implemented
in 1986 to ensure that older youth in substitute care are prepared
for their inevitable departure from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services’ care and support. At any given time,
there are about 3,500 youth 16 years of age and older in substitute
care. PAL program staff strive to provide each of these youth with
skills and resources they will need to be healthy, productive adults.
Preparing youth for adulthood is much more than teaching them
how to balance a checkbook and sign a lease. PAL services include
involvement in programs aimed at improving youths' self-esteem and
improving their ability to make responsible decisions. PAL helps
youth face the challenges of adulthood and independence.
Target Population
PAL policy requires that youth 16 and older who are in substitute
care receive services to prepare them for adult living. With funding
availability, regions may serve any youth 14 or older on whom Child
Protective Services has an open case.
There is no typical case for which PAL services are provided.
Length of time in care ranges from one month to almost 14 years,
with two to three years being the average. Many of the youth have
endured emotional and psychological trauma, and most have few options
for living arrangements once they are discharged from care. PAL,
in collaboration with public and private organizations, assists
youth in identifying and developing support systems and housing
for when they leave care. PAL gives these youths skills and training,
but most of all, PAL helps them realize that there are options.
Services
Independent Living Skills Assessment
PAL policy requires that staff or contractors conduct
an initial assessment of each PAL participant’s general readiness
to live independently around the youth’s 16th birthday. The
results are used to develop specific plans and training to prepare
each youth for adult living. A post-assessment is conducted between
the youths 17th birthday and two months after discharge from substitute
care. Begining in September 2002, Texas is using the Ansell-Casey
Life Skills Assessment.
Helpful Web Site
 http://www.caseylifeskills.org 
Independent Living Skills Training
A foundation of the PAL program is the provision of training
to assist youth in developing skills necessary to function as an
adult. Some regions have staff who provide this training but most
contract with individuals and private organizations to provide the
training. In all cases, training must cover the following areas:
- Personal and Interpersonal Skills
- Job Skills
- Housing and Transportation
- Health
- Planning for the Future
- Money Management
Support Services
Support services are optional services provided based
on need and availability of funding. Listed are examples of some
support services provided as funding allows:
- Vocational Assessment and/or Training
- GED Classes
- Preparation for College Entrance Exams
- Driver Education
- High School Graduation Expenses (if not available from another
source)
- Counseling
- Volunteer Mentoring to Provide Guidance and Support
Benefits/Financial Assistance
(Certain guidelines must be
met to receive benefits)
- Youths who fully participate in the PAL program are eligible
to receive a transitional living allowance once they leave care.
The allowance may not exceed $1,000, and it may be distributed
in increments not to exceed $500 per month.
- Young adults who are between 18 and 21 years old and have aged
out of the foster care system at age 18 or older are eligible
for aftercare room and board assistance. Financial assistance
up to $500 per month may be used for rent, rent deposit, utilities,
and food/groceries. There is a lifetime cap of $3,000 of accumulated
payments per client.
Case management is provided by community contractors or PAL staff
while young adults receive financial assistance. Efforts are made
to partner with local housing authorities, workforce development
boards, and other community resources to ensure that youth in need
receive services to help them achieve successful outcomes.
Resource for Youth Leaving Care
The Texas Youth Hotline is a resource for youths who are under 21 years of age, including those who have aged out of the foster care system. Youth may contact the statewide hotline at 1-800-210-2278 for telephone counseling and information and referrals. The hotline can help young adults locate services available in their communities.
Tuition and Fee Waiver
Youths who are in DFPS substitute care on or after their 18th birthday, or who obtain their high school diploma or its equivalent while they are in foster or other residential care, may attend state supported vocational schools, colleges, and universities with tuition and fees waived. Youths who are adopted from foster care or who are eligible for adoption at age 14 or older may also be eligible for the waiver. This legislation was enacted in 1993, with revisions made in 1997.
- FAQ about College Tuition and Fee Exemption
- In Sept. 2003, a new provision of Texas State Law, Section 54.2111 of the Texas Education Code was added.
- The tuition and fee waiver program includes any person who was adopted and the subject of a written adoption assistance agreement.
College Partnerships
Texas A&M University at Commerce offers an unlimited number of $1,000/year scholarships for residential housing, and staff or faculty mentors for youth. The University of Texas at Arlington provides a 50 percent discount on residential housing. The University of Texas at Pan American provides up to six residential housing scholarships per year. Southwest Texas State University and Western Texas College provide general scholarships. Texas A&M University at College Station is providing a supportive staff person to assist PAL students at the university.
Other Activities
PEAKS Camps
Two five-day experiential camps are held each year. The
camps accommodate 40 youths each. The youth are accompanied by an
adult, preferably their caseworker. Activities include ropes course
activities, canoeing, expressive arts, swimming, nature hikes, skits,
journal writing, etc. The camps are aimed at increasing self-esteem,
improving communication and problem-solving skills, and having fun.
Statewide Teen Conference
Each year the Statewide Teen Conference is held on a college campus.
Approximately 175 youths attend a three-day conference with workshops
related to preparing for adulthood. The youths are accompanied by
staff, preferably their caseworker.
College Weekend
Texas A&M University at Commerce holds a college weekend
each spring. Approximately 70 youths who plan to attend college
participate in two days of workshops related to attending college.
Youths are offered individualized assistance filling out financial
aid applications, etc.
Statewide Youth Leadership Committee (Youth Advisory
Board)
The Statewide Youth Leadership Committee consists of one youth from
each region. The committee addresses issues and formulates recommendations
for improving services to children and youths in foster care. The
group also reviews relevant policy as it is being developed.
Regional Activities
Several regions have regional Teen Conferences. If regional
funding is available, other regional activities may include: wilderness
trips, mentor programs, support groups, job development workshops,
youth forums, etc.
Reference Sheet
- Benefits for Youth Transitioning from Foster Care to Adult Living
This assistance is coordinated through the Preparation for
Adult Living (PAL) Program of Child Protective Services.
1) Transitional Living Allowance (up to $1,000 to be distributed
in increments not to exceed $500 per month)
- Must have been in DFPS paid foster or other residential care
within the 24 months prior to initiating the allowance;
- Must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien;
- Must have completed at least 5 hours of training in each of
5 of the 6 PAL life skills core elements (Any substitution of
training hours or variance must be approved by the regional PAL
supervisor);
- Must be moving or have moved into an independent
living arrangement, or a supervised or semi-supervised setting;
- Must not be living with a designated perpetrator while receiving
assistance;
- Must be employed, be actively seeking employment (for those
youth who are able to work), be enrolled and attending school
or college, or be receiving prevocational or vocational training
services; and
- Must provide all information required by regional CPS staff.
Note: All payments must be made by the young adult's 21st
birthday.
Participation in PAL training or services, while strongly
encouraged, is not required for the following three benefits:
2) Aftercare Room and Board Assistance (based on need, up to $500
per month with a total cap of $3,000 of accumulated payments per
young adult; variances may be considered in emergency or special
circumstances.)
- Must be between 18 and 21 years of age;
- Must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien;
- Must have aged out of foster care at age 18 or older (DFPS conservatorship
and control must have been maintained until age 18);
- Must be in an educational program, be employed or actively
seeking employment (for those who are able to work), or be receiving
prevocational or vocational training services; and
- Must prove financial need.
Note: Some time-limited exceptions may be made in special
medical or emergency situations.
3) Tuition and Fee Waiver (for Higher Education)
(a provision of Texas State Law, Section 54.211 of the Texas
Education Code. While U.S. citizenship or qualified alien status
is not required, it is strongly encouraged as young adults without
such status will have difficulty obtaining any federal financial
assistance at college.)
To be exempt from the payment of tuition and fees at a Texas state
supported institution of higher education, the youth must:
1. Have been in DFPS conservatorship in foster or other residential
care on or after:
- the day preceding the 18th birthday;
- the day the youth graduated from high school or received the
equivalent of a high school diploma; or
- the day of the youth's 14th birthday, if the youth was
eligible for adoption (parental rights being terminated) on or
after that day; and
2. Enroll as an undergraduate by his or her 21st birthday or not
later than whichever of the following dates occurs first;
- three years after the date the youth was discharged from foster
or other residential care, or
- three years after the date of high school graduation or completion
of an equivalency of a high school diploma (GED).
Note: Youths who meet requirements and are adopted at age
14 and older are eligible.
(In Sept. 2003, a new provision of Texas State Law, Section 54.2111 of the Texas Education Code was added.)
The tuition and fee waiver program includes any person who was adopted and the subject of a written adoption assistance agreement.
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