Foster Care Programs

TWC and Foster Youth Transition Centers are working hard to ensure the health and safety of our community and participants, and many Centers are closed temporarily. However, they are still delivering services virtually in a manner that complies with local, state, and federal requirements and keeps their staff and communities safe. Please contact your local Transition Center for information regarding service availability.  Contact information is provided in the map below and on the Foster Youth Transition Centers page.

Success Stories from the BCFS Health and Human Services Network

BCFS Abilene: Angel

Angel Carbajal as an outstanding TWC client. Angel has completed her associate degree at Ranger College and is now attending, virtually, Tarleton State University full-time. She is an education major; plans to teach elementary aged children. She works at a daycare facility and assists her mother with younger siblings. She has remained dedicated and motivated regardless of the obstacle. She communicates well; is independent, self-sufficient yet not afraid to ask for help when/if needed. We are proud of her determination!

BCFS Corpus Christi: Austin

Austin enrolled in TWC and was very determined to fulfill his goal of joining the armed services. He was able to find a job and TWC assisted him with interview help and work clothes once he was employed. Staff later found out he was walking around 5 miles (roundtrip) to work as he was determined to make it to work and would walk no matter the weather and even late at night as public transportation was not always available when he closed at night and did not get out of work until after 1 am. PAL and TWC staff worked together to assist him with meeting an army recruiter and getting all necessary documents required. In January 2021, Austin enlisted and left for basic training. He was very excited to be able to accomplish his goal and thanked all BCFS HHS staff for helping him reach his goal. Slade has the mindset to keep busy, always finding employment. He started off working at a pool company called HOA Pools, Raising Cane’s, Walmart, and currently works in security. He worked at ten different companies within the past three years. He is always hopeful, resilient, and determined not to let his past trip him up.

BCFS Harlingen: Marilyn

Marilyn is a youth that has been in foster care most of her life. She re-enrolled with the TWC Program and became an active participant with both TWC and PAL programs. When she enrolled, she was a sophomore in high school and was vocal about attending college. Marilyn completed her goal of graduating from high school in June of 2020 and went on to live on her own sustaining herself working various jobs. She enrolled at South Texas Community College, her freshman year, and is now in the SIL (Supported Independent Living Program) sharing an apartment with three (3) other former foster girls. Continuing her dream of working with foster youth, Marilyn was hired to work at the Valley Haven Emergency Children's Shelter as a part of their direct care staff. She is excited to start working there and we are very proud that she has continued to focus on realizing her dream career.

BCFS Kerville: Javier & Alexis

Javier, a 23-year-old male, has successfully obtained his certification as a Certified Nurse Aid, he is gaining hands-on experience through his job at Fredericksburg Nursing and rehabilitation center. BCFS HHS has connected him with Mrs. Monica Lambert from WIOA youth services and he has received mock interview sessions, Dress for Success, and job placement services.

Alexis, a 17-year-old female, who is graduating from Bandera High School this upcoming May. Her dream was to attend Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and she has been accepted and will be attending this fall 2021. she will be studying to become a NICU Nurse. Alexis has been connected to Texas A&M–Corpus Christy Liaison who along with TWC Advocate have been providing her with support. BCFS-TWC Advocate has provided her with the basic items to move into her dorm.

BCFS McAllen: Elvia & Ruby

Elvia de la Cruz is a 21-year-old female who has been able to hold down a part-time job and attend UTRGV for the past year. She has been able to persevere despite the limitations she has encountered due to COVID. Ms. De la Cruz had to adjust to a huge learning curve when it came to her classes. She disclosed she struggled with online classes but was able to catch on and learn a new way of learning. She also had to adjust to a new set of rules at work. Learning to use personal protection equipment (PPE) was a new way of life and remembering to wear face masks, use hand sanitizer and/or thoroughly washing her hands as well as sanitizing work areas became the new normal. In spite of these circumstances, she overcame them and is doing well. Ms. De la Cruz is also a member of the Foster Youth Panel and has been able to provide important information about how Advocates and Case Managers can better serve foster youth who enroll in the TWC Program.

Ruby Torres is a 20-year-old female who was struggling to find work, she was trying to get her high school diploma, and she needed help trying to decide what she wanted to do with her life. Advocate was able to assist Youth by having her set important appointments to help her with her mental health and an appointment to take her driving test. She was not used to doing things on her own and needed guidance. Advocate was able to provide Youth with job leads and she eventually found a job. Youth was able to complete the required assignments to get her high school diploma but needed to redo three lessons.

BCFS San Antonio: “TWC Youth”

A 24-year-old female who wishes to remain anonymous, “TWC Youth” continues to be successful both in her work and school life. She is very involved in all PAL and TWC events. She is a powerful speaker and advocate for all current and former foster youth. She attends all workshops held by PAL and TWC and encourages other youth to attend. She also speaks highly about the virtual art workshops each month and has said it has been a wonderful way to release stress and gives everyone an opportunity to talk about current issues and how it affects them.

BCFS Tyler: Sam

Sam is a youth that enrolled in our program during the 1st quarter. He has a high school diploma and was needing to find a job. His cell phone had recently been disconnected and TWC was able to assist with keeping his phone connected so he would have a way to communicate with the TWC Advocate and to ensure he received job interview calls. The TWC Advocate also assisted him with filling out paperwork to get benefits for food and medical assistance. The Advocate provided several job-leads and Sam applied to every lead given to him. He was able to gain employment at a fast-food restaurant. He just reached his 3-month work anniversary this month and is excited to be working and gaining more responsibility. Sam is ready to get more responsibilities and wants to continue to work at his job so he can be self-sufficient. Sam knows that he can reach out to the TWC Advocate if there is anything he needs and appreciates the TWC Advocate’s assistance.

• WD 43-11 Change 2, Priority of Service for Eligible Foster Youth
• WD 38-11 Change 1, MOU with DFPS to Serve Foster Youth
• WD 31-04 Coordination of Services to Foster Youth
• TAB 274 Coordination of Services to Foster Youth
• Foster Youth Services Guide

The Foster Care Resource Map provides locations of Texas’ Foster Youth Transition Centers, Workforce Development Board areas and offices, and Workforce Solutions Offices. All icons include an information hover that will open when clicked on, displaying Center or Office contact information and links to related resources. Click the “I” at the map’s top right corner to display a legend and other relevant information at the map’s bottom. Users may also navigate the map or zoom in/out on any given region using a mouse.

• List of Foster Youth Transition Center Contact Information
• Employers Who Hire Foster Youth by Region