Road to Employment: Texas First Lady and Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Employers Collaborate to Help Transitioning Foster Youth
Texas Workforce Commission • March 3, 2020
Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott met with employers, community advocates and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) at a foster youth transition center in Austin, Texas today to bring awareness for the needs and support of foster youth. Every person counts, especially kids in foster care, which is why the TWC provides funding and support services to 18 Foster Youth Transition centers across the state of Texas. These transition centers help foster youth ages 15 and a half to 25 overcome obstacles to employment opportunities. TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson is touring each facility and has invited major employers to assist foster youth that are aging out of the system with employment career opportunities.
“For every child in our foster care system to live a life worthy of their promise, they need what I call a Network of Nurture—a community of families and friends, churches and congregations, business leaders and nonprofit organizations, and anyone willing to share of themselves,” said Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott. “For our youth in foster care nearing adulthood, they especially need our help in finding the right path to self-sufficiency and career success.”
According to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, in Fiscal Year 2018, 17,500 youth resided in foster care in Texas. Of that number, on average 900 children in Texas age out of the system each year. TWC has funded multiple transition centers since 2008 in an effort to provide a central clearinghouse of one-stop services to serve the diverse needs of older foster youth aging out of the system, youth experiencing homelessness, or other at-risk youth from ages 15 and a half to 25.
“Today is great example of the community and businesses working together to provide career opportunities for transitioning foster youth in Texas,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “I look forward to visiting with organizations, employers and workforce advocates at Foster Youth Transition centers throughout Texas to listen, learn and take action related to employment opportunities.
Transition centers are designed to serve as host locations for services such as Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) services, job readiness and job search assistance, career exploration, higher education enrollment assistance, food and housing assistance, and mentoring. Transition centers also provide colocation opportunities for local partners such as local Workforce Solutions staff, TWC-funded workforce advocates, and colleges and universities to help jointly serve the diverse needs of the youth in one location.
The 18 Transition centers are independently funded, operated, and supported by partnerships between DFPS, the DFPS providers, community partners and TWC. A list of TWC sponsored transition centers can be found at https://twc.texas.gov/foster-youth-transition-centers.
On Wednesday, November 5, Workforce Solutions East Texas hosted the region’s largest hiring event of the year at the Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview, as part of the Texas Workforce Commission’s 14th annual Hiring Red, White & You! statewide initiative. The event honored veterans with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m., followed by a job fair from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. open to the public. About 70 employers participated, offering opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and other job seekers. “East Texas is blessed to have so many vets to call our neighbors,” said Doug Shryock, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), Executive Director of Workforce Solutions East Texas. “Knowledge, skills, and abilities—hard-won across the country and around the world—make our communities stronger and more vibrant. Our employers need these valuable resources.” This year’s event was part of a statewide effort to support veterans in their transition to civilian careers. Since its launch in 2012, Hiring Red, White & You! has connected over 153,000 job seekers, including 52,000 veterans, with more than 26,000 employers across Texas. A representative from a participating employer, Stone Bridge Personnel Services, shared, " The Veteran Job Fair in Longview was a huge success! Sooo many people came out that we barely got a break the entire time! The best part was getting to know the personal stories of several decorated veterans and hearing their accomplishments and what they stand for. That's the spice of life right there. And we're about to fill heaps of new positions using all this new talent! Good times ahead." “ It’s important that we continue to serve those who served, and do so with priority, resources, and commitment,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Hiring Red, White & You! events make a difference in the lives of veterans across Texas.” Event Highlights: Total job seekers served:438 Employers represented: 69 Workforce Solutions East Texas and ETCOG thank all participants, employers, and partners who made this event a success. Together, we continue to build a stronger workforce and honor the contributions of our veterans.
Wednesday, November 5 | 10 AM - 1 PM | Maude Cobb Convention Center
SNAP Benefits are not handled by Workforce Solutions East Texas offices. Our staff members cannot assist with your inquiries regarding the Federal Government Shutdown's effect on your benefits. To aid in these concerns, we are sharing information below from Texas Health and Human Services . 2025 Federal Government Shutdown With the federal government shut down, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is monitoring how it may impact your benefits. Check this page for updates . SNAP SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27. WIC WIC benefits are not affected currently. TANF TANF benefits are not affected currently. Medicaid Medicaid is not affected currently. CHIP CHIP is not affected currently. Find answers about SNAP and other benefits in the Federal Government Shutdown FAQ (PDF) .
