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.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) today announced the launch of a new online resource for Texas employers. The Child Care Resources for Employers webpage is designed to help employers better support their employees’ child care needs. “We are empowering Texas employers with the tools they need to support working families, which is a critical component of our state’s economy,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “This resource is a strategic investment in our workforce that helps businesses retain talent and ensures Texas remains the best state to live, work, and raise a family.” The new webpage was created in response to Senate Bill 1265, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature. It offers clear information on several topics including child care assistance programs, available state and federal tax credits, and dependent care savings accounts. The webpage also shares best practices and policies that businesses can adopt to help their employees access reliable child care. Studies show that supporting child care needs can improve employee morale, reduce absences, and increase productivity. The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) was a key partner in passing the legislation and developing the webpage. Their advocacy highlighted the need for these resources across all industries. “We hear consistently from local business operators that they want to help their employees access child care, but they don’t know where to start,” said TRA Chief Public Affairs Officer and Co-Founder of Employers for Childcare (E4C) Kelsey Erickson Streufert. “We are grateful for the TWC’s partnership creating the new Child Care Resources for Employers webpage, and we look forward to building on this momentum to expand working families’ access to affordable, quality childcare.” This new resource makes it easier for Texas employers to offer benefits that help attract and retain their workforce. The webpage provides guidance on how employers can survey their staff to understand their specific child care challenges. This helps businesses offer the most effective and impactful support. The Child Care Resources for Employers page can be found within the Texas Work & Family Policies section of the TWC website. Employers are encouraged to visit the webpage to learn more.
When Tahyua Crowder arrived in Tyler, she was searching for more than a job. She was searching for stability, hope, and a fresh start. After leaving a domestic violence situation, she found herself rebuilding her life in a new city, uncertain of what the future would hold. But one thing she did know was where to turn for support. Having worked with Workforce Solutions programs from across the state of Texas since the age of 15, Tahyua understood the value of having a team that believed in her potential. “Every time I was in a bind, I knew I needed to go back to Workforce Solutions to tighten up,” she shared. “I was always able to go to Workforce.” Although Tahyua was in a new place with new people, she knew there was a Workforce Solutions office somewhere close. Eventually, she arrived at a Workforce Solutions East Texas office for assistance where she was able to access services through the CHOICES program for TANF recipients. From the beginning, Tahyua stood out. She approached every step of the program with determination and professionalism, completing her job search logs correctly from day one. Her secret was simple but powerful: organization and discipline. “Take notes. Write everything down. Don’t rely on memory,” she advised. “Set personal deadlines before the actual due date.” As she participated in the Keys to Success class, a webinar series designed to support and develop job readiness skills, Tahyua found encouragement not only from staff, but also from her peers. Listening to others share their experiences helped her reflect on her own growth and motivated her to keep moving forward. She described the Workforce Solutions team as “very loving, very caring, and warm,” adding that throughout her journey, staff ensured she had access to every available resource, from transportation assistance and gas cards to guidance in making career choices. What impacted Tahyua the most was the unwavering support and dignity she received during one of the hardest seasons of her life. “I was so lost when I moved here,” she said. “Everyone was very encouraging. They were adamant that I get up and understood that I had the power to change my life.” That encouragement and support eventually paid off. After completing program services and participating in mock interviews through WIOA, Tahyua impressed staff with her confidence and professionalism. Her success during those interviews opened new opportunities and strengthened her confidence in what she was capable of achieving. Tahyua was eventually offered a job on the CHOICES team. Her CHOICES Career Navigator, Jessica Vinson, remembers the moment well, stating that she just knew that Tahyua “would be a great addition to our already great CHOICES team!” Tahyua proudly served as a coworker alongside the very team that once supported her through crisis and transition. “Mount Everest had nothing on me,” she said when describing the transition from participant to employee. Unfortunately, restructuring happened in the program which caused Tahyua to begin job searching again. Although sad to leave her new team, she refused to let this event bring her down. So, Tahyua came through the doors of Workforce Solutions East Texas as a client once more. Not long after beginning job search, Tahyua found an exciting new career opportunity that was the perfect fit for her. Tahyua began working at LHH as an Insurance Agency Specialty. Tahyua shared that her recruiter at the company said that the interviewing team had “nothing but to say but amazing things” about her interview and they were thoroughly impressed. Tahyua is now confident and thriving in her new role with a great salary. “I felt accomplished,” she said. “This has been such an uphill battle. I was nervous and afraid I was going to lose everything. When I got that offer, I said I knew I could do this.” Today, Tahyua continues building a future she once feared was out of reach. She says her experience taught her that perseverance truly pays off, and that success comes from learning to bloom where you are planted. Now, Tahyua has even higher ambitions. “I want to go higher. Make management. Be over my own team and be in a position where I can treat others with the dignity and respect that I was given from my team at Workforce.” Throughout her journey, Tahyua remained grateful to her Career Navigator and dedicated team at Workforce Solutions East Texas that supported her through her journey. To others beginning their own journey, Tahyua offers this advice: “Blow your ceiling. Don’t have limits. Erase everything you’ve been through and what you’re coming from.” Her hope is that others facing difficult circumstances will see her story and realize that success is possible no matter where they begin. “I hope someone will see my story and understand that the distance from the bottom to the top is not as far as it seems.” Her journey, from participant to staff member to her new role as an Insurance Agency Specialty worker, represents perseverance, resilience, the power of a dedicated support network, and the importance of believing in yourself even during life’s hardest moments.
CCS Business Industry Support staff Tonia and Aerial recently facilitated a successful Directors Connect session in Athens, titled “Let’s Get Motivated.” This professional development training focused on empowering early childhood leaders with effective strategies to build motivated, engaged, and committed teams. Throughout the session, participants explored practical approaches to boosting staff morale, strengthening workplace relationships, and reducing employee turnover. The training highlighted how motivation, recognition, communication, and strong leadership practices directly influence staff performance and long-term retention. Directors also examined both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, gained insight into effective feedback practices, and engaged in reflective activities designed to support professional growth within their programs. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Directors particularly appreciated learning new and creative ways to celebrate and recognize their staff. Many also valued the training’s encouragement-focused approach, noting that it provided them with practical, actionable strategies to uplift and support their teams. This session reinforced the important role early childhood leaders play in fostering positive workplace cultures where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered—an essential foundation for strong, thriving programs.
