Resource Letter:
For Judges and Attorneys Handling Child Welfare Cases
August 8, 2022
Extra Pandemic Funds Available until August 31, 2022
for Current and Aged Out Foster Youth
The Texas Foster Youth Justice Project (TFYJP) has published information about the availability of extra pandemic funds available for current and aged out foster youth. The funds are only available until August 31, 2022. Please see the full announcement from TFYJP below.
The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has funds available for current and aged out foster youth to use to purchase cars.

While funds remain, PAL can pay up to $5,500 of federal Pandemic Assistance funds toward the purchase of a car by current or aged out Texas foster youth and young adults ages 17-20. See the Money to Buy Car handout for more information, including what is needed to qualify. This handout was created by the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project based on information provided by the PAL program. NOTE: THE DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31, 2022. The Texas Foster Youth Justice Project very recently first learned about the availability of the money.

In addition to the funds available for purchasing a car, federal Pandemic Assistance funds are still available to current and aged out Texas foster youth and young adults ages 14-20 through August 31, 2022 for a wide range of needs. See the Extra PAL Assistance handout for more information. The Texas Foster Youth Justice Project prepared the handout for youth and young adults to highlight the availability of the funds and the importance of asking their Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) or Aftercare Worker for help with financial needs.

Information about both sets of funds is also available at texasfosteryouth.org/covid-19-resources/.

DFPS received millions of dollars of extra pandemic relief funds to assist current and aged foster youth through August 31, 2022. These funds came from the Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic law, Division X of the of the mammoth Consolidated Appropriations Act FY 2021. The agency reserved a portion of these funds for Fiscal Year 2022. These funds provide a remarkable opportunity to provide meaningful financial assistance to vulnerable young adults. Please let current and aged out foster youth know about these funds and encourage them to apply immediately because of the impending deadline.

For more general information about the funds, you can contact the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project at 877-313-3688 or info@TexasFosterYouth.org. Youth and young adults applying for funds need to contact their PAL worker. They can find their PAL worker at bit.ly/31lsD4k or call the PAL State Office at 512-460-7394.

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For a complete list of Resource Letters, please visit the Children's Commission webpage. Information provided by the Children’s Commission should not be read as a commentary by the Supreme Court of Texas or any other court. The Children’s Commission website is not equipped to facilitate dialogue or conversation about matters related to the information in this communique. For more information about the Children’s Commission, please visit our website.
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