According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 50 percent of youth “aging out” of foster care become homeless within 18 months of leaving care.  This is a heartbreaking story that can have a very different ending.

On June 28, 2010, ACS opened the Therapeutic Living Center for Boys sponsored by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. For the first time in its 26-year history, the Austin Children's Shelter is offering long-term care and transitional living services to older teens and young adults who have returned to foster care. Traditionally providing only emergency short-term care, the opening of this cottage marks a significant expansion in programs by adding services specifically for youth “aging out” of foster care.

Most teenagers and young adults have family to teach them the skills they will need to move out on their own and succeed.  But youth in foster care do not have a family to help them make this transition.  And, these kids have experienced years of abuse and neglect.  The Austin Children’s Shelter is committed to making a lasting difference for this special population.  Our new long-term care program focuses on providing a structured environment, therapeutic services and skill building for older youth, ages 16 – 21 years old that will be leaving the foster care system.   

“We may be the last hope these kids have to leave the system equipped to create a better life for themselves,” says Armin Steege, V.P. of Residential Programs with the Austin Children’s Shelter.  “Most young adults have parents to teach them the skills needed to live and offer support to help them transition to adulthood but these individuals have no one.  As such, this program is one of the most crucial services we offer.”

Youth involved in the transitional living services program will learn essential skills in personal finance, employment, self care and basic life skills.  They will be provided with medical care, education support and learning to managing interpersonal relationships such as conflict management and developing healthy relationships.  All youth in this program will either be enrolled in school, vocational training or working.

In the Austin area, there is a long-standing need for long-term care for boys.  Recent substantial support in the form of two grants provided ACS the ability to meet this need.  In addition to supporting the Capital Campaign, the Michael & Susan Dell foundation granted the Shelter $225,000 specifically to hire and train qualified staff.  The Meadows Foundation recently awarded ACS a $100,000 grant to support implementation of the program.  We are grateful to these foundations for their commitment to our kids.

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