88R7076 BK-D
By: Wu H.C.R. No. 37
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Every year, an estimated 20,000 young Texans are
placed in our state's foster care system, and the establishment of
an annual Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day will help ensure that
they receive the support they need to realize their full potential;
and
WHEREAS, Youth in the foster care system are required to
navigate considerable challenges, and of particular concern are
those young people who age out of the system; in Texas, nearly 40
percent of the individuals who exited foster care in 2020 left due
to aging out, rather than being adopted or reunified with family;
nationally, more than 23,000 youth age out of foster care each year,
and of that number, 20 percent become homeless, and only 3 percent
go on to earn a higher education degree; and
WHEREAS, Many young people find it difficult to transition
out of foster care because they lack an effective support system;
they can benefit greatly from services provided by state agencies,
including financial literacy education, access to vaccinations and
other medical care, and assistance with acquiring official
paperwork and identification documentation; moreover, guidance in
how to apply for student financial aid, Medicaid, and other
benefits can enable them to achieve stability and greater
independence; and
WHEREAS, Many foster youth are also underserved in regard to
their mental and emotional health; the experience of living in
foster care, as well as the abuse and neglect that they may have
experienced before being removed from their original homes, can
have a long-term impact, which is best addressed through
professional therapy and counseling; and
WHEREAS, Young people represent the future of our state, and
Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day celebrates those who are part of
our foster care system while raising awareness of the important
work that must be done to achieve better outcomes for these
deserving young Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate May 31 as Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in
effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is
finally passed by the legislature.