TRAC--touching, healing, providing hope to young adults!

One of CitySquare's "signature" initiatives involves our work at the Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC).  This one-stop shop of services, training and opportunity focuses all its attention on youth who "age out" of the custodial care system (otherwise known as the foster care system) in the state of Texas.  What follows is a report on this important part of our work in the city and region. 

TRAC works with these special youth in the 19-county, CPS Northeast Texas region that includes Montague, Wise, Denton, Collin, Tarrant, Dallas, Rockwall, Kaufman, and Navarro counties.
Facts about this population:

25% experience Homelessness before age 22

Within 12-18 months of leaving care. . .
-33% will be on some form of public assistance
-40% will not have completed high school
-50% will be unemployed

Within 18 months of leaving care. . . 
-60% of young ladies will have a child outside of marriage
-70% of youth leaving foster care report a desire to attend college
-Less than 3% actually obtain a college degree

In Texas, the average youth emancipating from CPS. . .
-Was removed from their family at age 11-15
-Had 8 placements
- Had 5 CPS workers
-Spent 5 years in care

TRAC helps young adults by providing             
             Preparation for “Adult Living” Classes
             Money Management
             “Ready to Rent”
             College Visits
             Employment Soft Skills
             Workforce Services
             Skill building
             Assessment
             Resume help
             Education advocacy
             Job referral & coaching
             Job skills training
             Job placement with partner businesses
             Housing Services and Homeless Prevention
             Emergency Assistance
             Emergency Shelter
             Transitional Housing
             Permanent Supportive Housing

Major funding sources for TRAC

• Texas Child Protective Services

• Texas Workforce Commission

• HUD

• United Way, Foundations, and Individuals

For more insight and information click here!  And take a moment to watch the video that follows.

Youth "aging out" of foster care

CitySquare works with youth who age out of the foster care system here in North Texas.  As a matter of fact, we engage young people from the 19-county, northeast Texas Child Protective Services region.  In Dallas County, approximately 150 of these special youth age out each year.  Our Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC) provides services to about 900 youth annually.  TRAC's headquarters are housed in a full-service, one-stop shop located on Live Oak in a building provided to us by the Meadows Foundation, our great partners in this special work. We also operate an office in Tarrant County in Fort Worth. 

The population presents us with real challenges.  The average young person we serve has experienced 9 foster care placements before turning 18.  Think about about that reality for a moment. 

Evy Kay Washburne, TRAC Director, provided the following results of a resent data evaluation of the young people who walk through our doors seeking help and hope.

In general. . .

• 30.4% have a history of truancy
• 30.8% have been in special education/resource classes while in school
• 26.2 have been incarcerated or adjudicated
• 59.9% have been diagnosed with  mental illness
• 17.5% have developmental disabilities

More specifically. . .

• 10.5% arrive pregnant
• 17.4% have children
• 40.4% have tested for HIV/STI
• 58.7% have been physically abused
• 35.4% have been sexually abused
• 68.3 have been verbally/emotionally abused
• 85.2% have been neglected
• 67.3% have been on psychotropic medications
• 21.6% are currently on psychotropic medications
• 9.% have seriously injured another person
• 15.4% have tried to hurt themselves or commit suicide
• 12.3% homeless at program entry
• 22.4% were housed temporarily, in substandard or eviction pending at program entry
• 47.8% have experienced homelessness
• 69.5% unemployed at program entry
• 21.3% temporary, part time or seasonal employment at program entry

Regarding income. . .

• 77.5% gross monthly income $0-$500
• 21% gross monthly income $501-$1,000
• 1.5% gross monthly income $1,001-$1,500

Regarding education. . .

• 53.9% HS diploma or GED at program entry
• 8.9% last grade completed 12th
• 25.4% last grade completed 11th

Kids who "age out"

Central Dallas Ministries works with youth who "age out" of Texas foster care programs at age 18. We refer to our program as TRAC--Transition Resource Action Center. Led by program director, Evy Kay Ritzen, our TRAC team staffs a one-stop shop for these special young people. Over 40% of the youth who age out deal with all sorts of problems such as housing, no high school diploma, employment, mental health issues to name a few. Our staff serves the 19-county CPS region and we staff a smaller office in Fort Worth.

Recently, CNN aired a report on a similar program working in California. It reminded me of TRAC and I thought I should pass it along. Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

Working with youth who "age out" of foster care

Central Dallas Ministries operates the Transition Resource Action Center that serves as a virtual one-stop shop for youth who at 18-years-old "age out" of the state's foster care programs.  The youth with whom we work present a host of needs, including completion of high school, planning for college and/or employment, housing, health care, and new connections to supportive communities. 

Recently, Evy Kay Ritzen, our program director for TRAC, sent the following announcement to her team about an important project that is now underway.  Thought readers here would be interested.  Helping our team gather needed household items would be a great project for a company, an office group, a Sunday School Class/church or a civic/service organization.


Help us celebrate another kind of INDEPENDENCE!

Join TRAC in celebrating the transition from care to independent living for North Texas foster youth. TRAC would like to honor all of the youth who have left or are leaving care since January. TRAC needs to connect with these young adults and knows that these young men and women have many needs to equip their new living space as they move into their new living arrangements. We need your help to get them connected and their WISH LISTS to TRAC in the next few weeks.

TRAC is working with volunteers and community organizations to collect items on the WISH LISTS and will host several Independence Days in late July and early August to distribute the household items and school supplies. We even have matress sets from Sleep Experts!!

In order to get this process moving, TRAC needs to identify all youth who are leaving care or have left care between January-September 2010. Attached to this e-mail, you will see our “Independence Day Wish List.” Please use this form to refer emancipating youth to TRAC. Discuss the list with any youth who meet this critera and get the WISH LIST back to TRAC as soon as you can. To plan adequately, we ask they we get them back by Monday, July 13th. You can email them to Amanda Vining

(amandav@traconline.org) , TRAC’s summer Exxon Mobile intern who will be coordinating Independence Day, or fax the completed form to TRAC (214-370-9305).

TRAC Staff will then be in touch with the youth and coordinate the Independence Day date and location that is the best fit for each youth.

Thank you for contributing to the success of our youth!

Here is the list of suggested items for donation:

Cleaning/Laundry Supplies:
Roller Mop
Broom with Dustpan
Bathroom cleaner
Pledge
Glass Cleaner
Dishwashing Liquid
Trash Can
Garbage Bags
Laundry Basket
Laundry Detergent
Dryer Sheets
Paper towels

Dining
Silverware
Plates
Bowls
Drinking Glasses

Kitchen Items
Skillet
Sauce Pan
Baking Sheet
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowl
Can opener
Measuring Cups
Kitchen Utensils
Sharp Knife
Dish Towel
Hot Pad
Aluminum Foil
Cling Wrap
Ziploc Bags

Bedding
Sheet Set
Mattress Pad
Blanket
Comforter
Pillow
Twin Mattress Set

Bathroom Supplies
Towel
Hand Towel
Washcloths
Shower Curtain Liner
Shower Curtain Rings
Bath Rug
Toilet Paper
Shower Caddy

Miscellaneous
Clock Radio
Bible
Tool Kit
First Aid Kit
Sewing Kit
Iron
Ironing Board
Hangers

Occasionally TRAC receives additional donations that could be of value to our young people moving into their first apartment. Please make note of additional items that could be a blessing to our youth at this time in their transition:
Dresser
Couch
Dining Table and Chairs
Microwave
Coffee Machine

To participate in this move toward independence call us at 214 370-9300. Or, call us toll free at 866-466-8722.