About Us
At BCFS Health and Human Services-Tyler, our mission is to help at-risk young adults and foster youth transition into independent adulthood and self-sufficiency, using a holistic service approach, and provide a safe place to access community resources.
Services provided to at-risk youth:
Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Scholarship Program
- Youth who are eligible to receive benefits from the ETV program can get help navigating the ETV process including applications and documents at the Tyler Transition Center.
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Advocacy
- Assists youth with developing healthy employment skills to obtain and maintain gainful employment.
- Serves ages 16 to 24 foster or aged out-foster youth
- For more information, contact TWC Advocate Lucretia Dixon
Preparation for Adult Living
PAL Lifeskills Training:
Provides in-care youth between ages 16 and 18 with independent living skills to maintain independence once they have exited care. The interactive course is designed to simulate a real-world setting and includes 6 learning modules that total 30 hours. PAL Lifeskills classes are structured based on Texas DFPS referral. All programs are open to youth residing in Region 4.
PAL Transition and Financial Support Services:
Provides youth between 17 and 21 access to transitional and financial benefits available to them as determined by their aging out status with Texas DFPS. Also helps youth receiving ETV benefits navigate the ETV process. Determination of eligibility for transitional and financial support is set forth and structured by guidelines and policy of Texas DFPS.
Youth Activities
- Monthly Activities: Resources from the community are brought in to educate young adults on services that are available to them
- Annual Independence Day Conference: Annual event held for at-risk youth, youth in and out of foster care, foster parents, caretakers, and caseworkers that focuses on bringing information and awareness to everyone about changes in benefits, resources in the community and in legislation.
- High School Graduation Party: Dinner held in honor of our graduating high school seniors.
- Parenting Classes: Classes for at-risk and former foster youth who are expecting or already have children. Held once a month at the transition center.
