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Supporting the educational success of students in foster care begins with access to the right tools and information. Whether you're an educator, caseworker, caregiver, or advocate, there are many resources available to help you better understand the unique needs of these students and how to support them effectively. This section offers a curated collection of guidance documents, best practices, and helpful tools to get you started and deepen your impact. Return to the main Foster Care webpage at any time.
Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Texas Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide

This guide is the result of a collaborative effort between the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children's Commission). Designed as both an e-guide and training manual, it covers a wide range of research-based topics and highlights critical issues related to the education of students in foster care. The guide promotes best practices and offers practical tips, tools, and resources-along with direct links to additional information-to support those working with this student population.

For expanded content and access, visit the Foster Care and Student Success Guide Webpage.

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Supporting the educational success of students in foster care begins with access to the right tools and information. Whether you're an educator, caseworker, caregiver, or advocate, there are many resources available to help you better understand the unique needs of these students and how to support them effectively.

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2-1-1 Texas | 2-1-1 Texas - Connecting People and Services

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2-1-1 Texas | Texas Health And Human Services Commission

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Find Help A search term is required to find resources for food, health, housing, and more Enter Search Term enter search term 211 Administrative Entities 211 Lead Agencies 311 Services 3D Printing 911 Services AARP Tax Aide Program Sites Abandoned Building Inspection Abandoned Shopping Cart Removal Abandoned Vehicle Reporting/Removal Abortion Services Absentee Ballots Abused

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All Texas public schools, charter schools, and education services centers, collectively known as local education agencies (LEAs), must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students. These requirements are detailed in the McKinney-Vento Act.

ARP Homeless II Federal Grant

Webinar

TEA hosted a webinar to provide information on ARP Homeless II for prospective grantees. During this webinar, the TEA Grants Department provided an overview of the eGrant application and how to apply. Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program (TEHCY) Program staff reviewed the requirements for receiving funds, the timeline for submitting your application, and the allowable expenditures for grantees.

McKinney-Vento Liaisons

Every Local Education Agency (LEA) must designate an appropriate staff person as a local homeless education/McKinney-Vento Liaison and submit that person's name to TEA. This information is to be submitted to the AskTED online directory by the LEA's AskTED administrator. AskTED is TEA's online Texas Education Directory (TED). AskTED is the database where the homeless education liaison's contact information is maintained.

The information in the TEHCY website directory is updated periodically from the AskTED directory. LEAs are no longer required to input this information directly to the TEHCY directory.

To learn how to use AskTED to access McKinney-Vento Liaison contact information directly, download the PDF instructions.

Trainings and Resources

McKinney-Vento 101

McKinney-Vento 201

Webinar - December 12, 2022

Homeless Student Identification Data

Every LEA must identify students experiencing homelessness within their district. This process must be done regularly and in a way that is auditable. In Texas, most districts choose to use a student residency questionnaire to help determine whether or not students qualify as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act.

The Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program Infographics summarize identification and graduation data for students experiencing homelessness enrolled in Texas public schools for all school years beginning in 2017.

McKinney-Vento Posters

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released new McKinney-Vento Posters. There are two versions of the poster, one to assist parents of school-age youth and a second to assist unaccompanied youth. The posters are available in both English and Spanish.

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) can download the digital files below and post this information on their LEA homeless education program webpage.

LEAs should collaborate with their school staff and community partners (e.g. food pantries, faith-based organizations, local housing authorities, shelters, etc.) to share printed copies of this poster.

Homeless Student Enrollment

Students who are experiencing homelessness are to be enrolled immediately. Districts cannot require students experiencing homelessness to provide proof of residency, immunizations, birth certificates guardianship documents, or any other sort of required paperwork before enrolling. Requiring missing paperwork or any other delay to enrollment is a violation of the McKinney-Vento Act.

Homeless Student School Determination

Students who are experiencing homelessness have the right to attend school in their school of origin or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing. School of origin is defined as the school in which the child/youth was enrolled when they became homeless or the school in which the child/youth was last enrolled. The campus a child attends is determined by which campus can serve the best interests of the child. In Texas, a student experiencing homelessness may enroll in any district they choose, regardless of the location of their residence, school of origin, or attendance zone campus.

Dispute Resolution

Disagreements over school enrollment and best interest determinations must be resolved through the dispute resolution process. While in the dispute resolution process the child is entitled to attend the campus in question until the matter is resolved.

Transportation

Students experiencing homelessness have the right to transportation to their school of origin. This provision applies even if a student moves outside of the school of origins' attendance zone or district boundaries. School of origin transportation must continue for the duration of the child's homelessness or until the end of the school year in which a child becomes permanently housed.

Title I Services

Students experiencing homelessness who are not on a Title-I campus are eligible to receive Title-I services. These services are provided at the discretion of the LEA through existing Title-I programs or through the use of Title-I, Part A set-aside funds for students who are not on Title-I campuses. Students on Title-I campuses may receive additional supplemental services to the services being provided on their campus through the Title-I, Part A set-asides as well. Services may include personal school supplies, items of clothing that are necessary to meet a school's dress requirement, immunizations, supplemental counseling services, tutoring, costs associated with credit recovery, or other similar activities to address a child's opportunity for school success.

For more information about homeless students, services, and opportunities, please visit the Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth website.

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Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program

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All Texas public schools, charter schools, and education services centers, collectively known as local education agencies (LEAs), must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students. These requirements are detailed in the McKinney-Vento Act. Webinar TEA hosted a webinar to provide information on ARP Homeless II for prospective grantees.

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Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth

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The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is to identify and remove barriers for children and youth experiencing homelessness and ensure that students in these circumstances have equitable access to all available supports and resources to meet the same challenging state academic standards established for all students.

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Highly Mobile and At Risk Student Programs

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The Highly Mobile and At-Risk (HMAR) Student Programs Unit, housed within the Office of Special Populations and Student Support (OSPSS) at the Texas Education Agency (TEA), is dedicated to increasing awareness, building capacity, and enhancing TEA's supports, resources, and tools.

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BCFS Health and Human Services is a nonprofit established in 1944 specializing in community-based care for at-risk families and children, prevention and early intervention services, housing for young adults aging out of the foster care system, mental health and life skill services, advocacy and case management coordination for survivors of human trafficking, medical programs for women who are pregnant or post-partum, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for families who have children with a disability or special need. For more than 79 years, BCFS Health and Human Services has profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of youth, children and families in a positive and caring way.

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BCFS Health and Human Services is a nonprofit established in 1944 specializing in community-based care for at-risk families and children, prevention and early intervention services, housing for young adults aging out of the foster care system, mental health and life skill services, advocacy and case management coordination for survivors of human trafficking, medical programs for women who are pregnant or post-partum, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for families who have children with a disability or special need.

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Buckner International | Transforming Lives with Christian Values · Buckner International

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Buckner transforms the lives of vulnerable children, enriches the lives of senior adults, and builds strong families through Christ-centered values.

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Foster Care & Student Success, housed in the Texas Education Agency's Highly Mobile and At-Risk Unit in the Office of Special Populations & Student Supports, maintains resources and information to advance the education of students impacted by foster care. The resources and materials provide guidance related to the unique circumstances surrounding students who are in the foster care system and attend Texas public schools.

Foster Care & Education Summit 2024

In partnership with The Texas Education Agency, The Children's Commission and The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will conduct the Foster Care and Education Summit. This training aims to provide guidance, resource tips, and tools to assist local education agencies and child welfare organizations with addressing the educational needs and requirements of students in foster care, as required by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Registration is now open. Please use this registration link to reserve your spot for the summit. We are excited to share new information with you. This summit will be for two days. There will be intentional time for learning new skills and strategies for working with students in foster care.

Past Training Sessions

Foster Care 101

Tuesday, November 28, 2023
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CST

Foster Care 101 Presentation | Foster Care 101 Recording

Foster Care 201

Tuesday, March 26, 2024
10 a.m. - 11: 30 a.m. CST

Foster Care 201 Presentation | Foster Care 201 Recording

Foster Care & Student Success Guide Overview

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapters 8-9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Resource Guide
View Resource Guide Details

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Foster Care & Student Success, housed in the Texas Education Agency's Highly Mobile and At-Risk Unit in the Office of Special Populations & Student Supports, maintains resources and information to advance the education of students impacted by foster care.

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Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock is a social service provider for Lubbock, Texas and surrounding counties. Catholic Charities provides emergency assistance, counseling for adults, youths, and families, assistance with tuition, immigration assistance, and has a thrift store.

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Larry Combest Community Health & Wellness Center

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Larry Combest Community Health & Wellness Center

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We provide eligible youth, ages 15 to 26, with access to driver education, helping them gain the skills and confidence to become licensed drivers—an essential step toward joining the workforce and becoming ready for adulthood.

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Lubbock's Designated Continuum of Care Lead Agency

Our Mission

ECHO West Texas is committed to connecting communities and providers to coordinate resources for people experiencing homelessness

Our Purpose

ECHO West Texas helps facilitate collaboration among providers, to coordinate services through a central database. Our goal is to promote a coordinated system of care, sustainable strategies, and measurable impact, and develop collective funding solutions for homeless service providers.

Latest Projects & Initiatives

A Note From the Director:

​

Valerie Longoria

ECHO West Texas believes meaningful impact starts
with strong collaboration across our entire community.

View More Supporters Below

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

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ECHO West Texas is a Lubbock non-profit helping to coordinate services and programs for homeless and at-risk individuals and families.

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We are happy that you are here. Our main goal is to provide access to those in need of affordable counseling services. We offer individual, family, marriage, and group counseling to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. At our center, we want to be a place where you feel welcome and accepted. At FCS you can talk about your struggles and access the resources you need to help yourself and your family. We see people for a wide array of issues ranging from depression and anxiety to addictions, anger, and relationship problems. In-person and Zoom sessions are available.

Our mission is to provide high quality counseling and educational services to Lubbock and the surrounding areas. We offer reasonable rates that cater to your current financial situation. At Family Counseling Services, we strive to reach anyone and everyone at their present level and help you to achieve the goals that will lead to a happier, stronger, well-adjusted you.

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Counseling | Family Counseling Services | Lubbock

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Wellness for individuals. Wellness for families. Wellness for the community. We provide affordable mental health counseling services in person and online.

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Family Promise provides shelter, support and growth opportunities to homeless families with children.

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Grace Campus | Volunteer Center of Lubbock

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Economic Opportunity, Homelessness & Poverty

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Contact Us

Phone

(806) 762-2325 - Main Office
(806) 894-1112 - Levelland(806) 872-7544 - Lamesa
(432) 758-5411 - (806) 637-4984 - Brownfield
(806) 385-4222 - Littlefield

Email
[email protected]
Address & Hours

Main Office:

916 Main Street, Suite 103, Lubbock, Texas 79401

Levelland Office:

802 Houston Street, Levelland, TX 79336

Dawson County Courthouse:
4th Floor
400 S. 1st Street, Lamesa, TX 79331
Open: Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday
By Appointment Only

Gaines County Courthouse:
In the 106th District Courtroom
101 S. Main St, Seminole, TX 79360
Open: Every 2nd & 4th Thursday
By Appointment Only

Terry County Courthouse:
Basement Location
500 W. Main Brownfield, TX 79316
Open: Every 1st Thursday of the month
By Appointment Only
Lamb County Courthouse:
1st Floor Conference Room
100 6th Drive, Littlefield, TX 79339
Open: 4th Thursday of every month
By Appointment Only

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Phone (806) 762-2325 - Main Office (806) 894-1112 - Levelland(806) 872-7544 - Lamesa (432) 758-5411 - (806) 637-4984 - Brownfield (806) 385-4222 - Littlefield Email [email protected] Address & Hours Main Office: 916 Main Street, Suite 103, Lubbock, Texas 79401 Levelland Office: 802 Houston Street, Levelland, TX 79336 Dawson County Courthouse: 4th Floor 400 S.

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Families that qualify for Medicaid or SNAP might be eligible for a free phone.

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The LifeLine program, established in 1985, provides discounts on telephone service for eligible low-income consumers. It is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The LifeLine benefit initially provided a $10 monthly discount for landline phones. In 2008, the program was made available for wireless phone service.

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Lubbock Children's Health Clinic would like to share more about who we are and what we do! To learn more about us, click the Watch Now button below!

The Lubbock Children's Health Clinic provides more than just medical services.

​

We are a medical home where you and your child are at the center of care.

At Lubbock Children's Health Clinic, we provide a variety of services to keep your child healthy and help avoid illness and injury.

Our clinics are staffed with nurse practitioners under the supervision of a pediatrician.

Have questions?

Need to schedule an appointment?

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Lubbock Children's Health Clinic would like to share more about who we are and what we do! To learn more about us, click the Watch Now button below! The Lubbock Children's Health Clinic provides more than just medical services. ​ We are a medical home where you and your child are at the center of care.

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Lubbock Dream Center | Helping the community together!

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The Lubbock Dream Center exists to see social and spiritual transformation in our city. We desire to see the hearts and minds of people transformed by the Word of God, and by the love and acceptance of the body of Christ.

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A home is more than just a roof over your head. A home should be a place where you are able to build your future, grow your dreams, and find safety and rest. The Housing Authority of the City of Lubbock aims to do just this. We have a mission to help every resident of Lubbock find a safe place to live, dream, and grow. If you are looking for affordable housing in Lubbock, we are here to help. Whether you are looking for public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), or Section 8 Project Based Vouchers (PBV), you can apply here.

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A home is more than just a roof over your head. A home should be a place where you are able to build your future, grow your dreams, and find safety and rest. The Housing Authority of the City of Lubbock aims to do just this.

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Open Door began its ministry with the people experiencing homelessness in 1997 when members of Broadway Church of Christ saw a need for people in homelessness to develop community and connect with resources. Originally housed in a donated building in North Overton, Open Door opened as a church and community center for those in the neighborhood who needed a place to go.

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We are dedicated to doing the most good throughout the U.S. Donate online to support The Salvation Army. Your help provides critical services. Donate Today.

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This site is privately owned and is not affiliated with any government agency. Learn more here.

Free Guide

Free, helpful information about the Section 8 benefits.

Helpful Information

Get clear information about how to apply for benefits.

Personalized Offers

We ask survey questions to connect you with offers. Our survey is optional and not required to get your free guide!

We are a private company that provides a helpful and free guide. We are not affiliated with or owned by any government agency.

We provide our guide to you for free. To do this, we finance our website through ads and advertising partners. Many of our users allow us to share some of their information with our marketing partners so they can send them offers of their interest.

Our free guide provides information about requirements and how to seek benefits in a way that is clear and easy to understand. We've gathered important information from several other places and put it together in one place.

Our free guide helps by providing you with information about applying for benefits.

Learn more about us

We Provide a Free Guide

Easy access to the answers you need

Countless Americans across the country miss out on benefits they're entitled to, either because they weren't aware or because they didn't know where to start.

That's why we do what we do. You can browse our site for more information.

Here at section-8-housing.org, our goal is to be your bridge to benefits. We help those seeking to apply for assistance benefits by providing them with the information they need to: understand the requirements of the program, learn about the application process and seek to get the most out of their benefits.

Information You Can Find in Our Guide:

Our free guide will help you understand the steps you have to take and how to obtain the benefits you are looking for.

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We know how difficult it can be to navigate the application process for benefits. That's why, as an independent and private company, we tried to make it easier to understand the process. Our free guide will help you understand the steps you have to take and how to obtain the benefits you are looking for.
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We've examined official online resources for federal and state governments to find answers to questions we think you may need help with.

We Provide a Free Guide

Our FREE guide provides helpful information about how to apply for benefits. Learn more about us here.
Get the Guide

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Section 8 Housing Eligibility Guide - How to Apply & Get Accepted Today

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Need help applying for Section 8 housing? We make the application process headache-free with up to date information for 2019. Get accepted today!

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South Plains Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization. EIN: 75-1904829. A Member of the Feeding America Network.

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Seek Support With United Way We stand UNITED with you. Lubbock Area United Way supports our community by providing financial, health, safety, and educational resources. Finances Healthcare Education Safety We're here for Your support. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone or visit 211texas.org to connect to a broad number of available non-emergency services in our area.

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Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or financial abuse (using money and financial tools to exert control). Some abusers can exert complete control over a victim's every action without ever using violence or subtle threats of violence.

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TEHCY Student Success & Behavior Support Guide

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TEHCY Student Success & Behavior Support Guide

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TEHCY Student Success & Behavior Support Guide | TEHCY

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The TEHCY Student Success & Behavior Support Guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to support and respond to students experiencing homelessness related to behavior and discipline. This guide presents clear and specific descriptions of the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act as they pertain to discipline, and includes practices, procedures, and tools that local education agencies (LEAs) will be able to use to strengthen services and supports to students experiencing homelessness