Breaking Cycles of Instability through ACTS

Research has shown that many youth who exit the foster care system are at high risk of experiencing homelessness. Youth exiting foster care don’t always have the same educational and employment support as their peers. Additionally, they may be challenged with food security, long-term housing stability, and access to mental health support. 

At LifeWorks, it’s our goal to break the cycle of instability for these youth. 

Our After Care Transition Services (ACTS) program provides case management services to youth and young adults who age out of foster care up until their 21st birthday. ACTS clients are eligible to enroll in any services they desire, and our case managers can help with goal setting, obtaining legal documents, financial management, parenting support, family reunification, finding employment, and more. 

We spoke with two LifeWorks staff members who support the ACTS program for more insight on how they prepare teens in foster care transition to adulthood. 

Julie Baker is a Program Services Coordinator and has dedicated 29 years to LifeWorks. Sara Metty, LPC Associate is an ACTS Case Manager coming up on 19 years with LifeWorks in January. 

Explain how the ACTS and Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program is a significant support for clients who have aged out of the foster care system? 

Sara: Both programs are designed to help our clients through a time of growth and change. Young adulthood is tough and coming out of foster care with few or no support is even tougher. These programs are designed to build on the strengths of our clients, to give them an opportunity to learn who they are and who they want to be. We provide resource information, financial assistance, and help them learn things such as budgeting, health care competency (including mental health), healthy relationships, educational support, job assistance, connecting with community, housing assistance, and building on life skills. 

Julie: Youth who age out of foster care have a lot of benefits to help them out. Emergency financial assistance for room and board, a tuition and fee waiver for state colleges and universities, extra funds for housing while in college (Education Training Voucher), Medicaid, money from having completed the PAL classes. ACTS helps them access these benefits. We also help them develop goals for themselves and support and assist them in taking those steps they want to take to reach their goals. Since most don’t have a family to rely on, we have been their support system for a very short time and encourage them and help them find other support and resources. 

How do programs like ACTS and PAL help end youth homelessness here in Austin? 

Sara: The programs provide community resources for financial assistance (as well as the program’s internal financial assistance), locating and obtaining affordable housing, educating on different housing options, helping to build relationships to sustain housing, and providing support throughout this process while looking toward the future. Housing is tied to so many aspects of life therefore we need to work on many basic life skills and growth opportunities. 

Julie: PAL starts working with youth between 16 and 18 years old, teaching life skills to help prepare them to be out on their own. The ACTS team continues with that process as case managers, helping them to successfully navigate services they need, providing emergency financial assistance, helping them access their benefits for college, Medicaid, etc. We also help them navigate systems to help prevent homelessness or help them out of it. This may be helping them with getting their vital documents, referrals to other programs, helping them with applications for housing vouchers if they get one, navigating FAFSA and enrolling in college, to name a few. 

What has been the most significant need or change in your clients’ needs throughout the pandemic? 

Sara: Foster youth are some of the most resilient people around. Having grown up facing trauma, adversity, constant change and instability, they have weathered the pandemic with continued tenacity. I believe that a need that has become at times overwhelming is the lack of decent, affordable housing and keeping clients stable once they are housed. 

Julie: I would say that the skyrocketing increase in the cost of living is the most significant change/need. Not just in Austin, but around the region. Our youth are young and most want to live on their own for the first time, having lived in group situations while in foster care. The cost of living makes it nearly impossible for them to do this, as well as afford an apartment on their own. And the amount of assistance for emergency room and board costs hasn’t changed in 20 years. 

What is the most challenging aspect of your work? 

Sara: As we are beginning to research and learn more and more about the connection between trauma and physical health, I have had numerous clients over the years face devastating health issues that get pushed aside due to concerns over basic needs. It is hard to worry about a brain tumor when you need a place to live, or you have had so much trauma in your life that lung cancer does not seem like a big deal. It is very hard to watch extreme medical needs not be taken care of because the clients are struggling with so many obstacles.  

Julie: Helping clients build a good support network. They haven’t had the best role models when it comes to relationships, and it can be hard for them to maintain positive relationships with others who don’t understand what they have been through. 

What is the most rewarding? 

Sara: We spend a lot of time encouraging and supporting our clients. The best moments come from our clients having a sense of pride and excitement as they take ownership of things that they have done, and positive changes they have made. 

Julie: The small steps (or big ones!) that clients take to move forward on their goals. It could be something as small as making a phone call on their own for the first time, agreeing to meet in public, grocery shopping on their own, considering a different option or direction. Seeing them realize they have the power within themselves to take the steps to move forward in whatever direction they choose. 

How can people help? What is the best advice you’d give for someone looking to impact the lives of youth aging out of foster care? 

Sara: Foster youth have often had a lifetime of people in and out of their lives. They are lucky if they feel they have a connection with one or two. A lifetime of trauma can make it difficult to be emotionally connected with others. But that is by far one of the most important things they need. If you want to impact lives – help us help our clients by becoming stable so they can move towards that next level of growth. It isn’t always easy, but a true connection and feelings that someone cares about you is invaluable. A cup of coffee, a movie night, a phone call to listen. A willingness to forgive, a bag of groceries or a ride to the store to get medicine.  

Julie: Understand that these youth have overcome dire circumstances throughout their lives and are doing the best they can to be independent with what they have. 

Anything you’d like to add? 

Sara: A feeling of worth and belonging is often overlooked when we think about basic needs. However, with good programs in place, that is the next step. We need to foster a community of people that care about each other and understand that we can all grow and change.