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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Every year, an estimated 20,000 young Texans are |
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placed in our state's foster care system, and the establishment of |
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an annual Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day will help ensure that |
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they receive the support they need to realize their full potential; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Youth in the foster care system are required to |
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navigate considerable challenges, and of particular concern are |
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those young people who age out of the system; in Texas, nearly 40 |
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percent of the individuals who exited foster care in 2020 left due |
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to aging out, rather than being adopted or reunified with family; |
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nationally, more than 23,000 youth age out of foster care each year, |
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and of that number, 20 percent become homeless, and only 3 percent |
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go on to earn a higher education degree; and |
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WHEREAS, Many young people find it difficult to transition |
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out of foster care because they lack an effective support system; |
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they can benefit greatly from services provided by state agencies, |
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including financial literacy education, access to vaccinations and |
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other medical care, and assistance with acquiring official |
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paperwork and identification documentation; moreover, guidance in |
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how to apply for student financial aid, Medicaid, and other |
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benefits can enable them to achieve stability and greater |
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independence; and |
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WHEREAS, Many foster youth are also underserved in regard to |
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their mental and emotional health; the experience of living in |
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foster care, as well as the abuse and neglect that they may have |
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experienced before being removed from their original homes, can |
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have a long-term impact, which is best addressed through |
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professional therapy and counseling; and |
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WHEREAS, Young people represent the future of our state, and |
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Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day celebrates those who are part of |
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our foster care system while raising awareness of the important |
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work that must be done to achieve better outcomes for these |
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deserving young Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate May 31 as Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of |
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Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in |
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effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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finally passed by the legislature. |