S.C.R. No. 143 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-2 recognizing the Austin Division of the Casey Family Program for its 1-3 outstanding service to the community; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Initiated by the late Jim Casey, a well-known, 1-5 hardworking humanitarian, the Casey Family Program was created to 1-6 provide quality care for children in need of long-term foster 1-7 homes; the program is a standard-setting agency that recognizes 1-8 each child's individual needs and the importance of adhering to 1-9 high ideals; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The Austin Division opened in March of 1985 and has 1-11 provided long-term foster care placement services to a total of 130 1-12 children between July of 1985 and the present; currently 64 1-13 children and youths are receiving long-term foster care, nine 1-14 youths are receiving continuing education/job training services, 1-15 and 14 youths are receiving living/transition services; and 1-16 WHEREAS, A highly successful agency, the Austin Division has 1-17 assisted referral sources in finding appropriate placement 1-18 resources and other needed services for approximately 5,000 youths 1-19 throughout communities in Texas over its 10-year history; and 1-20 WHEREAS, There are now 45 foster families providing long-term 1-21 foster care in the Austin Division, and the success of the Austin 1-22 program was a major factor leading to the development of a second 1-23 Casey Division in San Antonio; and 2-1 WHEREAS, An exceptional human service program, the Austin 2-2 Division of the Casey Family Program equips young people with the 2-3 skills to form and sustain significant positive relationships and 2-4 to participate as responsible members of the community, and the 2-5 commitment to youths extends beyond the 18th birthday; youths who 2-6 leave the Casey program can return up to age 24 years to be 2-7 considered for scholarship assistance for college or vocational 2-8 plans; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-10 hereby commend the Austin Division of the Casey Family Program for 2-11 its superior service and express appreciation for its many 2-12 contributions to the community; and, be it further 2-13 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the 2-14 agency as a token of esteem from the Texas Legislature.