According to the federal Administration for Children and Families Children’s Bureau, nearly 20,000 youth exit foster care each year without a permanent family, and many exit care without receiving the services necessary to prepare them for adulthood and independent living. May is National Foster Care Month to raise awareness about supporting children, youth, and families that experience foster care.  

Below are educational resources that judges and attorneys can reference to provide support for the health and well-being of those involved in the child welfare system, and in particular for older youth in care.

• American Bar Association Judicial Bench Cards for Engaging Youth in the Courtroom
• Children’s Commission
• Webinars:
• Representing Older Youth in Care
• Enhancing the Experience of Children and Youth in Court: How Judges and Attorneys Can Prepare and Support Youth Attending Court   
• Coloring Book: Sam and the Search for Spots; How Your Lawyer Can Help You (English) (Spanish)
• Youth Voice videos: Your Lawyer Works for You
• Texas CASA Normalcy Matters: A Guide to Supporting Children & Youth in Texas Foster Care
• Texas Department of Family Protective Services:
• Youth in Foster Care Resource Page
• Texas Youth Helpline
• Texas Foster Youth Justice Project website
• Aging Out of Foster Care in Texas One-Pager (English) (Spanish)

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For a complete list of Resource Letters, please visit the Children's Commission webpage. Information provided by the Children’s Commission should not be read as a commentary by the Supreme Court of Texas or any other court. The Children’s Commission website is not equipped to facilitate dialogue or conversation about matters related to the information in this communique. For more information about the Children’s Commission, please visit our website.

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