CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

The Volunteers of America Texas Family Mentor Program serves both English and Spanish speaking families in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Rockwall Counties. Families in crisis are referred to Volunteers of America Texas by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Family mentors are placed in the home to work with the children and parents. The intent of this in-home service is to strengthen families and prevent the placement of children outside the home.

Volunteers of America Texas began the Family Mentor Program in 1988. Family mentors go into the home to teach parenting skills, nutrition, safety, money management, housekeeping skills, stress management, anger control and self-esteem. The mentors also provide respite care to foster parents.

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PREPARATION FOR ADULT LIVING

Volunteers of America Texas provides an array of services to adolescents in foster care as they face the challenges of independence and adulthood. For teens in the care of the state, adulthood means leaving the state's conservatorship and making it on their own. Through the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program, young people ages 16-20 years can develop skills and access services that will last a lifetime.

In this region, youth are referred by Child Protective Services from a 19 county region. These youths receive instruction and training in the following areas: money, management, interpersonal relationships, housing, transportation, future planning, health care and job skills. Each youth is assessed for their ability to function independently.

PAL also helps teens to complete their educational plans and to acquire their high school diploma or G.E.D. PAL provides them with resources to explore other opportunities beyond high school such as college or vocational training. PAL offers career counseling and job development opportunities through the direct assistance of PAL staff.

PAL volunteer mentors are available to those youths that desire the availability of a training volunteer to provide support during this time of transition. Whether a person is needed to provide a 'listening ear', or a vital link to the community, the youth is not left to face adulthood alone.

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FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES

Volunteers of America Texas provides Family Preservation Services for the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services in Wise, Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Hunt and Kaufman Counties. Families in crisis are referred to Volunteers of America Texas by Child Protective Services. The intent of this program is to keep families together. Through assessments, support and case management, Volunteers of America Texas works with both children and parents to strengthen the family. Each family works with a case manager who visits the home and works with the family by role modeling and giving support, enabling the family to reach identified goals. The program also provides counseling and evaluation services as well as connections to community resources.

TDPRS caseworkers may access Family Preservation Services by telephone referral.

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Low Income Housing

Volunteers of America Texas provides housing for disabled people with low incomes. Individuals must meet HUD's definition of disability. These programs specifically serve individuals who are mentally retarded or who are disabled due to HIV. This program is funded through HUD. Rent is based on a person's income and their disability status.

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