Your Texas Benefits

Learn and apply for benefits that you might be eligible for:

• WIC Food Benefits
• SNAP Food Benefits
• TANF Cash Help
• Health Care
• Support Services

Texas Foster Care Handbook

The following resource is presented in a PDF document. Click below to open and download the handbook.

Emergency Resources

The following resources are presented in PDF documents. Click below to open and download the guides.

Emergency Hotlines

Foster Youth Justice:
1 (877) 313-3688

Hunger Hotline:
1 (866) 348-6479
or 1 (877) 842-6273 for Spanish

Crisis Textline:
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor

Get Tested For COVID-19

Think you have symptoms of COVID-19? Order at at-home test kit, or find your nearest testing location.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Use the links below to find your nearest location for drive-thru, walk-up, and appointment options.

Youth Action Council

• Engage in advocacy and action to improve education and life outcomes
• Collaborate with youth leaders and be a catalyst for lasting change
• Leadership opportunities

CLIMB

• Develop skills to prepare you for success
• Engage virtually with staff at UTSA, TAMUSA, and Alamo Colleges District
• Earn up to $1,000 of Microscholarships

Early College High School

An Early College High School provides students with up to 60 college credit hours and substantial support to guide students into an Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Science degree or an Associate of Applied Science degree.

BCFES College, University Programs, & Application Deadlines

The following resource is presented in a PDF document. Click below to open and download the file.

Alamo Colleges Pre-College Programs

Earn college credits, find tuition assistance, and more.

UTSA Pre-College Programs

The following resources are presented in PDF documents. Click below to open and download the files.

College Admission 101

View resources and information on foster care to boards, transition centers, and other partners who are helping youth in or formerly in foster care achieve and sustain economic prosperity.

Texas Foster Care Handbook

The following resource is presented in a PDF document. Click below to open and download the handbook.

Emergency Resources

The following resources are presented in PDF documents. Click below to open and download the guides.

Your Texas Benefits

View resources and information on foster care to boards, transition centers, and other partners who are helping youth in or formerly in foster care achieve and sustain economic prosperity.

Alamo Colleges Career Coach

• Career Assessment
• Browse Careers
• Browse Education/Training Programs
• Easy Resume Builder

Ready To Work SA

The City of San Antonio offers free workforce training and education to San Antonio residents to help them secure skilled, higher paying jobs.

TSA Supervised
Independent Living (SIL)

SIL provides housing and meals for students in extended foster care living on-campus at UTSA. 

The following resource is presented in a PDF document. Click below to open and download the guide.

TAMUSA Supervised
Independent Living (SIL)

SIL provides housing and meals for students in extended foster care living on-campus at TAMUSA. 

Alamo Colleges Student Housing

Resources for student apartments, residence halls, and homestays for Alamo Colleges students.

UTSA Student Housing

Resources for student housing and residence life for all UTSA students.

TAMUSA Student Housing

Resources for student housing for all TAMUSA students.

Renter’s Insurance

Learn about renter’s insurance and how it can help you.

Insurance

Star Health is for young adults in foster care and kinship care.

Services include:

• Primary and Specialty Physicians
• Vision and Dental
• Hospital Care
• Telehealth
• Transportation to Appointments

Helpful Phone Numbers

Superior Health Plan Member Services: 866-912-6283

Health Passport:
866-714-7996

24-hour Nurse Advice Line:
844-590-4883

Medical Transportation:
877-633-8747

Telehealth:
800-835-2362

Dental: 888-308-4766

Vision: 866-642-8959

Prepare For Your First Visit

1. Look through the list of providers and choose your clinic/provider.

2.  Call the clinic’s/provider’s office and ask if they are taking new patients and verify if they are accepting your insurance plan.

3. Make your appointment date/time.

4. Prepare any important documents you need to bring. Ask during the phone call if you are unsure.

5. Come early to your appointment to fill out your paperwork.

Your Texas Benefits

Roy Maas Youth Alternatives

LoveIsRespect.org

National Dating Abuse Helpline: 1 (866) 331-9474

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 (800) 799-7233

The Texas Youth Hotline: (800) 989-6884

Texas Foster Youth Health Initiative

Explore resources to help youth feel connected, safe, and empowered to make informed decisions about their sexual health and relationships.

Guide To “Aging Out” In Texas

The Texas Foster Youth Project helps current and former foster youth in Texas to understand their legal rights. They provide legal advice, assistance, guidance, and representation in enforcing foster care rights and resolving legal problems as youth age out of care.

This information is presented in a PDF document. Click below to open and download the guide.

Driver’s License Guide For Foster Youth

Freedom Wheels designed this easy to use guide to help youth ages 15-17 prepare for and receive their driver’s license.

The following resource is presented in a PDF document. Click below to open and download the guide.

VIA Metropolitan Transit

UTSA and VIA have partnered to provide free, unlimited bus service to current UTSA students and paid employees.

VIA riders can get real-time bus arrival information delivered to their mobile devices here.

Social Justice Resources

• Readings
• Films & Videos
• Antiracist Resources
• Activities & Discussions

Click below to open and download the PDF file.

LGBTQ+

Resources to assist lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning foster youth in the San Antonio and Greater Texas area.

Click below to open and download the PDF file.

Asian/Asian American

Resources to assist Asian and Asian American foster youth in the San Antonio and Greater Texas area.

Click below to open and download the PDF file.

Black/African American

Resources to assist Black and African American foster youth in the San Antonio and Greater Texas area.

Click below to open and download the PDF file.

Hispanic/Latinx

Resources to assist Hispanic and Latinx foster youth in the San Antonio and Greater Texas area.

Click below to open and download the PDF file.

Youth With Disabilities

Resources to assist foster youth with disabilities in the San Antonio and Greater Texas area.

Click below to open and download the PDF file.

Indigenous

Resources to assist Indigenous foster youth in the San Antonio and Greater Texas area.

Click below to open and download the PDF file.