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Vocational Rehabilitation and the Foster Care Community
May 18th, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Featuring moderation from TWC Commissioner for Employers Aaron Demerson, this panel will focus on the services and supports available through TWC’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, as well as an employer who has worked with the VR program previously and can provide perspective on the benefits of the program from an employer perspective.
Speakers:
- Aaron Demerson, Commissioner for Employers, Texas Workforce Commission (moderator)
- Cheryl Fuller, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Division, Texas Workforce Commission
- Laura Villareal, M. Ed., CRC, Program Specialist for Transition Services, Texas Workforce Commission
- Samantha Moreno, Disability Bridges Recruiter, H-E-B
View the Webinar Here:
The Intersection of Foster Care, Juvenile Justice, and Race
May 27th, 2021 11:00 a.m.
Equitable access to services is an ongoing challenge in the foster care space. The Foster Care and Service Equity panel will build on many of the concepts touched on at the Spring 2021 Foster Care Conference’s Mental Health and Support and Youth tracks with a timely conversation on common challenges and best practices related to equitable service and support delivery across all populations served by the Texas foster care community.
Speakers:
- Tanya Rollins, MSW, CPS Disproportionality Manager, Department of Family and Protective Services
- The Honorable Aurora Martinez Jones, Judge, 126th Civil District Court, Travis County
- Dr. Sarah Guidry, Executive Director, The Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law
View the Webinar Here:
TWC and DFPS Cross Training
During the course of updating the foster care MOU between DFPS and TWC, a need for improved education and training across the two agencies was identified. As part of TWC’s National Foster Youth Month Celebration, DFPS and TWC will offer training webinars to each agency’s respective staff to improve coordination and service provision across agencies.
If you are not a TWC or DFPS employee and are interested in attending one of these webinars, please email twcfostercare@twc.texas.gov for more information.
View the Webinar Here:
Foster Youth Transition Center & Youth Success Stories
All month long, TWC will promote the work done to support foster youth entering the workforce by our Foster Youth Transition Centers, as well as share success stories of youth who have entered the workforce and begun charting their own path toward a bright future and fulfilling career. Stop by TWC’s Foster Care Website or follow us on Twitter in May to learn more about what these inspiring youth have achieved and how TWC’s Foster Youth Transition Centers helped them along the way!
Foster Care Events Across Texas
| Host | Date & Time | Location | Event Name & Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| The PRIDE Center and Workforce Solution Borderplex staff |
May 6, 2021
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
|
Workforce Solution Borderplex and the PRIDE Center |
Nurturing Our Youth Mentorship Series: For the next four Thursdays in partnership with the Workforce Solution Borderplex and El Paso Human Service, Inc – the PRIDE Center TLC will be hosting a series of Mentorship and employment workshops. National Foster Youth Mentorship Series – Kickoff with Commissioner Aaron Demerson at Workforce Solution Borderplex. Motivational Speaker: Rosalinda Natividad. Afterwards Commissioner Demerson toured the PRIDE Center visiting with staff. Proclamation presented to Susana Reza, Executive Director for El Paso Human Services, Inc. by Commissioner Aaron Demerson. Contact: Santiago Gonzalez, Program Coordinator for the PRIDE Center 915-309-7154 |
| The PRIDE Center |
May 13, 2021
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
|
The PRIDE Center
820 Montana
El Paso, TX
|
Grind Talk Workshop Special Guest Attorney Lucia Flores. Interview preparation. Youth will receive a gift card for participating. Contact: Santiago Gonzalez, Program Coordinator for the PRIDE Center 915-309-7154 |
| BCFS HHS Abilene |
May 14, 2021
6:00 p.m.
|
Zoom Meeting |
Developing Leadership Will Meiron 325-370-7677 |
| The PRIDE Center |
May 20, 2021
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
|
The PRIDE Center
820 Montana
El Paso, TX
|
Grind Talk Workshop: Special Guest the El Paso Electric Company internship program. Youth will receive a gift card for participating. Contact: Santiago Gonzalez, Program Coordinator for the PRIDE Center 915-309-7154 |
| The PRIDE Center |
May 27, 2021
12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.
|
The PRIDE Center
820 Montana
El Paso, TX
|
Mini Job Fair for graduating youth and a recognition certificate signed by Commissioner Aaron Demerson. Also youth will receive a laptop and a gift card presented to all youth who completed all monthly series. Contact: Santiago Gonzalez, Program Coordinator for the PRIDE Center 915-309-7154 |
