​Conference materials
​2023 Conference
San Marcos, Texas
The 2023 Conference was hosted by Texas State University. Presentations from the event appear below.
​2021 conference
Virtual
General & legislative updates
Presented by:
Christine Norton, Texas State University
Andy Homer, Texas CASA
Debra Emerson, Department of Family and Protective Services
Our Reach board members provided a thorough overview of the legislative session and COVID related resources for foster alumni and higher education professionals.
​Foster Care Liaison 101
Presented by:
Brenda Sweeten, North Texas University and
Amy O'Keefe, Texas Women's University
Reach's Foster Care Liaison 101 Training is a "must" for all new foster care liaisons or liaisons who might need a refresher on how to stand up a program. Learn the essential components of creating an intentional space for foster alumni on your campus. Follow the link to view this training.
2020 Conference
Postponed due to COVID
2019 Conference
Austin, Texas
​The 10th Annual Education Reach for Texans Conference was hosted by the Texas Institute of Child and Family Wellbeing, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University and Austin Community College along with local partners.
2018 Conference
Denton, Texas
The 9th Annual Education Reach for Texans Conference was hosted by North Central Texas Community College (NCTC), Texas Woman’s University (TWU), and the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas. The keynote speakers, Angelique Day and Liliana Hernandez, provided a Federal Policy Overview of Foster Care Alumni in Higher Education.
Breakout Session 1:
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Richard Capodagli
The Resilient Student: Using a Coaching Model to Foster Care Alumni in Educational Settings - Pioneer II
Felisha Burleson
“C” What’s Happening!
Jennifer Jones
A Convergence: Foster Care, Education,& Homelessness
Brett Merfish & Gabriella McDonald
Afternoon Keynote: Federal Legislation for Foster Alumni and Post-secondary Education
Dr. Angelique Day & Liliana Hernandez
Breakout Session 2:
Support, Advocacy and Presence in Helping Youth Achieve Educational Goals
Holly Durham
Fostering Success: A Threefold Proactive Process
Dr. Javier Flores, Gigi Scott & Casey Theiman
Traveling the ETV Pathway: Tips for Sure-Footed Success
Brandi Purswell & Jennifer Conn
Managing Relationships with Dean of Students, Judicial Affairs, Greek Life, Housing, Athletics, Academic Affairs and more
Brenda Faulkner, Kelyn Green & Morgan Scott
Breakout Session 3:
Nothing About Us, Without Us: Discovering What Foster Care Alumni Want and Need from You (panel discussion)
Brenda Sweeten, Emily Williams, Maryssa Vasquez, Dellandra Adams & LaThisa Soders
Innovative Programs through On Campus Collaborations
Sarah Matteson
Tapping into Transition Centers
Madeline Reedy & Shannon Bowling
Transitional Living Services and Benefits for Foster Care Alumni
Traci Baker & Tom Ellison
Breakout Session 4:
Social Emotional Trauma and it’s Devastating Impact on Education
Rodney Walker
Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Foster Care Program at a Small College
Diana Stiles
Retention Through Relationships
Roseana Lahti & Eriko Tyner
Collaborating with the Community Village: Engaging Resources to Recruit and Support Foster Care Alumni
Dr. Keri Rogers Mize & Brenda Sweeten
2017 Conference
Texas A&M University - Commerce, Commerce, TX
Texas A&M University-Commerce graciously hosted the 8th Annual Convening to an eager crowd of 130 on June 11-13th, 2017. Presentations for the event are listed below. See the convening program for other details on the meeting.
​Accountability, Program Evaluation, and the Casey Family Programs’ Framework for Program Enhancement:
A Trio of Sustainability Factors
Nerissa LeBlanc Gillum, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Family Studies, TWU
Amy O’Keefe, Director of Campus Alliance Resource Education (CARE), TWU
Monica Mendez-Grant, Vice President of Student Life, TWU
Your Voice is Heard: Discussing Foster Care Alumni Rights
Jason Robbins, MSW
Transforming High Mobility Into Momentum: Moving Highly Mobile Youth Towards Post Secondary Success
Vicky S. Dill, Ph.D. UT Austin
Mr. Ken Martin, B.B.A. UT Austin
STAR Heath Foster Care Medicaid Transitioning Youth Orientation
Mary Armstrong LPC, LCDC Senior Manager Foster Care Training, STAR Health Foster Care Medicaid, Superior Health Plan, Cenpatico Behavioral
Tara Hosch, BA/BS Senior Trainer Senior Manager Foster Care Training
Gloria Fobbs, LMSW Senior Trainer Senior Manager Foster Care Training
Foster Youth Transition Centers
Madeline Reedy, Senior Director, Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC), CitySquare
Creating a Pathway Towards Success: The basics of starting a foster care alumni program on your campus
Jennifer Alaniz
Ashley Ochoa, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Center for Student Success, Fostering Towards Success, Advisor
Navigating the Education Training Voucher (ETV) Waters: Tips for Smooth Sailing
Sarah Humphrey, BCFS Health and Human Services, ETV Specialist
Brandi Purswell, BCFS Health and Human Services, ETV Specialist
2016 Conference
El Paso Community College - El Paso, TX
The 7th annual convening at El Paso Community College in El Paso, TX on June 6 & 7, 2016 brought many state leaders and stakeholders to the table to discuss the future work needed to support foster care alumni in achieving post-secondary success. Presentations from the event appear below. Also, see the convening program for details of all presentations.
Foster Care and Student Success
Kelly Kravitz, Texas Education Agency
education_reach_2016.pdf
Advocacy and Collaboration for Foster Care Alumni
Tym Belseth, TDFPS
improving_the_foster_care_experience_-_copy.pptx
Building a Successful Alumni Support System on Your Campus
Shannon Ramsey, TDFPS and Dr. Christine Norton, Texas State University
education_reach_for_texas_june_2016_el_paso_final_june_1_2016.pptx
etv_flyer_rev_r1__8.1.14.pdf
handout_for_college_foster_care_liaisons_and_foster_care_students_may_2016.pdf
The Ins and Outs of ACH - SIL Supervised Independent Living Program
Carla Storey, ACH
sil_presentation_for_casa_4-6-16.pptx
Managing Finances and Resources
Steven Christopher, Roseanne Lahti, and Angelica Canano from Austin Community College, Campus Champions
foster_care_at_acc_-_6-16.pptx
Birth of a National Movement
Dr. Wade Bradfute, Austin Community College and Education Reach Board Member
birth_of_a_national_movement_040530-1.pptx
Life Without a Safety Net: Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Madeline Reedy, Transition Resource Action Center
life_without_a_safety_net.pptx
Afternoon Keynote (Day 2): The Fostering Success Coach Model
Jamie Bennett, Center for Fostering Success at Western Michigan
identity_ppt-texas.pptx
Achieving Success: Guidance for College to Better Support Foster Youth
A document by Youth Fostering Change
2015 Conference
Dallas County Community College - Dallas, TX
The 6th Annual Texas Reach Convening was hosted by Dallas County Community College District at their Bill J. Priest Campus in Dallas on 2-3 June 2015. Presentations from the event appear below. Also see the convening program for details of all presentations.
Click on the "Convening Proceedings" link above to access a summary of the 6th annual meeting. The document informs readers of keynote session content, legislative updates, CPS Transformation plans, and much more.
Existing Programs: UNT PUSH
Norma Davila, BCFS Health and Human Services, San Antonio Transition Center
Kelli Rhodes, Restore Education
Kerri Rhodes, Restore Education
Leveraging Community Partnerships to Break Barriers to College Access
Brenda Sweeten, University of North Texas
2014 - Austin Community College, Austin
The 5th Annual Texas Reach Convening was hosted by Austin Community College at their Highland Campus in Austin on 30 May 2014. Presentations from the event appear below.
Foster Care Alumni (FCA) in Higher Education: The Potential of a Strengths Framework
Toni Watt, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Texas State University-San Marcos
Christine Norton, Assistant Professor, Social Work and FACES Coordinator, Texas State University-San Marcos
Courtney Jones, Texas State University-San Marcos
2013 - Lone Star College, Houston
The 4th Annual Texas Reach Convening was hosted by Lone Star College-University Park in Houston on June 3 & 4, 2013. Presentations from the event appear below.
Keynote Address
Dr. John Seita, Associate Professor, Michigan State University
Importance of Self-Identifying for Service and Support
Kathy James, Foster Care Alumni Champion, Austin Community College
Lee Reichardt, Foster Care Alumni Champion, Austin Community College
Kay Cee Bruce, Foster Care Alumni Mentor, Austin Community College
Gabby Valladares, Youth Specialist, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Effectively Managing Finances & Resources: Money is No Object
Loretta Edelen, Community Outreach Director, Foster Care Alumni Coordinator, Austin Community College
Sylvia Galvan-Gonzalez, Dean of Student Services, Campus Champion, Austin Community College
Christopher Owens, Advising Supervisor, Campus Champion, Austin Community College