During World War I, my great-grandfather left his ranch in Edwards County traveling 150 miles toward San Antonio. He was on a mission to send his 16-year-old daughter by train another 300 miles to Denton and what is now Texas Woman’s University (TWU). Before boarding, he handed her the first $100 bill she’d ever seen to cover every cost until returning at Christmas. It was a bittersweet goodbye, but the frontier needed teachers. My grandmother became a great one.
Texans have long valued the life-changing benefits of higher education, historically funding some of the nation’s best universities. Notably, this commitment includes postsecondary pathways for all Texans. In establishing its first colleges in 1876, Texas simultaneously created what are now Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M University, one of our first historically Black colleges or universities in Texas. TWU, established in 1901, remains the nation’s only public university dedicated primarily to the education of women.
In the 1990s, Texas continued this tradition, modeling the state’s tuition waiver for students with prior foster care involvement on its robust program for veterans. Texans should take pride in this nationally recognized program, which results in better access to education and ultimately greater access to justice for some of the most vulnerable Texans.
The program waives tuition and fees at public colleges and universities for students who experienced the child welfare system. The waiver covers students who were adopted or aged out of the Texas child welfare system, but also those reunified with their families. According to Education Reach for Texans, students using the waiver are three and a half times more likely to graduate from college than peers.
In 2010, the Supreme Court of Texas established the Education Committee of the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, recognizing that judges have the responsibility to ensure educational opportunities and encourage educational success for children in their courts who are in state conservatorship. Judicial work in the field has seen tremendous growth, with courts partnering with state and local institutions. In addition to the Children’s Commission, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Casey Family Programs publish court resources and judicial checklists providing concrete, practical interventions needed to ensure children in foster care are prepared for success.
Attorneys practicing in the child welfare system also ensure access to justice for Texas children. Recognizing this, the Supreme Court of Texas certified child welfare as the 20th area of legal specialization in 2017. Attorneys ad litem appointed to represent children in state conservatorship have the duty to ensure determination of children’s educational needs and goals, and that they receive appropriate services. Fortunately, a court with extended jurisdiction for a young adult previously in state conservatorship may continue ad litem appointments beyond their 18th birthday, helping guarantee these Texans utilize their waivers.
Students aging out of foster care are most vulnerable to economic barriers and lack of relational support that make higher education unattainable. Because of seminal work at the University of North Texas, Texas State University, and others, long-standing institutional support for students with experience in foster care evolved. Starting with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, many Texas university systems offer federally funded, on-campus supervised independent living programs. They provide yearlong room and board and other wraparound support.
Despite efforts, increasing waiver utilization remains challenging; fewer than 60% of eligible students take advantage. Critically, eligibility must be solidified by age 25, a difficult task for this population who often delay college attendance. My hope for a state-wide program to “lock in” the waiver seemed unachievable. However, through incredible ingenuity of dedicated professionals, the goal is starting to be realized. At no cost, qualified students may now attend a three-week bridge program designed specifically for students with experience in foster care. Students earn six college credit hours with free room and board while learning to navigate college and locking in their lifelong waiver.
The program is TWU’s FAST Academy, currently in its second year. The academy plans to eventually serve hundreds of Texas children each summer. One lead developer is a native of Edwards County; my grandmother would be proud! More importantly, all Texans can take pride in the amazing opportunities they provide the most vulnerable youth in our society.
Judge Rob Hofmann serves the 452nd Judicial District in five Hill Country counties as well as the Texas Children’s Commission as senior jurist in residence. He is the immediate past president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.