88R7076 BK-D
 
  By: Wu H.C.R. No. 37
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, Every year, an estimated 20,000 young Texans are
  placed in our state's foster care system, and the establishment of
  an annual Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day will help ensure that
  they receive the support they need to realize their full potential;
  and
         WHEREAS, Youth in the foster care system are required to
  navigate considerable challenges, and of particular concern are
  those young people who age out of the system; in Texas, nearly 40
  percent of the individuals who exited foster care in 2020 left due
  to aging out, rather than being adopted or reunified with family;
  nationally, more than 23,000 youth age out of foster care each year,
  and of that number, 20 percent become homeless, and only 3 percent
  go on to earn a higher education degree; and
         WHEREAS, Many young people find it difficult to transition
  out of foster care because they lack an effective support system;
  they can benefit greatly from services provided by state agencies,
  including financial literacy education, access to vaccinations and
  other medical care, and assistance with acquiring official
  paperwork and identification documentation; moreover, guidance in
  how to apply for student financial aid, Medicaid, and other
  benefits can enable them to achieve stability and greater
  independence; and
         WHEREAS, Many foster youth are also underserved in regard to
  their mental and emotional health; the experience of living in
  foster care, as well as the abuse and neglect that they may have
  experienced before being removed from their original homes, can
  have a long-term impact, which is best addressed through
  professional therapy and counseling; and
         WHEREAS, Young people represent the future of our state, and
  Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day celebrates those who are part of
  our foster care system while raising awareness of the important
  work that must be done to achieve better outcomes for these
  deserving young Texans; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby designate May 31 as Texas Foster Youth Empowerment Day; and,
  be it further
         RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of
  Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in
  effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is
  finally passed by the legislature.