2022 Research Report

Over the past 3 years, our Texas Permanency Study has followed 197 youth in foster care to discover what helps them thrive in adulthood. Our final report shows that supporting better outcomes in emerging adulthood means:

-Prioritizing lasting connections with caring adults, peers, and community
-Providing an environment conducive to normal and developmentally appropriate social experiences
-Supporting the development of competency through experiential learning
-Increasing social emotional wellbeing through mental health services and sexual health and relationship education

Read the 2022 Research Report!

 

2022 Executive Summary

The Texas Youth Permanency Study followed a cohort of youth in foster care as they entered adulthood. By examining their experiences and trajectories over a three-year period we sought to find new ways of understanding the factors that allow youth in foster care to thrive in young adulthood.

Read the 2022 Executive Summary!

 

The Concept of Normalcy in Child Welfare

Based on findings of the Texas Youth Permanency Study, we developed a Framework for Normalcy in Child Welfare that illustrates the practice and benefits of normalcy while developing awareness of social and cultural values that undergird our understanding of what is normal, developmentally expected, and socially appropriate.

Read more about the Concept of Normalcy in Child Welfare!

 

2021 Research Report

Our interim report from the first year of the Texas Foster Youth Permanency Study centers the voices of youth participants and fills critical knowledge gaps about what helps youth in care thrive in emerging adulthood. Three key themes arose from our interviews and surveys with youth:

- Connections with peers in school contribute to academic success and wellbeing
- Empowering youth starts with active listening
- Healthy relationships conversations are essential

Read the 2021 Research Report!

 

Initial Pilot Study Findings

Pilot Study

The ongoing Texas Youth Permanency Study explores the complexities of permanency with youth currently in the foster care system in Texas. Preliminary findings suggest that:

- Authentic relationships matter most.
- Every child needs to feel normal.
- Authentic relationships and feeling normal foster well-being in adulthood.

Read the 2018 Pilot Study!

 

Our TYPS Sheets

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Caseworkers

As caseworkers, you play a critical role in shaping the life of a youth in foster care. You have considerable […]

Mental Health Professionals

Mental Health Professionals

As a mental health professional, you have a critical role in the foster care system by providing direct care that […]

Judges

Judges

As judges, you play a critical role in shaping the lives of youth. A theme for nearly all participants in […]

Institutions

Institutions serving foster youth

In 2017, we interviewed 30 young adults formerly in Texas foster care for the Texas Youth Permanency Study (TYPS). The […]

birth families

Birth Families

We heard one thing over and over from youth in our study. And while what we heard probably won’t come […]

Foster families

Foster Families

As foster parents, you play a critical role in shaping the lives of youth in foster care. The hard work […]

Adoptive Parents

Adoptive Parents

The formation of a family through adoption is a lifelong journey that is beautifully rewarding but also complex. Although not […]

TYPS Sheet Fan

TYPS Sheets

The TYPS team has put together a series of highlighted recommendations in the form of “TYPS Sheets” for judges, parents, […]