9 June 2015
Yet another successful convening is behind us. Everyone had a good time and even the weather cooperated. Several presentations have been posted on our Convening Presentations page and we will continue to post more as they arrive.

8 May 2015
Online registration for the 6th Annual Convening has been extended through May 22nd. See our registration site for details.

26 March 2015
We have updated the information related to suggested hotels for the 6th Annual Convening. See our registration site for details.

12 March 2015
Each year, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board creates a report detailing the number of students enrolled at Texas Colleges and Universities who are using the state tuition waiver. Once again, Shannon Ramsey has provided us a copy to share with youth advocates. Access the latest report from the Research section of our online resources.

23 February 2015
Registration for the 6th Annual Education Reach for Texans Convening opens. General registration is $75 but students can register for $35. Each registration provides full-access to the two-day event, two breakfasts, two lunches, and an evening reception. Register now on our Convening page.

6 February 2015
Education Reach for Texans announces that registration for the 6th Annual Convening, Fostering Success: Partnering Pathways, will open on Monday, 23 February. Online registration for this information packed, 2-day event will cost $75 and includes admission to all sessions on both days, continental breakfast and a complete lunch each day, plus a reception on the first day. In addition, CEUs will be provided at no cost.

8 August 2016
On September 22, 2016, Education Reach for Texans is taking part in the North Texas Giving Day. Please show your support for our organization by going to the North Texas Giving Day Website and donating to our cause. Your donation can go even further if you would like to offer a challenge fund. Email Sheila Bustillos at admin@er4t.org if you would like to participate in challenge fund giving. We need your support!

What Was New

Archived items from our What's New column.

9 December 2014
Researchers have released the first in a series of reports on a longitudinal study evaluating the impact of the California Fostering Connections to Success Act on outcomes during the transition to adulthood for foster youth.

11 November 2014
Education Reach for Texans recognized as a Bronze Participant on the GuideStar Exchange.

31 October 2014
Education Reach for Texans announces the 6th Annual Convening to be held June 2 & 3, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. Additional details on the Convening page.

11 July 2014
Back in May, the US Department of Education issued guidance on application of FERPA for students in foster care noting changes resulting from the Uninterrupted Scholars Act requiring greater access by caseworkers and courts. In addition, the Department launched a web page for students from foster care.

7 July 2014
American Association of Community Colleges publishes article on colleges reaching out to former foster youth students. Includes student profile, best practices, and mention of various programs around the country, including Education Reach for Texans.

2 July 2014
Education Reach for Texans receives notification from the IRS confirming our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Our status is retroactive to our incorporation date of 18 June 2013.

20 June 2014
THECB report on usage of the state tuition waiver at Texas colleges and universities (courtesy of Shannon Ramsey).

19 June 2014
More press coverage, this time in the Dallas Observer for UNT's PUSH student organization and their president, Jackie Davis. 

18 June 2014
Education Reach for Texans and several foster care alumni appear in well-researched articles in the Texas Tribune. One article focuses on FCA postsecondary education benefits and the second on six specific alumni.

5 June 2014
The wonderful Dewy Brooks has posted his photos from the 5th Annual Convening. Check out our History page and click the photo to visit Dewy's gallery.

2 June 2014
Both our 2014 Youth Gathering and 5th Annual Convening were a great success last week. We're still in the process for reviewing our registration and posting presentations from the events. If you were not able to attend or you were there and want to review a presentation, see our Convening Presentations page.

30 May 2014
On the day of the 5th Annual Convening, Education Reach for Texans announces that next year's convening will be hosted by Dallas County Community College District in June 2015. See the Convening page for regular updates about the 6th Annual Convening.

27 May 2014
The Education Reach for Texans Board Advisory Board met on Tuesday, 27 May. This was the last of our weekly pre-convening meetings. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from the call.

20 May 2014
The Education Reach for Texans Board Advisory Board met on Tuesday, 20 May. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from the call.

2 May 2014
To ensure maximum participation by current and former foster youth, Education Reach for Texans has decided to waive the registration fee for the 2014 Youth Gathering. Youth may now register and attend the event for free. Many thanks to our host, Austin Community College, for providing facilities and lunch for the attendees. All registrations through April will be refunded. Youth who desiring to attend the event can register here.

8 April 2014
UT El Paso informs us of their Foster Homeless Adopted Resources (FHAR) program. We have added them to our growing list of postsecondary programs for foster alumni in our resources.

20 March 2014
We finalize and publish details on blocked hotel rooms for the 5th Annual Convening. 

10 March 2014
Registration for our 5th Annual Convening opens! 

5 March 2014
The Education Reach for Texans Board of Directors met on Wednesday, 5 March. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from the call.

28 February 2014
The Education Reach for Texans Board of Directors will meet Wednesday, 5 March 2014. The following week, the Advisory Board will have it's monthly meeting on Tuesday, 11 March 2014. Also, we have adopted a new logo reflecting our new name (see the top of this page).

11 February 2014
The Education Reach for Texans Advisory Board met on Tuesday, 11 February. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from the call.

16 January 2014
The Education Reach for Texans Advisory Board met on Tuesday, 14 January. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from the call.

10 December 2013
The Education Reach for Texans Advisory Board met today. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from and a recording of the call.

18 November 2013
The Education Reach for Texans Advisory Board met last week. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from and a recording of the call.

11 September 2013
Texas Education Agency (TEA) office of Foster Care & Student Success publishes their excellent and thorough resource guide. The guide and additional resources available on the Foster Care & Student Success website.

10 September 2013
The Education Reach for Texans Advisory Board met today. Please see the Meetings Minutes page for notes from and a recording of the call.

15 August 2013
Registration for the California College Pathways Blueprint for Success Conference has opened. While the one-day conference maintains a California focus, many of the topics are relevant to others interested in promoting foster care alumni success in postsecondary education. Additionally, a pre-conference session on 22 October will gather together professionals from across the country to discuss efforts occurring in their states.

13 August 2013
Our most recent Advisory Board meeting was held today at 1:00pm. Minutes and a recording of the meeting are available on the Advisory Board Meetings page.

1 August 2013
The next Advisory Board meeting for Education Reach for Texans will be on Tuesday, 13 August 2013 at 1:00pm Central time. Advisory Board members will receive meeting details and an agenda prior to the meeting. If you have questions, please contact Clint using the contact buttons at the top of the page. Minutes from the last meeting are available on the Advisory Board Meetings page.

23 July 2013
The US Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) dated 3 July 2013 confirming that Students who are enrolled in the DFPS Extended Foster Care program (ages 18-21 year olds), where extended foster care payments are paid under the authority of Title IV-E-Part E of the Social Security Act are excluded from income for purposes of the calculation of a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and thus is NOT reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1 July 2013
Education Reach for Texans became incorporated in 2013 to serve as the primary organizer of the Texas Reach Convenings. Prior to the formation of Education Reach for Texans, those involved in putting on the convenings relied on several other organizations for administrative and fiscal services.

Establishing a non-profit corporate entity is a process and one which we will be working on throughout this year. Currently, we are preparing our application for an IRS 501(c)(3) designation.