The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) gives special attention to young people who are in foster care or who used to be in foster care.
This web page has information to help Boards, Foster Youth Transition Centers and other partners who support these young people in foster care. Here you will find resources and information to help them succeed. The goal is to help foster youth achieve financial stability and continue to be financially secure.
Upcoming Foster Care Events
2026 Foster Youth Conference
Contact info: twc_fyconference@twc.texas.gov
TWC Announces Call for Speakers for the 2026 Annual Foster Youth Conference
We are pleased to announce the official Call for Speakers for our upcoming three-day Foster Youth Conference to be held in Allen, Texas, the week of July 20, 2026!
Our conference is dedicated to empowering key personnel and professionals by providing valuable insights, resources, and networking opportunities. We are seeking dynamic presentations, workshops, and panels that align with our mission and address the unique needs and strengths of the foster care community.
We invite proposals on topics including, but not limited to:
- Youth Voice & Adult Partnership—Focuses on empowering youth, amplifying their lived experiences, and building authentic, collaborative adult-youth partnerships to drive system change
- Connecting to Community Services—Navigating and accessing essential local, regional, and specialized community resources, including housing, mental health, employment, and educational support systems that are essential for youth success
- Policy Regulations and Requirements—Critical updates on current legislation, compliance mandates, operational regulations, and best practices governing foster care services and youth advocacy
- Foster Care to Independence—Equipping youth and frontline staff with the practical skills (financial literacy, education planning, employment) necessary for successful transition to adulthood
- Professional Development for Foster Care Stakeholders—Advanced training and skills-building for professionals (caseworkers, practitioners, staff) on topics like trauma-informed care, foster care system overview, child development, cultural competency, motivational interviewing, conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques, career exploration and counseling techniques for this population, and ethical considerations
Submission Guidelines & Deadline
To submit your proposal, please complete the official Speaker Proposal Form.
The deadline for all submissions is Tuesday, November 21, 2025.
We look forward to reviewing your invigorating proposals and collaborating to make next year’s conference a success. If you have any questions regarding the submission process, please email: twc_fyconference@twc.texas.gov.
—The Conference Planning Team
What We Do
Information
Grants & Funding
Services
Foster Youth Transition Centers help foster youth, youth experiencing homelessness, or other at-risk youth, ages 16 to 25.
Events
2025 Foster Youth Conference
The 2025 Annual TWC Foster Youth Conference (FYC) brought together several foster youth stakeholders with the primary objective of delivering comprehensive training and support to Foster Youth Transition Centers and various stakeholders vested in the welfare of the foster youth community. The 2025 FYC provided stakeholders with an opportunity to strategically utilize resources, developing and enhancing their capacity for service delivery to youth affected by foster care. Our overarching objective was to increase the employment opportunities within the foster youth domain. At the 2025 FYC, stakeholders were provided the most up-to-date data, trends and services available to foster youth.
Photos
Foster Youth Conference in Austin | July 22–24
Videos:
Foster Youth Conference Highlights Reel 2025
Foster Youth Conference Interviews 2025