Youth and Young Adults

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Being young and on your own, or not safe at home, is so hard. You're not in trouble for reaching out, and you don't have to figure it all out by yourself. There are people in Texas who help young people just like you, every day.

Here is the easy first step: if you need a safe place or someone to talk to, call 1.800.RUNAWAY (800.786.2929). It's at no cost, private and open 24/7. You can also chat at 1800runaway.org.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Where can I go if I can't stay at home?

The Texas Youth Helpline is a great place to start. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) says it gives at no cost and confidential help to youth and families in crisis, and it is open 24/7.

Call or text 800.989.6884, or chat on its website.

• DFPS says you don't have to share your name or address when you call, text or chat.
• It says the helpline is not a reporting hotline and is not part of law enforcement.
• 1.800.RUNAWAY can also help you find a youth shelter near you.
• Youth shelters and programs near you are in the county list later in this guide.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://dfps.texas.gov/youth-helpline/

National Safe Place runs this no cost text service across the country.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.nationalsafeplace.org/txt-4-help

BUNKLY TIP

You're not in trouble

Calling a youth hotline doesn't mean you're in trouble. They're there to listen and help you stay safe. You did a smart thing by reaching out!

What if I aged out of foster care?

DFPS runs Transitional Living Services for young people 16 to 21, or up to 22, who are in foster care, were in foster care, or are leaving care. DFPS lists these options:

• Extended Foster Care, up to age 22 to finish high school, or up to age 21 to finish college or job training, work at least 80 hours a month, or attend a program to remove barriers to work. Young adults with a disability that keeps them from school or work goals can also qualify.
• A Trial Independence Period for young adults after they age out at 18.
• Returning to Extended Foster Care to finish school or job goals.
• A Supervised Independent Living program, so you can live on your own while in Extended Foster Care.

Ask your caseworker, or your regional PAL staff, how to stay in or return to care.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Transitional_Living/default.asp

Where you start doesn't decide where you end up. You've got a whole future ahead of you, friend.

From the Bunklow team

What is PAL, and what can it help with?

PAL stands for Preparation for Adult Living. DFPS says PAL helps youth in foster care get ready for adult life, with life skills training and support services.

• DFPS says youth 16 and older in substitute care who are likely to stay in care until at least 18 get PAL services, and regions may serve youth 14 and older with an open case if funding allows.
• PAL staff or contractors do a readiness check around your 16th birthday and use it to make a plan.
• A transitional living allowance of up to $1,000, paid no more than $500 a month, may be available based on funding. DFPS says you must have been in DFPS paid foster or other residential care in the 24 months before starting it.
• Aftercare room and board help, up to $500 a month with a total cap of $3,000, may be available based on need for young adults 18 to 21.
• DFPS says all payments must be made by your 21st birthday, and certain guidelines must be met.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/child_protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Preparation_For_Adult_Living/

To find your regional Transitional Living staff, DFPS has a contact list at https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Transitional_Living/default.asp

Can I go to college at no cost if I was in foster care?

Maybe. DFPS says the State College Tuition Waiver waives tuition and fees at state supported colleges and universities for youth who are or were in DFPS conservatorship, and for some youth adopted from DFPS.

• DFPS says you may qualify if you were in DFPS conservatorship on certain days, such as the day you graduated from high school or got a GED, or the day you were adopted, if that was on or after September 1, 2009.
• DFPS says you must enroll in a state supported college or university before your 27th birthday.
• State PAL staff or Adoption Eligibility Assistance staff give you a signed tuition waiver letter to take to the registrar's office.
• You don't have to be in PAL to qualify for the waiver.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Education/state_college_tuition_waiver.asp

Can I get money for books and other school costs?

You may. DFPS says the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program gives eligible students ages 16 up to 23 up to $5,000 a year for college or job training programs.

• DFPS says you may qualify if you are at least 16 and in DFPS foster care or Extended Foster Care, aged out of DFPS foster care and are under 23, or were adopted from DFPS foster care after turning 16 and are under 23.
• You generally need a high school diploma or GED and must be enrolled in at least 6 semester hours, or 3 in dual credit or summer classes.
• DFPS says ETV can pay costs set by your school, which may include books, a computer, transportation and tutoring.
• You can get ETV for no more than 5 years.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Education/ETV.asp

Can I stay in school if I don't have a stable home?

Yes. Students without stable housing can get help to stay in school, and every school district has a homeless education liaison to help.

Ask your school counselor or front office for the district's homeless liaison.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://nche.ed.gov/mckinney-vento/

Where can I find a job or training?

• Job Corps, ages 16 to 24. Job Corps says it is a no cost career training and education program for young adults with low incomes, with housing and meals while you train. Call 800.733.5627.
• Workforce Solutions offices. Texas has local Workforce Solutions boards that help with jobs and training. See Guide 6 for your county.
• Your library. No cost computers, WiFi and often help with resumes.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.jobcorps.gov/

Who can I talk to if I'm struggling?

• 988. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time.
• The Trevor Project. No cost, private support 24/7 for LGBTQ+ young people, by call, text or chat at thetrevorproject.org.
• The Texas Youth Helpline. Call or text 800.989.6884, even if you just need to talk.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

BUNKLY TIP

Save the numbers

Take a screenshot of the key numbers in this guide so you have them even without data. Easy peasy!

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Texas

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Harris County (Houston)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Tarrant County (Fort Worth)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bexar County (San Antonio)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Travis County (Austin)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

BUNKLY TIP

Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. I believe in you. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 16, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Affordable living. Simplified

Download the PDF

Last updated October 16, 2026