Youth Residential Care
Connections provides a temporary home for children who have been removed from their home or who are in between foster placements, as well as for kids who have run away or who are experiencing homelessness.
Sometimes a child’s home isn’t safe and they have nowhere else to go. Others might find themselves staying on friends’ couches, sleeping at parks, or living out of cars. Connections offers a safe place with access to resources to help kids find stability.
With staff on site 24/7 and a team of residential counselors to set up individualized plans of care for each child, kids get their basic needs met, receive medical, dental, and mental health care, and begin to take the steps to cope with trauma and heal.
Residential Program
Admission
For Youth in Foster Care
A child’s DFPS caseworker or Child Placing Unit must request emergency placement at Connections. Authorized personnel can send the State of Texas Common Application to the agency’s intake email.
For Runaway and Homeless Youth
If you or someone you know under age 18 is experiencing homelessness or is at risk of homelessness, complete the form to request temporary shelter placement.
Transitional Living
Teens need support to grow into independent, thriving adults. Teens in foster care often lack the mentors, resources, and one-on-one support necessary to navigate this stage of life; Connections’ transitional living services are designed to support older youth in foster care and in extended foster care (15-22) as they prepare to live on their own.
Support
Through trauma-informed care and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) staff and counselors help youth heal from trauma and plan for their futures.
Education
A Youth Success Coach helps monitor academic performance and guides youth in educational planning and employment readiness.
Life Skills
A youth’s case management team helps ensure youth have the basic life skills necessary to live on their own. Skills include money management; health and hygiene; meal planning, meal prep, grocery shopping, and cooking; problem-solving; stress management; and establishing short- and long-term goals.
Transitional Living Program
Admission
Transitional Living applicants must:
- Be aged 15-22 and in the foster care system.
- Be enrolled in (or have completed) high school, a GED course, vocational program, college, university, or technical school.
- Seek, obtain, or continue employment (if not enrolled in an educational program).
- Participate in programs on education, vocational training, employment, and volunteer outreach.
- Be capable of acquiring the skills necessary to become economically self-sufficient.
- Live cooperatively and responsibly with other residents in the program.
A youth’s DFPS caseworker or Child Placing Unit must initiate Transitional Living admission. Authorized personnel should email the State of Texas Common Application and psychological evaluation to Connections.
A Look Inside
Frequently Asked Questions
From kids, families, and caseworkers about Connections’ residential program.
Will I have to share a room?
Most kids will share a room with one other resident. We make room assignments carefully based on age, needs, and compatibility to support your safety and comfort.
How long can I stay at Connections?
The length of your stay depends on the program. Emergency stays are typically short-term, while our Transitional Living Program offers longer-term support focused on building independence.
Can I leave whenever I want?
You are not allowed to leave campus without staff approval in order to ensure your safety. Staff always support school, work, visits, and approved outings with proper planning.
Will I be able to see my family?
Yes, when appropriate. Contact with your family is encouraged and coordinated with caseworkers based on each child’s individual plan.
Do I have to go to school?
Yes, education is required through your high school graduation or the completion of a GED program. You will either attend school or participate in an approved educational program.
Can I have a job?
Yes! Staff encourage employment, especially in our Transitional Living Program, and we provide support with job readiness and career planning.
What should I bring with me?
You can bring clothing, hygiene items, a few items of comfort, and important documents (like your birth certificate, social security card, and/or ID) if they’re available to you. If you don’t have these things, we will ensure you get the things you need.
Can I keep my phone?
Yes. Phone use is accepted and is guided by safety and supervision expectations. Staff will review specific guidelines upon admission.
What are the expectations in the program?
We focus on safety, respect for ourselves and others, daily routines, and participation in program services. We’ll go over all expectations during intake.
What kind of support will I receive?
We provide case management, which includes working with you to create a personalized care plan and may also include setting up appointments and getting you enrolled in school. We’ll help you strengthen age-appropriate life skills, provide emotional support, and and facilitate access to counseling and community resources that will help you build independence.