Spark is designed to create a network of support that ensures our students have everything they need to achieve educational success. We want you to focus on staying in school and graduating!
Housed at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing is the proud origin of Spark. In collaboration with Horns Helping Horns, Spark was founded with two primary goals: enhancing the educational achievements of those with lived experience in foster care and ensuring comprehensive support for UT students to facilitate graduation.
Navigating a large university like UT can be daunting for new students. Spark steps in to bridge potential gaps, offering a sense of community and personalized aid. Our team, alongside local advocates, and Campus Champions, undergoes specialized training to adeptly meet the unique needs of foster care alumni. Spark also actively participates in and champions Education Reach for Texans, a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to removing educational barriers for foster care alumni in higher education across Texas. This includes clarifying financial support options like tuition waivers and foster care benefits. We endorse vital resources like the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project, Texas Youth Connection, and College for all Texans.
For any youth needing guidance, remember that every public college in Texas provides a foster care liaison for support. And for those interested in this cause, join us by attending our annual conference.
To connect with liaisons across various campuses, we invite students, parents, and advocates to access our comprehensive List of Designated Liaisons!
