Foster Care in Texas

Meeting the Lone Star State's Complex Needs

Texas faces one of the nation's most significant foster care challenges. Operating from our Lubbock office, NYAP serves families across the city and surrounding area with the understanding that everything about this state is large-scale, including the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children, youth, and families.

Apply Today

Texas Foster Care by the Numbers

In Texas, over 1,200 youth age out of the system each year, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness and other challenges. The state's diverse geography also means children and youth may be placed far from their home communities, making the need for local foster families even more critical. Children and youth spend an average of 18 months in foster care, with 41% identifying as Latine or Hispanic and 21% identifying as African American. This underscores the importance of having foster families who can provide local, culturally responsive care.

NYAP's approach focuses on building bridges between children and youth, and their foster and primary families, when appropriate. Our hope is that foster parents become natural mentors to primary families, seeking to help support reunification and long-term well-being.

Texas Foster Care Programs

Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) represents a major transformation of the foster care system, designed to improve safety, permanency, and well-being for children and youth while strengthening services within the foster care continuum and reducing the need to seek supports outside the system.

As an Active Full Credential Provider, NYAP delivers services that address the growing need for more intensive support across Lubbock and surrounding communities, including:

Basic Foster Care

Provides safe, temporary homes for children and youth with minimal needs while their families work toward reunification

Short-Term Assessment Support Services

Offers short-term placements that allow time to gather additional information and determine appropriate supports for children and youth who are new to care, returning after an unplanned absence, or experiencing an unexpected placement disruption

Treatment Foster Care

Provides intensive, trauma-responsive therapeutic intervention for children and youth with complex emotional, behavioral, or medical needs who cannot safely remain with their primary families. Services are focused on stabilization and family reunification whenever possible

Mental & Behavioral Health Support Services

A trauma-responsive foster home that meets a child or youth’s daily needs while providing additional support for emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. Foster parents work with clinicians and other providers to help children and youth succeed at home, in school, and in the community.

Kinship Caregiver Support Services

Supports children and youth who cannot safely remain in their home by placing them with relatives or trusted adults, helping maintain family connections while working toward reunification.

Becoming a Texas Foster Parent

Our Texas team provides comprehensive support for prospective foster parents throughout the licensing process:

Initial Contact
Reach out to our office by submitting an inquiry form or contacting your local office

Attend Information Session
Learn about Texas' foster care requirements and NYAP's family-centered philosophy

Finish Pre-Service Training
Gain essential skills and knowledge through comprehensive trauma-informed care education

Home Study Process
Partner with our licensing team to complete Texas’ foster licensing requirements

Texas Licensing
Receive your state foster care license within 45-60 days of initial contact

Welcome Your First Child or Youth
Begin fostering with ongoing guidance and support from your NYAP team

Texas Foster Parent Requirements

Our Texas foster parents represent the state's diverse communities and share a commitment to providing safe, nurturing homes. NYAP welcomes applicants who meet Texas' requirements:

  • At least 21 years old

  • In good physical and mental health

  • Financially stable without relying on foster care reimbursement

  • Can provide adequate living space ensuring each child or youth’s privacy and comfort

  • Able to pass comprehensive background checks for all household members age 14 and older

  • Free from disqualifying history with Child Protective Services

  • Able to pass health and fire safety inspections

  • Committed to completing pre-service training and ongoing education

  • Ready to partner with NYAP's multidisciplinary team

Supporting Texas Foster Families

NYAP Texas provides foster care payments to help families meet the needs of children and youth in their care.

As a NYAP foster parent, you’re never alone. We provide comprehensive case management, ongoing training, regular meetings with your NYAP team, and linkage to needed community resources across our region.

Common Questions About Foster Care in Texas

  • NYAP’s Texas team actively recruits foster families from all communities who can provide local, culturally responsive care that maintains children and youth's connections to their heritage.

  • NYAP provides specialized, trauma-informed training for foster parents caring for children or youth with complex trauma, behavioral challenges, or medical needs, along with ongoing professional support. We make sure our foster parents have what they need for success.

  • Texas has specific space requirements including a bedroom with at least 40 square feet of floor space per child or youth in a room with multiple occupants and at least 80 square feet of floor space for single occupant bedrooms. The state also requires domestic violence report searches and approved fire and health inspections, reflecting Texas' commitment to comprehensive child and youth protection.

Join NYAP's foster care community in Texas and help make a lasting difference in the lives of Lone Star State children, youth, and families.

Apply Today