MAY 24, 2021 — May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and in recognition the Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Pilot Project (BCFES) is hosting an inaugural conference to showcase how individuals can make a difference in the lives of foster youth. BCFES is a county-wide collaboration between UTSA and several child advocates across Bexar County that develops programs and practices to guide students with a history of foster care toward successfully enrolling and completing college.
BCFES is hosting the inaugural ESPY Conference and Award Ceremony from May 25-27. The three-day virtual event will feature presentations, workshops, panel discussions, resources, professional development and networking opportunities.
“Foster Care Awareness Month is an opportunity for individuals who work in the child welfare system to educate the community about the unique needs of youth in foster care and opportunities for changes within the child welfare system,” said Airika Buford, BCFES project director. “This month not only educates the community, but removes some of the misperceptions about what foster care means.”
The conference will feature several guest speakers as well as a one-hour virtual awards ceremony that will honor students, staff, and community stakeholders for their contributions to improving child welfare and the lives of youth with foster care history.
“The ESPY Conference will educate individuals on mental health, physical health, and how to better equip themselves with tools and resources for supporting students who are in foster care or have aged out of it,” Buford said.
Buford added that she hopes those who decide to participate in the inaugural conference can find ways to invest in the success of youth in foster care.
“In child welfare, we always say it takes a village because it truly does. BCFES wouldn't have seen as much success had people not been willing to donate time or support for our young people as they are starting college,” she said. “We want them to take from this experience that the cross system actually works no matter what the population. We can make impactful changes on the community if we're willing to step outside of our silos and work collectively for the common good.”
In addition to the ESPY Conference, BCFES is also gearing up for two new partnerships with Day 1 Bags and San Antonio Threads.
“We have recently established a partnership with Day 1, who will be providing in August 400 duffel bags of various sizes filled with items for our students to start off college on the right track,” Buford said. “With San Antonio Threads, our students can have an opportunity to go in and shop for career-appropriate clothing as part of our Foster Care Readiness Program that is set to launch in late June. We'll have more details available as we get closer.”
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