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Office for Advocacy & Violence Prevention Division of Academic Affairs

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  • Former Foster Youth
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Contact Us

Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention (OAVP)
1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539 EMASS 3.160 Phone: (956) 665-8287
2168 E. Jackson St. Brownsville TX 78520 BNOBL 106 Phone 956 882-8282
Email: oavp@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-8287
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Other Foster Youth Resources

Education

  • Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV)
    • ETV assists with education and training needs for youth and young adults.
    • ETV serves eligible students ages 16-23 by providing financial assistance of $5,000 a year to attend a Texas college or a vocational program.
    • What can ETV pay for?
      • Rent and utilities
      • Room and board costs/food
      • Tuition/fees
      • Child care
      • Tutoring
      • Transportation
      • And more
    • Application link available through: www.TexasETV.com
    • For questions and concerns, call the hotline at 1-877-268-4063 

Food Banks

  • Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley
    • 724 N Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577
    • (956) 682-8101
  • First Baptist Church
    • 1033 E Bowie Ave, Alamo, TX 78516
    • (956) 787-1824
  • Food For Hunger WME
    • 1115 S. Maryland St, Alton, TX 78573
    • (956) 585-9966
  • Open Hands Pantry
    • 301 S 17th St, Donna, TX 78537
    • (956) 461-6920
  • Our Lady Queen of Angels
    • 916 Leo Ave, La Joya, TX 78560
    • (956) 874-9590

Health Care

  • Medicaid for Former Foster Youth and STAR Health Services 
    • The Foster Care Children program provides healthcare coverage through the age of 25 to young adults who age out of Texas foster care. 
      • STAR Health:young adults between 18 - 20
      • Medicaid through the STAR Plan:young adults between 21- 25
    • Questions about STAR Health and STAR Health plans? Call 1-800-964-2777 or call 2-1-1
    • Applications available at www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Transitional_Living/medical_benefits.asp

Health Clinics

  • Access Esperanza Clinic
    • Free to low cost
    • Offers a variety of services
    • For more information: www.accessclinics.org/services
    • Three locations:
      • 302 S Veterans Blv, Edinburg, TX 78539
      • 916 E Hackberry Ave, Suite B McAllen, TX 78501
      • 901 James St, Weslaco, TX 78596
  • UTRGV Student Health Center
    • Free consultations and low prices on medication
    • Two locations:
      • Brownsville:
        • 2164 E Jackson St, Brownsville, TX 78520
        • (956) 882-7792
      • Edinburg:
        • 613 N Sugar Rd, Edinburg, TX 78541
        • (956) 665-2511
  • Valley Aids Counil
    • 300 S 2nd St #101, McAllen, TX 78501
    • Phone numbers:
      • Brownsville: (956)541-2600
      • Harlingen: (956) 428-2653
      • McAllen: (956) 668-1155
    • For more information: www.valleyaids.org/

Mental Health and Support Groups

  • Abundant Grace Counseling
    • Services: stress management, depression, anxiety, grief therapy, anger management, addictions, eating disorders, and more
    • Nonspiritual-based counseling available
    • 2110 S. McColl Road Edinburg, TX 78539
    • (956) 381-4394
    • For more information: agcc.tv/counseling-center

  • Hope Family Health Center
    • Offers free mental health services
    • Nonspiritual-based counseling available
    • 2332 Jordan Rd, McAllen TX 78503
    • (956) 994-3319
    • For more information: www.hopefamilyhealthcenter.org/

  • Tropical Texas Behavioral Health
    • Offers a variety of mental health services
    • Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, and Weslaco
    • For more information: www.ttbh.org/tropical-texas-behavioral-health-locations
UTRGV Training Clinic
  • Offers free mental health services to the community.
  • Two locations:
    • Brownsville
      • 2164 E Jackson St, Brownsville, TX 78520
      • (956) 882-7792
    • Edinburg
      • 1201 W University Dr. Edinburg, TX 78539
        (Building EEDUC 1.270)
      • (956) 665-2511

Vocational Resources

  • BCFS Texas Workforce Foster Youth Transition Center
    • 211 N 15th St, McAllen TX 78501
    • (956) 874- 9590

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    • Website: www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
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