The Foster Angels of Central Texas (FACT) Scholars program provides financial assistance, relational support, mentorship, and career guidance to young people who have experienced foster care. To inform potential program expansion, the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing conducted a mixed-methods evaluation, including interviews and a survey completed by 44 scholars. The evaluation examined program effectiveness, clarified core components, and developed a sustainable tool for tracking outcomes over time.
Findings show that scholars view FACT as a dependable and life-changing source of support. Participants reported reduced financial stress, stronger academic focus, and increased stability due to timely, flexible financial assistance. Relational support—particularly ongoing relationships with program staff and peers—emerged as a central driver of scholars’ sense of belonging and success. Early evidence also indicates a growing need for enhanced mentorship and career-readiness support as the program continues to evolve.
Overall, the evaluation findings suggest that FACT offers meaningful benefits for students who have experienced foster care.
Key Recommendations
- Increase staffing to expand program capacity
- Reframe program impact using revised logic model
- Strengthen relational supports
- Deepen professional and life-skills development
- Develop an alumni engagement component
- Use evaluation tools for continuous learning
Read The Full Report & Key Findings Brief
Foster Angels of Central Texas (FACT) Scholars Evaluation Report
Foster Angels of Central Texas (FACT) Scholars Evaluation Key Findings Brief
