Welcome to Gaye Vopat, our new Texas Foster Youth Network Project Director!

We recently caught up with Gaye Vopat, to learn more about her. Gaye is joining TXICFW as Project Director supporting our Texas Youth Foster Network. We are so excited to work with them!

Gaye has been recognized both statewide and nationally for her work with older youth and young adults. Gaye was honored in 2025 with the first Pioneer Award by the DFPS Transitional Living Services team for being a guiding light, changing countless lives with care, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the youth and young adults she serves.

Hi Gaye! Tell us a little bit about  your past work.

I carry 33 years of experience and historical knowledge working at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to my role at the institute. Most of those years were working in leadership roles in the field and state office providing programs and services for youth and young adults who are or were in foster care to help them with their successful transition to adulthood.

What excites you or interests you most about the work you do?

Working with youth with lived foster care experience to create a resource that will be helpful to them. I want to honor “nothing about us without us” in all the work we do.

What is something you hope to achieve in your career?

With the support and input of my team, the community and youth with lived foster care experience, a statewide center will be established to connect youth with lived foster care experience to needed workforce, education, and other supports to help them with their successful transition to adulthood.

I hope to implement and grow the Texas Foster Youth Network so youth with lived foster care experience will find it to be a helpful and useful resource.

What are some of your personal hobbies?

I enjoy the outdoors, swimming, fashion, and travel to the beach. I find joy in helping others realize their full potential.

To learn more about Gaye, visit her staff profile.