Spark is UT Austin’s support program for students with lived experience in foster care. Founded by faculty and staff in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Spark is led by a full-time coordinator who also has personal experience in foster care.
From the moment students are admitted, the coordinator provides tailored support—meeting regularly, hosting networking events, offering emergency case management, and advocating for access to foster care benefits.
Spark also partners closely with UT Austin teams and community agencies, including Education Reach for Texans, the Supreme Court’s Children’s Commission, and the Department of Family and Protective Services, to ensure students can navigate university and state systems with confidence.
Why It Matters
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Is A Proud Supporter Of The UT Austin Spark Program!
Because...
Turning 18 should open doors—but for too many foster youth, it means stepping into adulthood alone. No family to call. No safe place to stay. No clear path forward.
In Central Texas, over 4,000 children and youth are in foster care, and many will eventually face this harsh reality. Each year, 150–200 in Austin age out of the system, often without housing, financial security, or the skills to navigate independence.
At SBYF, we refuse to let them face this future alone. We bridge the gap between foster care and adulthood—offering stable housing, smart money skills, career development, and life coaching that break cycles of instability and build pathways to success.
No young person should have to transition into adulthood without a support system. Together, we can ensure they don’t just survive—but thrive.
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