PAL Conference Aims To Provide College Prep Info To At-Risk Teens

The youth will also participate in leadership sessions, problem-solving exercises, educational games for managing finances, a rock wall team-building activity…

SAN MARCOS – The Center for P-16 Initiatives at Texas State University, in collaboration with the Texas School Safety Center and Rural Talent Search, will host the Teen Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Regional Conference July 24-25.

The annual conference prepares high-school-age foster children in Central Texas to successfully enter post-secondary education upon high school graduation.

Conference participants experience college life by staying overnight in a residence hall, eating at an on-campus dining hall, exercising at the recreation center and visiting various academic departments while attending sessions discussing academics, financial aid, admissions standards, foster care benefits, college expense management, retention support and career counseling.

The youth will also participate in leadership sessions, problem-solving exercises, educational games for managing finances, a rock wall team-building activity and attend a panel discussion about student life with current college students.

Foster care alumni now attending Texas State and participating in the Foster Care Alumni Creating Educational Success (FACES) initiative will advise the high school students on how to successfully navigate their transition to college.

For more information, contact the Center for P-16 Initiatives at centerforp16@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-8192.

About the Center for P-16 Initiatives

The mission of the Center for P-16 Initiatives at Texas State University is to improve college readiness and increase the level of educational attainment for underserved students in Central Texas through research, educational partnerships and programs.