To every young person who applied and every partner who helped spread the word — thank you. You made this possible.
The TX MicroCash Grant just wrapped its first cycle in Texas Region 7, and we're sharing what we learned. Swipe through. ↓
Housing was the #1 need. Transportation and employment followed.
We responded with direct cash support and customized resources matched to what each person said they needed most. And we're documenting everything so the next cycle works even better.
More to come.
Closing out some January highlights, @sixtocancel and the Think of Us team met with Paris Hilton, Alex J. Adams, and their teams in Washington.
While Paris Hilton was in D.C. primarily to advance the DEFIANCE Act, the conversation focused on what comes next after policy wins — implementation, accountability, and follow-through. Grounded in lived experience and federal leadership, the discussion centered on ensuring the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act translates into real safeguards, coordinated federal action, and meaningful oversight of residential settings. The meeting underscored a shared commitment to moving beyond symbolic reform toward systems that are transparent, trauma-informed, and worthy of the trust young people and families are asked to place in them.
Honored to welcome a delegation of Ukrainian policymakers and practitioners to Think of Us to exchange lessons on foster care, kinship care, and support for transition-age youth. The delegation included leaders whose work has supported more than 30,000 Ukrainians impacted by the conflict — over half of them children.
Grateful to our partners at KidSave and the Open World program for convening this dialogue and creating the opportunity for cross-border learning grounded in lived experience and practical policy insight.
You know what works — because you’ve lived it.
This one-time $500 micro-cash grant offers flexible cash support and a chance to share what kind of help actually makes a difference for young people transitioning out of foster care in Texas.
Your voice matters.
Your experience matters.
If you’re a current or former foster youth, ages 18–26, living in Texas Region 7, you can apply now.
Deadline: January 30, 2026 at 12pm CST
🔗 Apply through the link in bio
Eligible applicants will be selected to receive the grant. Not all applicants will be selected.
Eligible Texas counties Include: Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Coryell, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Grimes, Hamilton, Hays, Hill, Lampasas, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Madison, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Robertson, San Saba, Travis, Washington, Williamson.
If you’re a current or former foster youth, ages 18–26, living in Texas Region 7, you can apply for a chance to receive a one-time $500 micro-cash grant.
Use it however you need — rent, transportation, school, bills, or everyday essentials. No restrictions, no payback.
It’s also a chance to share your experiences and help improve foster care supports across Texas.
🗓 Deadline: January 30, 2026 at 12pm CST
📍 Eligible counties are listed in the application, they include Greater Austin and the surrounding area.
🔗 Link in bio to apply
Questions? [email protected]
#TexasFosterYouth #CashSupport #YouthSupport #FosterCareResources #TransitionAgedYouth
Building stronger bridges for youth and families in Texas.
Our team had the opportunity to meet with the CBC7 Steering Committee in Austin to deepen relationships and introduce TOU’s work across Region 7. The conversation was full of curiosity, alignment, and hope for what we can create together.
Grateful to partner with leaders across the region as we continue shaping a more responsive and community-based approach to child and family well being.
As CEO of @thinkof_us , @sixtocancel champions #kinship care, advocating for youth in foster care to be placed with relatives or in family-based settings. Think of Us, led by those with firsthand foster care experience, is a pioneering lab creating transformative policies and programs to uplift youth and families in the child welfare system.
We're excited to hear his session at the 2024 Hilton Humanitarian Symposium and Prize Ceremony! Register to join @HiltonFoundation for the #HiltonPrize livestream on Oct. 9 at tinyurl.com/hiltonprize2024
Recently, the House Committee on Ways and Means introduced the Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act. The bill would reauthorize and reform title IV-B programs and lay the groundwork for the transformational change that is needed in child welfare.
Think of Us applauds the House Committee on Ways and Means, particularly Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) and Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Chairman Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Ranking Member Danny K. Davis (D-IL) of the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare for their work on this bill. We have been proud to partner with the Committee to inform and shape several of these provisions and are proud to endorse the bill. Swipe left to see our full statement.
Breaking News: Think of Us is welcoming Robert L. Matthews as our new chief program officer on July 15th.
Robert's extensive experience, including as the Acting Director of @dccfsa , combined with his passion for centering lived experience perspectives, will propel our mission forward. As CPO, he will unify our initiatives to drive systemic reforms and better outcomes for youth and families.
"I'm honored to join the Think of Us team and work alongside inspiring changemakers who are putting the lived experience of those impacted by child welfare at the forefront of driving systemic transformation," Robert shared. "This role allows me to build upon my prior work in expanding kinship care, strengthening prevention services, and improving outcomes for families and youth."
Leave a 👋 to welcome him to the team!
Read More - Link in BIO
Today, we stood beside brave lived experts for a press conference on the shocking abuse and neglect in for-profit youth residential treatment facilities. The Senate’s recent investigation highlights the urgent need for higher standards and stronger oversight. It's time to prioritize community-based care and invest in robust in-home mental health and behavioral health services and provide the training, financial assistance, and ongoing support that relatives need to care for the children in their extended families.
Last month, we held our first in-person all staff retreat in sunny Arizona! ☀️🏜️ During our time together, we dug into how centering lived experience is the key to shifting the child welfare system towards one that provides the support and resources families need to heal, develop, and thrive.
In just three years, we’ve grown into a multidisciplinary team that includes expertise in research, policy, community engagement, tech, government affairs, data science, direct service, and more.
And we’re growing! Join our thoughtful, impact-focused team via the link in our bio!
