Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

August 2015 edition

B. Trial Independence

Trial Independence, found in Texas Family Code § 263.6015, allows youth to voluntarily exit foster care after their 18th birthday, and then decide to voluntarily return to foster care within six months (or within a 12 month period if authorized by a court order) for additional support. The court retaining jurisdiction allows DFPS to draw down federal dollars to help provide services to youth who exit and later return to care. If a Trial Independence period is ending, and the youth does not wish to return to Extended Foster Care, the Court can still keep the case open, and the Court can maintain jurisdiction up to age 21, upon request by the youth. Tex. Fam. Code § 263.6015.