HHSC Promotes Foster Grandparent Program Through Multimedia Campaign

News Release
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Cecile Erwin Young
HHS Executive Commissioner
Emily Hummel, 512-424-6951

AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is launching a multimedia campaign to increase awareness of its Foster Grandparent Program.

The campaign, which kicks off on May 13, will involve TV commercials, print advertisements, a direct mail campaign and social media posts highlighting the program and encouraging community service.

“We are excited for the opportunity to spread awareness about this wonderful program,” said Emily Dressen, program manager for the Foster Grandparent Program. “We hope this campaign will inspire potential foster grandparents to volunteer their time and efforts to mentor young Texans as they learn and grow.”

The Foster Grandparent Program provides an opportunity for people 55 and older who have limited incomes to mentor children with special and exceptional needs or who are in circumstances that limit their academic, social or emotional development.

Volunteers share their time and talents with the children they mentor, building one-on-one relationships through trust and support. Volunteers receive a monthly, tax-free stipend and serve 15 to 40 hours a week.

The $150,000 media campaign is funded through the program’s grant from AmeriCorps. Along with increased program awareness, the campaign kicks off the busiest volunteer recruitment season for Foster Grandparent Program staff as they prepare for the new school year.

In the 2022-2023 grant year, the program:

  • Placed 252 volunteers at 139 volunteer stations across the state.
  • Served 15,200 children.
  • Logged 284,449 volunteer hours.

For more information, visit the Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program website.

Texans can visit hhs.texas.gov or dial 2-1-1 to learn about programs and services, or connect with HHSC on social media.