Who Can Verify Eligibility

The following persons verify a youth’s eligibility for the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program by completing Form 1016 Verifying Eligibility for the Education and Training Voucher Program [sic, broken link]PDF Document:

• DFPS regional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff.
• DFPS State office Transitional Living Services staff.
• DFPS State office Federal or State support staff—only if the youth was in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD).
• The youth’s tribal representatives, if appropriate.           

Who Can Sign Form 1016

The following persons are authorized to sign Form 1016 for youth and young adults who were not adopted:

• DFPS State office Transitional Living Services staff.
• Regional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) supervisor level or higher.
• DFPS State office Federal or State support staff (only if the youth was in the custody of TJJD).

The following persons are authorized to sign Form 1016 for youth and young adults who were adopted based on the following criteria:

• The ETV department will email a DFPS State office Adoption Assistance program specialist to confirm if students who were adopted are eligible or not eligible.
• Regional Adoption Assistance eligibility specialists must not complete or sign the form but refer youth to the ETV department phone number or website on the Adoption Assistance or Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) agreements to apply for ETV benefits.

Tribal Students

A tribal representative must verify eligibility for tribal students. A student may be eligible for the ETV program if:

• The student’s tribe chooses to participate in the ETV program.
• The student meets all ETV requirements and meets any tribal requirements for the ETV program.

Assistance with the ETV Application

Upon the student’s request, the following persons may assist the student in completing an ETV application and collecting supporting documents to submit with the application:

• The caseworker
• Other CPS staff or Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) equivalent
• Regional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff
• PAL contractors
• ETV staff

Students who were adopted after age 16 may receive assistance from Transitional Living Services staff.

To promote independence, staff must encourage students to complete the ETV application themselves as much as possible.