Student Advocacy

Contact Card

Melinda Berry
 903-675-6224
 mlberry@tvcc.edu
Brenda Ruvalcaba
 903-675-6288
 Brenda.Ruvalcaba@tvcc.edu

 

Onward at the Valley

an illustration of a person running up a trail on the side of a mountain with text that says Onward at the Valley is here for you

Onward at the Valley supports current and former foster care students, including:

  • Students currently in foster care or extended care.
  • Alumni who aged out of the Texas foster care system.
  • Students adopted or placed in permanent guardianship after age 16.
  • Students who experienced foster care in another state.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, reach out — our team will help you determine eligibility and connect you with campus resources.

Getting Started is Easy!

Complete the Interest Form

Meet With Us

The Onward at the Valley staff looks forward to meeting you! We will confirm eligibility and discuss available support.

Please contact:

Melinda Berry
903-675-6224
mlberry@tvcc.edu

Join the Program

Gain access to one-on-one advocacy, resource connections, and a caring community.

What is a Foster Care Liaison?

Research indicates that while more than 80% of youth in foster care express a desire to attend college, only 2-9% of them actually earn a bachelor’s degree. In response to this, the Texas Education Code was updated in 2015 to mandate the presence of liaisons at all public higher education institutions in Texas. These higher education foster care liaisons play a crucial role in connecting students with the support they need to successfully achieve their academic goals and complete their degrees.

Who is the Foster Care Liaison at TVCC?

Melinda Berry, AVP of Student Advocacy is your liaison. Please call 903-675-6224 or email mlberry@tvcc.edu if you need anything at all.

More Resources

To encourage foster youth currently or formerly under the conservatorship of the DFPS and those adopted from DFPS to pursue a higher education in Texas, this program provides eligible students with free tuition at state-supported colleges or universities. Please visit these websites for more information!

College for all Texans  DFPS Tuition Waiver  Education & Training Voucher (ETV) Program  Education & Training Voucher (ETV) Packet

Need Help?

For help with any of these programs, please contact Melinda Berry and she will guide you through the process! Here are different types of support you can receive:

Campus Supports

  • Cardinal Resource HQ
  • Student Access
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Student Life

State + Community

  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Employment
  • Food Assistance

Other Help

  • Texas DFPS College Resources
  • Supervised Independent Living (SIL)
  • Texas Tuition + Fee Waiver
  • Education + Training Voucher (ETV)