People Over Policy
Policy Is Personal When People Matter, If It's Not (Person)al Then What Is It
Our Core Initiatives
Empowering change for a brighter tomorrow
Foster Care Transition
Support stronger enforcement and funding for programs under HB 391 (2025) to extend Medicaid coverage, mentoring, and access for youth up to age 26. Advocate for state-level metrics tracking long-term success rather than discharge completion.
Education Equity
Collaborate with TEA's Foster Care & Student Success initiative to expand trauma-informed teacher training, reduce school transfer, and secure data-sharing agreements between TEA and DFPS to integrate post-care outcome reporting.
Mental Health & Trauma Recovery
We aim to push for pilot funding of community-based therapeutic centers attached to regional ESCs (Education Service Centers).Position these centers as early-intervention models preventing juvenile-justice pipeline entry.
Accountability & Oversight
We are advocating for an independent Inter-agency Implementation Council overseeing coordination between TEA, DFPS, and HHSC, ensuring budget appropriations align with outcome-based reporting.
Because People Matter
People Over Profit
At People Matter Non-profit, we are committed to making a difference in the foster care community, driven by the passion and expertise of founders Brady and Misty Cottle. With a combined experience of more than two decades in this field, they approach their mission with empathy and insight. They firmly believe that, 'No one statistic or label is bigger than one's humanity,' and this philosophy shapes our advocacy and support initiatives. Join us in our effort to elevate voices, share stories, and remind everyone of the shared dignity we all possess.
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+1,200
Youth Age Out
of Foster care each year
40%
Experience
homelessness within two years
3%
Of Former Foster Youth
earn a college degree by age 25
33%
Remain unemployed
or underemployed by age 20
(Sources: DFPS, Texas Education Agency, Chapin Hall Midwest Study2025 Projections
The Texas Reality
People Over Policy