Advocacy

"It's not enough to simply care; we must ACT!"

TNOYS promotes local, statewide and national advocacy among our members on a range of policy and funding issues concerning youth. The emphasis is on grassroots advocacy: organizing members to advocate on behalf of youth in at-risk situations and empowering young people to advocate on their own behalf.

Our staff represents the Network in the state policymaking process in a variety of ways, including by testifying at hearings, meeting with legislative staff, actively participating in advocate coalition groups, and developing and distributing policy communications. We advocate around a variety of issues to support youth and families in at-risk situations, but we concentrate our efforts on programs and services within the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), including the Services to At-Risk Youth (STAR) program, other prevention services, and emergency shelter services for foster youth. 

Concerning federal advocacy issues, TNOYS coordinates closely with the National Network for Youth and the Southwest Network of Youth Services.  We notify members of federal legislative news on a wide range of issues directly impacting youth services, and communicate regularly with federal and regional staff of the Administration for Children and Families and the Health and Human Services Department on issues relating toRunaway and Homeless Youth, Transitional Living Services, and the Street Outreach Program.

To keep our members abreast of both our advocacy efforts and state and national legislative, policy, and programmatic changes that may influence their clients or services, we periodically issue electronic policy alerts to our listserv.  We also develop and distribute a biennial legislative advocacy guide to instruct our members on how to advocate most effectively.    

 

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