Posts By: Sondra Lehmann

Youth Advocate Spotlight: Montoya Thomas Shares Her Experience with Access to Mental Health Care

Access to mental health care is incredibly important for systems-involved youth and young adults (YYA), especially as they transition out of systems and into adulthood. However, many YYA encounter a range of barriers when it comes to getting the care they need.  TNOYS has listened to and learned from hundreds of systems-involved YYA about challenges… Read more »

TNOYS’ 39th Annual Conference:  Bringing Youth-Serving Systems to New Heights

TNOYS hosted our 39th Annual Conference for Services to Youth and Families both in-person in Houston as well as virtually last month. We were so excited to see how enthusiastically the 500+ attendees embraced this year’s theme of “Rise to Your Potential.” Inspired by a variety of expert speakers and interactive workshops, attendees of all… Read more »

Honoring the Victims in Uvalde

On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 24, a tragedy took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. 21 victims lost their lives during a tragic school shooting. With this crisis occurring during our 39th Annual Conference, our Chief Executive Officer, Fedora Galasso, led a moment of silence to open Day #2 to honor their… Read more »

Our Staff and YALC Picks for TNOYS’ 39th Annual Conference on Services to Youth and Families

TNOYS’ 39th Annual Conference on Services to Youth and Families is right around the corner, and our team is excited for the amazing sessions, speakers, and activities we have in store! There’s conference has distinct virtual and in-person formats. Join us virtually, in-person, or both! Join Us Virtually on May 11 to hear an inspiring… Read more »

TNOYS Launches Multi-City Listening Tour in Advance of the 88th Texas Legislative Session

TNOYS amplifies youth and provider voices as part of work to develop a youth-centered, cross-systems policy agenda. Austin – This week, Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) kicks off a multi-city listening tour to hear from youth, young adults, and youth-serving providers within seven system areas: housing & homelessness services, child welfare, juvenile justice, health and mental health, education,… Read more »

Youth Advocate Spotlight: Kedrick Spivey On What He Hopes to Change for CWOP-Designated Youth

TNOYS recently caught up with Kedrick Spivey to discuss a topic that has generated a fresh round of news coverage throughout Texas: the rise in foster youth being designated Children Without Placement (CWOP) because they have been placed in temporary emergency care in an unlicensed placement.  CWOP is typically viewed as a last resort to… Read more »

TNOYS Relaunches the Statewide Collaborative on Youth Homelessness

In February, TNOYS was excited to relaunch the Statewide Collaborative on Youth Homelessness after a 2-year hiatus. The collaborative’s first meeting of 2022 welcomed more than 100 state agency leaders, service providers, and members of TNOYS’ Young Adult Leadership Council (YALC) to build alignment as we work to prevent and end youth homelessness in Texas…. Read more »

End of Year Highlights: Reflecting on 2021

With 2021 drawing to a close, there is a lot for TNOYS and our member network to reflect on and celebrate. Through all of the year’s challenges and opportunities, we could not be more grateful for the many partners and youth who made a direct impact on TNOYS’ work. We’re excited to share some of… Read more »

How TNOYS Put Youth Engagement Into Action in 2021

2021 was a year of growth for TNOYS’ work to more meaningfully center and amplify the voices of youth and young adults (YYA). From listening sessions and focus groups to leadership development training, these efforts were guided by our Youth Engagement Roadmap — a new blueprint for how TNOYS can engage YYAs, learn directly from… Read more »