Thank you to all who joined us for the Cross-Discipline Trauma Conference of Central Texas.  TNOYS was pleased to partner with Austin Child Guidance Center to host this great event.  One participant, Krystle Ramsay, from the residential treatment center at Hill County Youth Ranch, a participating site in the TNOYS’ Creating a Culture of Care… Read more »

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Vicki Barron, the Executive Director of K’STAR, in Kerrville, Texas, passed away on April 4, 2015. Vicki was the Executive Director of K’STAR for more than 24 years and she was a long-time member of TNOYS. Vicki helped to improve the lives of thousands of… Read more »

One of our Harris County Transition-Age Youth and Families (TAYF) partners, Communities in Schools of Houston, recently had a “TAY Fun Day.” The goal of the event was to bring together TAY (transition-age youth, ages 14-24 years old) from their different sites and have a day of fun and celebration – all planned with the… Read more »

TNOYS is coordinating the Harris County Transition-Age Youth and Families initiative focused on youth and caregiver engagement to improve mental health services and supports for a young person’s successful transition to adulthood. We recently partnered with NAMI Greater Houston on a parents and caregivers-only workshop series and are excited to spotlight the experiences of one… Read more »

A BIG thank you to all of the youth groups that joined us for our 2015 Youth in Action Capitol Day!  We had over 250 youth visit the Capitol to speak out on issues that are important to them. After a great keynote presentation by youth presenter, Gavin DeGrate, youth presented on their issues of… Read more »

Senate Bills 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 210, 211, 212, and 219 have been filed to complete the proposed consolidation of the five health and human services agencies and various councils. For a complete listing of senate and house sunset legislation, go to this link: https://www.sunset.texas.gov/84th-legislative-session Update—As of March 18, 2015 – Senator Nelson… Read more »

The Sunset legislation is the result of five separate reports, each for one of the five health and human service agencies, published by the Sunset Advisory Commission (SAC) from August to December 2014. The purpose of the SAC’s staff review was to determine if the five health and human services agencies’ mission are still needed… Read more »

In legislation news, a collection of bills resulting from recommendation from the Sunset Advisory Commission that would change and further consolidate health and human service agencies were filed earlier this month. Senator Jane Nelson, R- Flower Mound, who also is the Senate Finance chairwoman, filed Senate Bill (SB) 200 that transforms the Health and Human… Read more »

There is nothing partisan or controversial about supporting outreach, crisis services and housing for America’s homeless youth.  In fact, providing these supports and services saves lives, prevents further trauma, and reconnects families.  This is what we need you to say to Senator Cornyn when you call him.  Tell him to support S. 262, the Runaway… Read more »

Please help us in welcoming April Ferrino to the TNOYS team. We are thrilled she has joined us as our new Senior Policy and Evaluation Specialist. In her new role, April will help lead our advocacy efforts, evaluate our initiatives, and work with our members across the state to strengthen their programs through evaluation and… Read more »