Posts By: Sondra Lehmann

LaBraia Owens is a member of TNOYS’ Young Adult Leadership Council and a double major in business computer information systems and economics at the University of North Texas.  From a young age, LaBraia has been academically and leadership driven. She describes herself as motivated in building up herself and others, and she is dedicated to… Read more »

In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, TNOYS is proud to spotlight Project Protect Our Children and their amazing work in Texas. Denise Mears, Founder and Executive Director, answered a few questions about the work their organization is doing below. Project Protect Our Children is a 501c3 dedicated to preventing child sex trafficking, exploitation,… Read more »

This summer, TNOYS was excited to team up with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) on PEAKS (Physical and Environmental Activities for Knowledge and Skills) Adventure Camp and our Building Alliances with Youth to Reduce and Prevent Children without Placement (CWOP) training, two initiatives that aim to build stronger partnerships between Texas… Read more »

Last month, TNOYS’ 40th Annual Conference on Services to Youth and Families in Houston brought together over 400 attendees of all ages and backgrounds for an energizing week of learning, networking, and fun. Our team was excited to host a wide variety of expert speakers and interactive workshops that empowered youth, young adults, and professionals… Read more »

Over the past year, TNOYS has been collaborating with youth partners to improve engagement with Opportunity Youth and Young Adults (OYYA) – the estimated 500,000 young Texans between 16 and 24 years old who are neither enrolled in school nor employed. Data has shown that these young people face various challenges such as trauma, unstable… Read more »

Wondering how TNOYS’ 40th Annual Conference on Services to Youth and Families will help strengthen your skills? We’re excited to announce that the digital program is live! Get the details on the 50+ workshops at this year’s event. Stay tuned, and the final program will be available soon. Don’t forget: up to 25 CEUs are… Read more »

March was packed with wide ranging opportunities to have our voices heard in policy change, both in Texas and at the national level! We’re grateful to the youth, young adults, and providers who joined to advocate for the priorities in TNOYS’ agenda for the 88th Texas Legislative Session. Below are some highlights from our work:… Read more »

The 88th Texas Legislative Session kicked off January 10, marking an exciting start to the year! Over the next several months, TNOYS staff, members, and youth and young adult (YYA) partners will come together to advocate for positive change across seven systems: child welfare, housing and homelessness services, justice, survivor services, health and behavioral health,… Read more »

Austin – Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS), a statewide organization that strengthens services for Texas youth and families, has teamed up with the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions (FCS) and Young Invincibles to launch a Texas Emerging Leaders Board that will build pathways to academic and career success for the state’s 500,000 “Opportunity Youth” (OY): Young people between the… Read more »

Thanks to generous funding from Texas A&M University Sponsored Research Services, TNOYS is leading a new campaign to encourage systems-involved youth and young adults (YYA) to get vaccinated and protect themselves and others from COVID-19. As part of our multi-pronged effort, TNOYS will listen to and learn from systems-involved YYA, build partnerships with organizations working… Read more »