Posts By: Sondra Lehmann

By Guest Blogger Antwon Martin, Communications Coordinator at Austin-based TNOYS member organization SAFE SAFE CARES had only been around for a few months when Mariann arrived at our drop-in center for survivors of sex trafficking. At the time, she was reeling from a recent sexual assault and was still being trafficked. Mariann is one of… Read more »

Reducing seclusion and restraint practices in youth services is a priority for TNOYS because it is so important to preventing re-traumatization of youth who have experienced abuse or neglect. Since 2014, TNOYS has been coordinating the statewide Seclusion & Restraint Reduction Leadership Group, initially established by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, which brings together stakeholders across… Read more »

Roy Maas’ Youth Alternatives (RMYA) has been operating in the San Antonio area for over 40 years, with the aim of helping youth recover from the trauma of abuse and integrate back into the community so they can lead healthy and productive lives. The organization has grown with the San Antonio community and its needs… Read more »

Last week, TNOYS and Texas Appleseed released the most comprehensive study to date on the issue of youth homelessness in Texas. “Young, Alone and Homeless in the Lone Star State” sheds light on the situation of youth experiencing homelessness in our state, and also provides recommendations on policies that can help them. The report has… Read more »

At the height of Hurricane Harvey’s destruction, TNOYS reported on the status of our member organizations that were impacted, or were opening their doors to help those who were. Now that the hurricane is over and the floodwaters are receding, the work to rebuild is just beginning. Youth service providers have a unique set of… Read more »

The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) has requested that TNOYS collect information on the current needs of foster youth, provider organizations, foster families, and other related entities impacted by Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding. If you have been impacted, please send your name, contact information, and a list of current needs —… Read more »

TNOYS recently made the decision to revive the Emergency Shelter Task Force, which had for many years provided representation, networking, and support for Texas’ emergency shelter providers. This newly reorganized group met for the first time on Aug. 16 for an informative and productive gathering, and we’re excited to have the group up and running… Read more »

This post is being updated continuously as we receive new information. For TNOYS’ initial response to Hurricane Harvey with information on how to access our network for support, please see our Executive Director’s Aug. 28 email here. Hurricane Harvey has devastated many areas of Texas with both the initial storm and subsequent flooding. Many youth… Read more »

  On August 28, the TNOYS Executive Director sent the following email to TNOYS members and stakeholders regarding Hurricane Harvey: To TNOYS members and our partners in the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey and the resulting floods: Thank you for working hard to keep your youth safe and serve Texans who have been displaced. Our thoughts… Read more »

The El Paso Center for Children (EPCC) offers a wide variety of programs – everything from a foster care placement program, to an emergency shelter for homeless and runaway youth, to a counseling program for youth and their families that aims to prevent crises before they occur.  These many varying programs didn’t emerge over the… Read more »