Posts By: Sondra Lehmann

TNOYS at the Texas Capitol: Highlights from March During the 88th Texas Legislative Session

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 »

TNOYS at the Texas Capitol: January/ February Highlights During the 88th Texas Legislative Session

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 »

Texas Emerging Leaders Board Will Build Pathways to Success for Systems-Involved Youth and Young Adults (YYA) Across the State

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 »

TNOYS Awarded Funding to Increase Vaccine Confidence Among Systems-Involved Youth and Young Adults

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 »

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 »