Posts By: Sondra Lehmann

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing gaps in support for Texas’ most vulnerable populations, including former foster youth and those who have experienced homelessness. It has also created new gaps in support, as youth who were already working to overcome difficult obstacles have been saddled with additional challenges — including job loss, school closures, isolation,… Read more »

Across Texas, youth and family service providers are working on new strategies to keep youth safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. STARRY, headquartered in Round Rock, is one such organization: STARRY serves as the Family and Youth Success (formerly known as “Services to At Risk Youth”) Program for 31 counties in Central, North, Northeast, and Northwest Texas,… Read more »

Census 2020 is well underway, but the COVID-19 pandemic is causing the U.S. Census Bureau to change or delay many of their efforts to get-out-the-count.  On the ground census operations, including the counting of people in group quarters, were planned to start at the beginning of April. However, state and local governments have delayed operations… Read more »

This blog post is part of an ongoing series that aim to assist youth service providers in their COVID-19 response efforts. For more information and resources, please visit TNOYS’ blog, or visit the COVID-19 resource page. The COVID-19 pandemic means that many workers on the front lines have been left scrambling to find child care… Read more »

Last week, TNOYS brought together youth-service providers for peer-to-peer learning, information sharing, troubleshooting, and peer support through a series of virtual meetings. TNOYS has been coordinating some of its efforts with National Network for Youth, Texas Homeless Network, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, and Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services. Each call included opportunities… Read more »

This blog post is part of an ongoing series that aim to assist youth service providers in their COVID-19 response efforts. For more information and resources, please visit TNOYS’ blog, or visit the COVID-19 resource page. In response to COVID-19, the federal government has made several funding opportunities available to small businesses and nonprofits. TNOYS… Read more »

This blog post is part of an ongoing series that aim to assist youth service providers in their COVID-19 response efforts. For more information and resources, please visit TNOYS’ blog, or visit the COVID-19 resource page. As the State of Texas, counties, and communities issue stay-at-home orders, social distancing and avoiding group gatherings has become… Read more »

This blog post is part of an ongoing series that aim to assist youth service providers in their COVID-19 response efforts. For more information and resources, please visit TNOYS’ blog, or visit the COVID-19 resource page. Local governments are responding to COVID 19 with “stay-at home” policies, which has led to the closure of non-essential… Read more »

This blog post is part of an ongoing series that aim to assist youth service providers in their COVID-19 response efforts. For more information and resources, please visit TNOYS’ blog, or visit the COVID-19 resource page. Over the last week, TNOYS facilitated calls with stakeholders, members, and government agencies to understand how youth services are… Read more »

This blog post is part of an ongoing series that aim to assist youth service providers in their COVID-19 response efforts. For more information and resources, please visit TNOYS’ blog, or visit the COVID-19 resource page. As the number of identified cases of COVID-19 climb in the United States and in Texas, youth service providers, particularly providers… Read more »