News

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 »

In recognition of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, TNOYS is proud to spotlight Central Texas Youth Services and uplift the fantastic work of this organization. Shellie Hassell, Executive Director, answered a few questions about the work their organization is doing below. Central Texas Youth Services works with the runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth in central… 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 »

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness month, our member spotlight is on zGen Project. zGen joined TNOYS’ member network earlier this year. They provide trainings and evidence-based approaches on teen trauma identification, awareness, and intervention. At TNOYS, we’ve seen firsthand how elevating youth voices and building youth-adult partnerships can shift public perception and raise awareness… Read more »