ConnectionsIFS

Connections Individual and Family Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth, connecting families, and building futures.

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A7. Advocate for long-term telehealth providers so YYA can have access to services no matter their placement. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q7: The next #txlege session begins in January 2025. How can lawmakers better support the health and mental health needs of YYA who are vulnerable to systems-involvement or currently impacted by systems? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A4. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people need safe clinics with providers who are educated in their needs, who will listen to them, and who are members of those communities whenever possible. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q4: BIPOC and LGBTQ YYA often face barriers to getting their health and mental health needs met. How can we make services more equitable? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A3. Vote. We need people in charge that care about children regardless of their identity. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q3: What are ways to improve both health access and health education so that YYA can better understand their options and how to stay healthy? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A2. YYA need easy access to these items at no cost, and they need education when they don’t get it at home. Many schools need to provide better quality foods and to get rid of lunch tabs, which wind up punishing children for something beyond their control. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q2: In addition to healthcare access, needs like safe shelter and healthy food are essential to YYAs’ physical and mental health. What preventative resources do YYA need to become and stay healthy? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A1. Many YYA impacted by systems haven't learned how to live healthy lifestyles – they lack a healthy diet and physical exercise, and almost all of them would benefit from actively engaging in counseling. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q1: What are common physical and mental health needs among youth and young adults (YYA) impacted by systems? What barriers exist to getting their needs met? #TNOYSTownHall #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A8: Organizations can implement Positive Youth Development plans in their programs, start a youth council, or partner with agencies that have a council and connect YYA to them. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q8: How can organizations, providers, and advocates partner with and amplify the voices of youth and young adults to combat CSEY? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A7: TNOYS, TACFS, and the Karen Purvis Institute all have excellent resources to help organizations and providers combat CSEY. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q7: What tools or resources can help providers combat CSEY? Which trainings or resources are especially impactful? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A6: Creating, but not forcing the use of, accessible spaces like counseling and spaces that exist to offer space to discuss and process CSEY experiences. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q6: What are strategies to build trust with young people impacted by or at-risk of CSEY and make sure their needs are met? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A5: Accessibility to services like housing, mental health, health care, and first-time offender programs. Creating programs that communicate with multiple providers to create wraparound services and transfer information from previous providers to limit redundancy. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q5: Outcomes like youth homelessness, juvenile justice involvement, and health and mental health challenges can both result from and cause CSEY. What can CSEY prevention look like? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A3: Couch surfing, staying at different friends’ homes over time, and hanging out in areas that are more likely to involve unsafe adults are all possibilities. Traffickers can spot youth and young adults without stable homes and offer them an enticing solution. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q3: BIPOC and LGBTQ-identifying youth and young adults (YYA) are more likely to experience both homelessness and CSEY. What can this look like? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A2: Transient populations and short-term placement options limit servicers’ availability to conduct long-term work with CSEY populations, which leads to a lack of ID of these experiences. Lack of ID leads to limited ability to address & prevent future experiences. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q2: What are some of the challenges of identifying, addressing, and preventing CSEY? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A1: Youth experiencing homelessness are often focused on survival — where their next meal will come from and where they’re going to sleep. This puts youth in a vulnerable position, and they may make unsafe choices to get their needs met. #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q1: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CSEY) involves the sexual abuse or exploitation of a young person in exchange for something of value (e.g. money, material goods, or basic needs). What is the relationship between CSEY and youth homelessness? #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

Sending a quick DM to say, “how’s it going?” is all it takes to be a person that someone can #TurnTo. Learn more at https://t.co/y24amAhqKC

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

Feeling stressed and need help finding your way out? Connection is a click away. #TurnTo https://t.co/y24amAz29c for more community resources.

[Michael Grisham @MBGrish_ATX]

A9 (2/2): TNOYS has its own AmeriCorps program focused on connecting young adults who have lived expertise w/professional development & employment opportunities at TNOYS member organizations across Texas. https://t.co/DGwtp78apK #TNOYSTownHall #opportunityyouth

[ihimjermaine @ihimjermaine]

A9 (1/2): TNOYS' Young Adult Leadership Council! YALC is our flagship young adult professional development & leadership training program. We work with YYA 16-25 that want to share their lived experience to better systems for other youth.

[Theo Adams-Hernandez @adamstheo_]

A9 (2/2): We compensate YYA for their time at Listening Sessions as we value and practice paying youth for sharing their story and expertise. During session, we bring YYA to the capitol to share their stories with legislators to advocate for change. #TNOYSTownHall

[Young Invincibles @YoungInvincible]

@TNOYS A9: At #YITexas, we offer a Young Advocates Program as well as the Youth Advisory Board. Both provide young adults *paid* opportunities to engage in the political process, uplift their voices, and weigh in directly on how a youth-led organization is run. #TNOYSTownHall

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A8: YYA need strong support systems and healthy long-term relationships to achieve their goals, so less regulation of foster parent homes with a more reasonable parent standard approach. Lowering the cost of adoptions. More funding and awareness for group homes. #txlege

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q8: What can the state of Texas do to support Opportunity Youth and other systems-involved YYA with their career and educational goals? #TNOYSTownHall #educationmatters #txlege

[ConnectionsIFS @ConnectionsIFS]

A7: Often these youth are homeless and/or have experienced significant trauma. Based on TBRI principles, before trauma can be addressed, basic needs such as food and housing should be supplied first. No longer in crisis, youth are now free to learn, heal, & grow. #AgingOut

[Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) @TNOYS]

Q7: Texas is home to about 500k youth and young adults ages 16-24 who are not in school nor working. How can youth-serving providers engage these Opportunity Youth to help them reach their dreams? #TNOYSTownHall #opportunityyouth