Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

Providing exceptional legal advice and representation to impoverished people.

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

Thank you so much for your engagement, this concludes our #TNOYSTownHall! Special thanks go out to @NAMITexas, @MGPHouston, @hftexas, @familytime_ccc, @EarlCarl1992, @TXRioGrande, @nominetwork, and @ConnectionsIFS for participating!

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A8: Communicate and show the value that the YYA's lived experience has to creating better outcomes for future generations. Youth with lived experience are often eager to share their perspective, but so little do they feel truly heard. When they do - they can overcome AND uplift!

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

Q8: How can we better lift up the voices of youth and young adults to help them overcome challenges and achieve healthy development? What are examples of youth voice in action? #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A7: Use feedback from vulnerable YYA + YYA with lived experience to shape policy goals around health and mental health care! #TNOYSTownHall #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

[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

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A6 (2/2): ... be provided to them repetitively, and some help until they nail it on their own. Texas Foster Youth can call the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project hotlne at [phone] for help identifying necessary supports and troubleshooting insurance problems.

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A6 (1/2): YYA need support to learn how to navigate the health and mental health care systems. Many FFY age out of care without learning these critical life skills (making appointments, handling medical bills). They need dense and complicated information related to healthcare to

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

Q6: Youth and young adults (YYA) often do not have the resources they need for the transition into adulthood. What do YYA need to know about taking care of their health and mental health as they prepare for independent living? #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A5 (2/2): YA over 24 years old especially struggle without access to affordable childcare, TRANSPORTATION, and housing. While some programs address this need in major TX cities, resources in rural areas are far more scarce. #tnoystownhall #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A5 (1/2): We often hear that pregnant and parenting YYA struggle to obtain and maintain employment, attend school, or afford basic needs.

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

Q5: YYA often uplift the need for better reproductive health education and health/ mental health supports for young parents. What do we often hear? What challenges can YYA face as they are pregnant/ parenting? #TNOYSTownHall

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A4: Health and mental health providers should focus on practicing a low-threshold model of trauma informed care. BIPOC and LGBTQ YYA disproportionately face systems involvement, and care should reflect an acknowledgement of that by making services easy to obtain and maintain.

[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

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A3 (2/2): information to keep their benefits active through age 26. Much of this can be handled via https://t.co/WSv4XSFST6 online, app, or calling 211. Former foster youth can also call the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project at [phone] for help with FFCC Medicaid.

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A3 (1/2): For former foster youth, understanding how to navigate and access their FFCC Medicaid benefits can be a real challenge. Supportive adults and caseworkers should work to help youth understand how they can manage their benefits, find providers, and update essential

[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

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A2: Early intervention and continued support through transition out of care, and trusting relationships developed by those service providers. The TFYJP sees lack of identification as one of the most common issues contributing to lack of shelter and basic needs for YYA.

[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

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

A1: Young adults impacted by systems need reliable access to quality medical and mental health care that is flexible (offers virtual visits), affordable, and culturally competent. #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

[Texas RioGrande Legal Aid @TXRioGrande]

This is Camilla with the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project! We will be engaging in the Digital Town Hall with @TNOYS this afternoon