Alexander

He/They ~ ATX~ LGB(T)Q Advocate and Program Coordinator @TNOYS

[SAFE @SAFEatx]

A8. Partner with CSEY youth advocates and local survivor leaders in your community to better understand their experiences and how to engage with them in a way that resonates with the way they see the world. #TNOYSTownHall

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A8: As J says below: "Forget the textbook" Listen to the current needs and perspectives of the young people you're serving. Further: PARTNER with YYA to develop policies and procedures that are responsive to their current needs, strengths, and concerns. #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

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A7: Our CSEY Resource Center was designed to provide professionals and organizations with information and materials to support their efforts in preventing and meeting the needs of survivors. Check it out! https://t.co/dGOhywYmCQ #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

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A5: Check out what Kirsten, one of our YALC members, had to say regarding this issue. Need I say more? #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

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A4 (2/2): Read more about why this is important here: https://t.co/VUPxv1mJKv #TNOYSTownHall

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A4 (1/2): CSEY has long gone unrecognized and unseen. Providers working with youth must be effectively trained on identifying the warning signs of CSEY. There should never be a "wrong door" for youth to go through to receive the support they deserve. #TNOYSTownHall

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

Q4: Housing and homelessness services providers are often on the frontlines of Texas’ CSEY crisis. How can they identify and support YYA impacted by CSEY? #TNOYSTownHall

[Alexander @alexorxander]

#TNOYSTownHall

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A3 (1/1): LGBTQ+ youth are up to 5x higher CSE risk and 120% higher homelessness risk than cis-hetero peers. This risk is not because of their identity, but common factors like lack of acceptance, exposure to discrimination, and inadequate support that place youth at further risk

[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

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A3 (2/2): As someone who has lived these stats, it's still overwhelming. I can only find comfort in knowing I wasn't truly alone in my story, which is like many others. Today, I shed light on these experiences to bring awareness and educate providers on these critical issues.

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A1 (2/2): Exploiters recognize the vulnerability of youth in such situations, preying on their unmet needs. It's crucial to address these systemic issues. #TNOYSTownHall

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A1 (1/2) : In my own experience- When I was homeless, there wasn't anything I wouldn't do to escape the Texas heat. I was turned down from shelters, denied insurance, and desperate for support. I had nowhere else to turn to. #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

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A7: Addressing power struggles with YYA can be complex for providers. TNOYS' Building Alliances training offers effective strategies to bridge gaps and stronger bonds between providers and youth. Together, we can navigate challenges with empathy and understanding. #TNOYSTownHall

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

Q7: When supporting YYA with their development, what are obstacles or challenges that may arise? How can they be addressed? #TNOYSTownHall #PositiveYouthDevelopment

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A6: Equipping YYA with info that speaks to their reality is crucial. 🌟 Especially vital in overcoming healthcare hurdles. Empower young people to navigate health challenges with confidence. 💪 #TNOYSTownHall

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

Q6: What are strategies to help YYA build important life skills so they can better transition out of systems and into adulthood? #TNOYSTownHall #PositiveYouthDevelopment

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A5: Centering equity for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ YYA means amplifying their voices, ensuring representation, empowering leadership, providing culturally sensitive resources, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment. #TNOYSTownHall

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

Q5: It is important to center equity when working with youth and young adults. What are some considerations to best support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ YYA? #TNOYSTownHall #PositiveYouthDevelopment

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A4: Empowering youth means understanding their health challenges. Providers play a crucial role in guiding YYA through barriers like limited health info, mental health gaps, and preventive care. Equip them to make informed choices. #TNOYSTownHall

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

Q4: Positive health and mental health are very important for YYA development. What are best practices to foster physical and mental well-being in young people? #TNOYSTownHall #PositiveYouthDevelopment

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A2: Many YYA express not having a say in pivotal life choices. Positive Youth Development (PYD) empowers them as equal partners, fostering engagement within communities, schools, orgs, peers, and families. Let's champion constructive collaboration! #TNOYSTownHall

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

Q2: How does positive youth development differ from traditional approaches to working with youth and young adults (YYA)? #TNOYSTownHall #PositiveYouthDevelopment

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A8(2/2) It is imperative that healthcare professionals are educated and informed on how to best serve LGBTQ+ youth populations, especially those with prior trauma. #TNOYSTownHall

[Alexander @alexorxander]

A8: (1/2) LGBTQ+ youth often encounter a combination of discrimination and ignorance when accessing healthcare. Medical trauma amongst LGBTQ+ populations as a result of this maltreatment is all too common. #TNOYSTownHall

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

Q8: How can health services be more trauma-informed and culturally-responsive? What is the relationship between these services and preventing poor health outcomes? #TNOYSTownHall

[Kennedy Quintanilla @khq_atx]

A9: Systems-involved youth voice is central to our work at TNOYS and the same should be said for the #txlege. Our efforts center the lived experiences of the youth we serve so that we can equitably serve them. #TNOYSTownHall

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

Earlier this month, our very own @AC_Proffitt, @alexorxander, and @FedoraGalasso flew up to DC for the National Summit on Youth Homelessness, hosted by @nn4youth. We had a great time learning, leading sessions, and talking to Texas legislators! #nn4y23 #EndYouthHomelessness