Next month, we will be having our first member meeting of 2024! We will announce this year’s opportunities for members and highlight Texas Child Centered Care (TC3), a significant operational change for child welfare providers. Learn more and register: info.tnoys.org/e/936563/51025…

Hey there !! We look forward to sharing our expertise with you. These responses will be coming from our MGP Youth Advocacy Leaders. They are formally known as Youth Voices Empowered a.k.a YVE. We appreciate the opportunity to be able to shed light on such a strong topic.

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

A1: 1/2 Youth in need are often approached by someone who offers to help them or provide them with something they need…but there’s a string attached. What this youth needs will only be provided if a sexual favor is given in exchange. ##TNOYSTownHall

A1. Homelessness drastically increases risk-factors of exploitation and survival sex for basic needs. In fact, one in three unhoused youth will be approached by a trafficker within 72 hours of becoming homeless. #TNOYSTownHall #EndTrafficking

A1: The biggest aspect for youth is survival, with youth not having a proper support system they find themselves doing certain things to survive. Times are hard for a young person with no guidance or resources, being in survival mode is a coping mechanism for CSEY. #TNOYSTownHall

A2: Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) listened to & learned from 120+ youth, young adults, & providers to develop actionable guidance to identify, address, prevent, & #EndHumanTrafficking. See some of our recommendations in this graphic & learn more here: tnoys.org/publications/ #TNOYSTownHall

A2: There is not enough Youth Voice in the work that is being done to stop the amount of youth that are CSEY. To really see numbers change, the old mindsets and old ways of thinking have to change. Innovation is inevitable so allow the new generation in. #TNOYSTownHall

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

A4. When possible, providers should partner with organizations or peer groups that support CSEY. See our CARES team guide for identifying red flags of CSEY. #TNOYSTownHall

The moment has finally arrived! March 6-7 is #AmplifyAustinDay, the biggest giving event in Central Texas. Show your support for TNOYS and the youth and young adults we serve by contributing to our donation goals: amplifyatx.org/organizations/…

A7: Our member organizations have expressed time & time again that their organizations' face regular staffing challenges. #txlege should prioritize stronger resources & support for these providers so they can better assist YYA in getting their health needs met. #TNOYSTownHall