Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

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!

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!

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

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 (877) 313-3688 for help identifying necessary supports and troubleshooting insurance problems.

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

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

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

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.

A3 (2/2): information to keep their benefits active through age 26. Much of this can be handled via YourTexasBenefits.com online, app, or calling 211. Former foster youth can also call the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project at (877) 313-3688 for help with FFCC Medicaid.

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

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.

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

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