Youth in Out-of-Home Care
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people in foster care, juvenile justice and homeless settings have to cope with the burdens other children face in out-of-home care. But these difficulties are often compounded by neglect, discrimination and abuse against LGBTQ youth at the hands of the child welfare systems charged to protect them. Inappropriate placement and widespread misunderstanding or ignorance of the needs of LGBTQ teens also endangers their health and safety. They are at risk of physical violence, substance abuse, unsafe sex and even suicide. Many also cycle through homelessness and juvenile justice systems.
Lambda Legal’s Youth in Out-of Home Care Project raises awareness and advances reform on behalf of LGBTQ youth in child welfare, juvenile justice and homeless systems of care. We aim to increase the will and capacity of youth-serving organizations to prepare and support LGBTQ youth as they transition from adolescence to independence. We work with LGBTQ youth as well as social workers, case managers, administrators and other child welfare advocates to ensure safe and affirming child welfare services for LGBTQ youth.
Legal Assistance Helpline
We work to improve services for LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care through advocacy, education and impact litigation. If you are a young person or adult involved in a young person’s care who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or HIV status in foster care, the juvenile justice system or a homeless shelter, contact us toll free at: 1-866-LGBTeen (1-866-542-8336) or inquire with us online.
National Train the Trainer Initiative
In 2009, our initiative with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) trained 40 master trainers on how to train service providers in the child welfare, juvenile justice and homeless services systems to work competently with LGBTQ youth. Each of the 40 master trainers committed to training an additional 40 service providers, bringing the total child welfare professionals trained to at least 1600.
- View the NASW Train the Trainer Manual, Moving the Margins: Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth In Out-of-Home Care (PDF)
- View the NASW PowerPoint presentation, Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care
Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression in Social Work Education Survey Project
In November 2009, Lambda Legal and the Council on Social Work Education jointly released the results of a study on sexual orientation and gender expression in social work programs aimed to determine the level of preparation for students to serve LGBT individuals and LGBT youth in out-of-home care. This nationwide survey of more than 600 social work programs revealed that program directors need more resources to increase their knowledge on sexual orientation and gender expression and to further infuse content on LGBT individuals and youth throughout curricular areas. The report includes recommendations that social work schools can adopt to better prepare the next generation of child welfare advocates and other service providers to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care and LGBT communities more generally.
National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth
From 2008–2009, Lambda Legal collaborated with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the National Network for Youth and the National Center for Lesbian Rights to co-author a policy brief that provides an overview of homelessness among LGBT youth. The brief gives direction to agencies and not-for-profit organizations to increase their competency in working with LGBT homeless youth. These recommendations include specific guidance on improving practice, organizational culture and residential services.
Child Welfare League of America/Lambda LGBTQ National Advisory Network
Lambda Legal has joined forces with the country’s leading child welfare organization, Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), to advocate for standardizing safe, affirming and supportive services for LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care.
The CWLA/Lambda LGBTQ National Advisory Network is comprised of over 250 individuals nationwide. This volunteer network focuses on the needs of LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care. Network members include youth in care, direct service providers, agency administrators, researchers in the field and legal advocates. The Network convenes several times per year via conference call. Members also receive periodic email updates, announcements and resources. The Network also fosters contact between individuals in the same geographic areas or with common interests.
H.R. 3827: The Every Child Deserves a Family Act
On October 15, 2009, Rep. Pete Stark introduced the "Every Child Deserves a Family Act." The legislation would prohibit states and child welfare agencies from denying or delaying adoption or foster care placements based on the sexual orientation, marital status or gender identity of the potential parents. Lambda Legal's Youth in Out-of-Home Care Project sent a letter to Rep. Pete Stark in support of the legislation.
Publications
Lambda Legal and CWLA have released a number of publications that explain the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care and provide best practices for policy makers and practitioners. These include Out of the Margins: A Report on Regional Listening Forums Highlighting the Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth in Care and Getting Down to Basics: Tools to Support LGBTQ Youth in Care. Order our publications free of charge. For more information about Lambda Legal’s Youth in Out-of-Home Care Project, see the project’s fact sheet:
In English - Youth in Out-of-Home Care Project
In Spanish - Proyecto de Jóvenes LGBTQ que Viven Fuera de Casa
Know Your Rights: LGBTQ Youth and Youth Living with HIV in Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems.
Youth in foster care and juvenile justice systems who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) or living with HIV have basic rights.
Other Resources
Lambda Legal has partnered with other organizations dedicated to improving services for out-of-home LGBTQ youth to create a resource list with helpful organizational contacts across the country, as well as key publications, court cases and state-level policies. Service providers and others should feel free to use and distribute this list.
Lambda Legal has compiled lists of state and national resources for LGBTQ young people, both in and out of care.
