HRC Foundation’s All Children – All Families (ACAF) project is working with Maryland state officials to provide comprehensive staff training to better support LGBTQ youth.
According to The Washington Post, the trainings, which will start in Prince George’s county, will include guidance on how to recognize subconscious bias and using the proper language with LGBTQ youth.
“It comes down to education and talking to folks about what acceptance looks like,” Alison Delpercio, deputy director of ACAF, told The Washington Post. “When you talk to parents about that and help them understand even if they have the best interest of children in mind, expressing disgust or disapproval for a young person’s LGBTQ identity is harmful, and it’s the exact opposite of what they are trying to do.”
Research has shown that LGBTQ youth are over-represented in the foster care system. This means that the percentage of youth in foster care who are LGBTQ-identified is larger than the percentage of LGBTQ youth in the general youth population. LGBTQ youth in foster care also face disparities – differences in experiences in care or treatment by the system. Studies show they are more likely to be harassed or discriminated against and they have a higher number of placements (different places they have lived) during their time in care. LGBTQ youth of color are especially vulnerable to multiple forms of discrimination.
LGBTQ youth enter the foster care system for many of the same reasons as non-LGBTQ youth in care, including abuse, neglect, and parental substance abuse. Many LGBTQ youth have the added layer of trauma that comes with being rejected or mistreated because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
HRC’s expert training for child welfare professionals focuses on the knowledge and essential skills social workers need to create affirming and supportive environments for the diverse population of LGBTQ young people in care.
Currently, 21 states have policies or laws barring discrimination against foster youths based on sexual orientation. Only 14 extend those policies to transgender children.
Learn more about HRC’s work to promote LGBTQ cultural competency in adoption and foster care through our All Children–All Families project at hrc.org/acaf.
Click here to read HRC’s issue brief on LGBTQ youth in foster care.
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