Protecting the Rights and Providing Appropriate Services to LGBTQIA2S+ Youth in Out-of-Home Care - Indiana
Rights of LGBTQIA2S+ Youth in Foster Care
Citation: Bill of Rights for Youth in Foster Care
In policy: Youth in foster care have to the right to not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, mental or physical disability, national origin, marital status, familial status, political views, financial situation, sexual orientation, or gender identity and to learn about these things in a safe and supportive environment.
Youth in foster care have the right to the following:
- To be valued and treated with dignity and respect
- To be protected from all types of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, whether physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual, and to be supported in reporting and combating abuse
Supports for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth in Care
Citation: Bill of Rights for Youth in Foster Care
Youth in foster care have the right to the following:
- To attend the same school, if possible, and have education records transferred to a new school if needed
- To participate in extracurricular, cultural, and personal enrichment activities, as balanced with the needs of other members of the household
- To know the reasons behind any physical, dental, and mental health-care decisions made on their behalf
- To be informed about medications and medication options
- To have a voice in decisions about their medical, dental, and mental health care
Placement Considerations
Citation: Bill of Rights for Youth in Foster Care
Youth in foster care have the right to the following:
- To have an adequate support system and receive appropriate services to address physical, mental health, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual needs
- To be placed in a home with as many of their siblings as possible, when appropriate
- When siblings are not placed together, to maintain regular, appropriate contact, including face-to-face visits
- To have regular visits with parents, siblings, and other relatives, unless visitation is not in their best interests
- To be active members in the community and to stay connected with important people in their lives outside of the foster care system
Caregiver Qualifications
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.
Definitions
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.