Working With LGBTQ Youth and Families

This section provides information about serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who are involved in the child welfare system. Resources on this page support child welfare workers serving this population, while subpages include resources for LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care and resources offering support and guidance for LGBTQ youth and their families.

2016 RISE Project Care Coordination Team Program Manual
Children's Bureau (2016)
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Discusses the RISE (Recognize Intervene Support Empower) initiative based in Los Angeles. The manual explains the historical background and lessons learned.

2016 RISE Project Outreach and Relationship Building Program Manual
Children's Bureau (2016)
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Explains lessons learned regarding program implementation in order to assist child welfare agencies replicate or adapt the outreach and relationship-building component of RISE in local settings. Other volumes of the program manual provide training about social work practice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth as well as supportive families and safe homes.

Affirming and Supporting LGBTQ Children and Youth in Child Welfare (PDF - 236 KB)
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Provides statistics on increased risks for LGBTQ youth and young adults, as well as information on how child welfare systems can avoid harmful practices and use healthy, developmentally therapeutic approaches when working with LGBTQ children and youth.

All Children - All Families: LGBTQ Resources for Child Welfare Professionals
Human Rights Campaign
Offers resources for professionals pertaining to several aspects of providing services to LGBTQ-identifying youth and families, including information about congregate care and the recruitment of LGBTQ families.

How Can Child Welfare Agencies Effectively Support LGBTQ+ Youth in Care? (PDF - 749 KB)
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2019)
Outlines the negative child welfare outcomes more common among LGBTQ+-identifying youth before presenting local programs designed to better support these youth in care.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ)
Capacity Building Center for States
Helps States and territories build the capacity to more effectively serve and support LGBTQ youth and foster and adoptive families. Resources include publications, videos, and webinars.

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