President Biden issued the "Executive Order on Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Individuals" to increase the support provided to families of children who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, or other gender or sexual identity), create stronger agency collaboration, reduce disparities, increase equity and inclusion, and improve placements and outcomes of youth and young adults who identify as LGBTQIA2S+.

The Executive order (EO) includes calls to strengthen LGBTQIA2S+ nondiscrimination protections in the foster care system, increase State child welfare agency collaboration, support LGBTQIA2S+ youth involved with the juvenile justice system, and promote appropriate placements of children and youth when they enter out-of-home care.

Child welfare caseworkers supporting children, youth, and families as well as community members can use the resources on this page to help implement the directions outlined in the EO. Each resource on this page is categorized in a way that relates to each of the EO's directives. Please note that the acronym used for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals may vary from resource to resource. 

These resources are aimed at helping child and family serving agencies better address the unique supports and services for the LGBTQIA2S+ children, youth, and families.

Creating an Affirming Home for LGBTQ+ Youth as a Foster or Adoptive Parent
AdoptUSKids (2022)
Offers ways that both foster and adoptive parents and families can create a more affirming home for children, youth, and young adults who identify as LGBTQ+.

Information Memorandum 22-01: Guidance for Title IV-B and IV-E Agencies When Serving LGBTQI+ Children and Youth
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2022)
Provides guidance from the Children's Bureau on how title IV-B and IV-E agencies can better support the needs of youth involved in child welfare who also identify as LGBTQI+.

A Message in Support of LGBTQI+ Children and Youth Who Are Involved With the Child Welfare System
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2022)
Provides an official message from the Children's Bureau about how best to support LGBTQI+ children and youth involved with the child welfare system.

Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Youth Involved With Child Welfare
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2022)
Children's Bureau Express, 23(6)
Spotlights resources available for youth who identify as LGBTQ+ who are involved with child welfare, including resources to help with challenges they may face and how agencies and others can support them.

A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month, 2022
The White House (2022)
Shares the White House's proclamation for Pride Month 2022.

The following resources are federally funded grant programs to assist the child welfare workforce with supporting LGBTQIA2S+ families and communities.

Children's Bureau Discretionary Grants: National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care (QIC-LGBTQ2S)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Provides an overview and resources developed by the federally funded quality improvement center.

The following resources are State and local guidelines on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ children, youth, and families.

Appendix K: Support and Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Children and Youth (PDF - 2,083 KB)
Illinois Department of Children and Families (DCFS)
Provides guidance on the minimum standards promoting the safety and well-being of LGBTQ youth in the department's care that all DCFS staff and foster parents must follow.

DHS Child Welfare Procedure Manual: Chapter Five (PDF - 18,277 KB)
Oregon Department of Human Services (2023)
Details administrative guidance to best support and provide appropriate services to children and young adults with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions in Oregon.

Non-Discriminatory Services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQ+) Youth (Division of Youth Services, Policy S 13.9) (PDF - 193 KB)
Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services (2019)
Provides Colorado's policy that establishes operational practices that reinforce the State's commitment to the respect and dignity of youth who identify as LGBTQ+.

Policy #: 2022-02: LGBTQIA+ Nondiscrimination Policy (PDF - 230 KB)
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
Provides Massachusetts Department of Children and Families policy on LGBTQIA+ nondiscrimination.

Safe and Respected: Policy, Best Practices, & Guidance for Serving Transgender, Gender Expansive, & Non-Binary Children and Youth Involved in the Child Welfare, Detention, and Juvenile Justice Systems (PDF - 10,786 KB)
New York City Administration for Children's Services (2017)
Provides guidance on how the child welfare, detention, and juvenile justice systems within New York City can better serve children and youth who are transgender, gender expansive, and nonbinary.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression
Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) (2016)
Outlines the DCYF policy on how all staff, providers, and volunteers offer services and supports to all young people regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.

Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Children & Youth (PDF - 1,447 KB)
Vermont Department of Children and Families (DCF) (2017)
Details DCF's policy on providing a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment and how best to support and affirm children and youth who identify as LGBTQ.

Working With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning/Queer Youth (PDF - 971 KB)
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Offers guidance on building and preserving relationships, increasing engagement, and ensuring placement safety and stability for Minnesotan youth who identify as LGBTQ.

Working With Transgender Youth (PDF - 307 KB)
Connecticut Department of Children and Families (2018)
Provides guidance on the usage of terms within the LBGTQIA2S+ community, including questions and answers around protocols for safety, permanency, and placement of those who identify as such.

These resources are aimed at equipping child- and family-serving agencies with knowledge and training so they may better meet the unique service and support needs of LGBTQIA2S+ children, youth, and families.

Affirming and Supporting LGBTQ Children and Youth in Child Welfare
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Calls attention to harmful practices and highlights healthy approaches for child welfare professionals working with LGBTQ children and youth.

Caring for LGBTQ Children and Youth: A Guide for Child Welfare Providers (PDF - 1.965 KB)
Human Rights Campaign
Calls attention to harmful practices and highlights healthy approaches for child welfare professionals working with LGBTQ children and youth.

Considerations for LGBTQ Children and Youth in Foster Care: Exploring Normalcy as It Relates to P.L. 113?183
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Presents foundational information related to the normalcy needs of LGBTQ children and youth and provides key principles and examples of considerations for agencies.

Creating an Affirming Home for LGBTQ+ Youth as a Foster or Adoptive Parent
AdoptUSKids (2022)
Discusses ways foster and adoptive parents can create a more affirming home environment for youth who identify as LGBTQ+.

Creating LGBTQ Affirming Agencies Video and Guide
Capacity Building Center for States
Presents a 10-minute video and accompanying guide to help States and Territories enhance their capacity to create culturally inclusive environments within child welfare agencies for LGBTQ children, youth, and families.

Culturally Relevant
National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents
Provides insights and strategies from the perspectives of parents whose families are of varying cultures, ethnicities, and gender identities.

Helping LGBTQ Families Navigate the Child Welfare System
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Provides a list of associations, programs, and organizations throughout the United States that support and affirm LGBTQ children, youth, and families through a variety of peer, community, and culture-based social support, education and outreach, and legal support.

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative Curricula Overview
National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative
Offers free online training and additional resources on adoption and mental health competency.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression Resource Guide: For Children's Residential Providers and Caregivers
California Department of Social Services (2020)
Presents information children's residential providers and caregivers can utilize to inform and support best practices when caring for children and youth who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Supporting Transgender Children and Youth Involved in the Court System
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Provides tips to help child welfare professionals, caregivers, judges, and court staff prepare and support transgender children and youth participating in court proceedings.

Tip Sheet on Responding to Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Needs
Division X Technical Assistance (2022)
Provides guidance for State, Tribal, county, and private child welfare programs in reaching out to and addressing the wellness and mental health needs of youth and young adults.

Toolkit to Support Child Welfare Agencies in Serving LGBTQ Children, Youth, and Families
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Includes links to knowledge- and skill-building resources, such as articles, videos, tools, training curricula, tip sheets, information briefs, websites, and other products that can help States and Territories meet the needs of LGBTQ children, youth, and families and create an LGBTQ+

Two-Spirit Resources
National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LBGTQ2S Children and Youth
Provides resources for understanding and supporting youth and young adults who identify as Two-Spirit as well as other gender and sexual identities.

The Biden administration disseminated the following communications to help agencies and others better engage and support children, youth, and families who identify as LGBTQIA2S+.

June 2022: DX Learning Corner
Capacity Building Center for States (2022)
Emphasizes the need for individualized mental health support for LBGTQIA2S+ youth in foster care from the perspective of Division X Training and Technical Assistance consultants.

Spotlight on Supporting LGBTQ+ Young People in Child Welfare
Capacity Building Center for States (2022)
Highlights the individualized need for specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth involved in the foster care system.

LGBTQIA2S+ children, youth, young adults, and families look for signals and information that agencies and individuals are safe spaces and able to serve their needs. Use the following social media posts to share resources on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ children, youth, and families in your community and show your commitment to improving services for all.