LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care “We don’t exactly get the welcome wagon.” Presenter Michael Carr, MSW DCS Behavioral Health & Appeals Coordinator GLSEN Phoenix Board Member and Trainer/Facilitator Objectives To understand the unique needs of LGBTQ youth involved in the child welfare system. Provide supervisors with the knowledge and resources to provide supervision to staff who have LGBTQ youth on their case load. To identify programmatic & policy barriers to effective interventions with LGBTQ youth. DCYF Core Values Service Social justice Dignity and worth of the person Importance of human relationships Integrity Competence NASW Code of Ethics Alphabet Soup Entry into the system  Rejected by their families due to sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.  Rejected by their families for reasons unrelated to their sexual orientation/gender identity but upon closer examination were associated with them.  Youth who disclose their sexual orientation/gender identity while in foster care. Mallon, G.P. (1998) We don’t exactly get the welcome wagon: The experience of gay and lesbian adolescents in child welfare system. New York: Columbia University Press Protective Factors for LGBTQ Youth           Family functioning Family support Family acceptance Self-esteem Educational achievement Connection to school/community Active coping strategies Self-acceptance Positive attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender diversity (Sometimes) Disclosure of sexual orientation to parent Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers. LGBTQ Youth Issues in Foster Care Victimization Confidentiality Violations/Disclosure Dilemmas Differential Treatment Lack of Cultural Competence Among Providers Lack of Family-Centered Services Lack of Permanency Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Victimization Nicky’s Story  “Tradition bound me. Tradition kept me silent.” Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Foster Youth Tell Their Stories. National Center for Lesbian Rights Victimization  Victimization can occur in multiple spheres and in different ways: Family Placement Systems Professionals Confidentiality Violations / Disclosure Dilemmas Danielle’s Story  “I slept with silence.” Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Foster Youth Tell Their Stories. National Center for Lesbian Rights Confidentiality Violations/Disclosure Dilemmas  Staff persons disclose a youth’s sexual orientation or gender identity to foster, biological and adoptive parents and/or the youth’s peers without the youth’s consent.  Lack of policies that address confidentiality around sexual orientation and gender identity, including policies on written documentation. Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Confidentiality Violations/Disclosure Dilemmas  Decision-making around disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity.  Unsupportive and negative responses to a youth’s disclosure by professionals, peers and caregivers.  Lack of skill in handling a youth’s disclosures in group settings Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Differential Treatment Jeremy aka Remy’s Story  “How is a sixteen-year-old supposed to know what no one ever talks about?” Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Foster Youth Tell Their Stories. National Center for Lesbian Rights Differential Treatment Different standards may be applied to LGBTQ youth around dating and the pursuit of romantic relationships. An assumption is often made that LGBTQ youth are “predators” if they are caught engaging in sexual behaviors with a same-sex peer regardless of age. LGBTQ youth receive fewer services. Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Differential Treatment LGBTQ youth are often separated from their siblings, have less visitation with family, and rarely have permanency as a goal. Lack of non-discrimination policies with enumerated categories allows for institutional discrimination. Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Lack of Cultural Competence Captain’s Story  “I am black. I am woman. I am queer. Those three sisters make me the man I am today.” Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Foster Youth Tell Their Stories. National Center for Lesbian Rights Lack of Cultural Competence Staff persons lack knowledge and sensitivity on how to support LGBTQ youth in their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Staff often lack knowledge of LGBTQ resources. Transgender youth may not be allowed to use their preferred name. Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Lack of Cultural Competence Transgender youth are prohibited from dressing and grooming in ways that are congruent with their gender identity. Professionals may not know how to talk with biological, adoptive or foster parents about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Lack of Family Centered-Practice Darryn’s Story  “I found myself in the home of my foster mother, Betty. I felt respected, heard, and most of all, appreciated.” Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Foster Youth Tell Their Stories. National Center for Lesbian Rights Lack of Family-Centered Services.  Many programs serve LGBTQ youth as individuals rather than serving them within the context of their families.  LGBTQ youth are often placed in congregate care due to a lack of connection with family of origin and a shortage of LGBTQ-friendly foster homes. \ Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Lack of Permanency Keli’s Story  “Through it all I was scared to say anything and teased when I did. I always knew there was something different about me.” Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Foster Youth Tell Their Stories. National Center for Lesbian Rights Lack of permanency Permanency is seldom the goal for LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ youth are at a greater risk of a lack of permanency due to a lack of connection with birth families. Congregate care settings decrease the likelihood of permanence. Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Where do we go from here? How can case managers help? Don’t assume. Personal versus professional. Treat LGBTQ youth with the same dignity and expectations. How can case managers help? Be aware of language. Don’t stereotype LGBTQ youth. Create a positive physical environment. Know what to do if a client discloses to you that he or she is LGBTQ. Seek out safe, affirming placements. How can case managers help? Be prepared to work effectively with transgender youth. Become familiar with the resources available in your community. Provide support and resources to others in the youth’s life. How can case managers help? Ensure that LGBTQ youth receive developmentally appropriate sexual health services. Advocate for supportive, competent care for LGBTQ youth. References • Breaking the Silence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Foster Youth Tell Their Stories. National Center for Lesbian Rights • Getting Down to Basics: Tools to Support LGBTQ Youth in Care. Lambda Legal, Child Welfare League of America • Mallon, G.P. (1998) We don’t exactly get the welcome wagon: The experience of gay and lesbian adolescents in child welfare system. New York: Columbia University Press • Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care. National Association of Social Workers Resources  DCYF Connects on the intranet Email [email protected] Check with your RBHA for training opportunities Webinars are available from LGBTconsortium.com Q Line 24 hour support helpline. Local 480 736-4925 (Toll Free) 800-527-4747 In Memory of Maurice Green July 14, 1983 – March 21, 2006 • Maurice, a former foster youth, was very active in musical theater, performing in “The Wiz” at the Herberger Theater and in other shows around the Valley, made it to the top 30 finalists on the hit television show American Idol. He loved to dance, majoring in it at Phoenix and South Mountain Community Colleges. Thank You!