Event Calendar

Join us for an informational meeting on how to best serve the LGBTQ youth in Foster Care.

Nearly 400,000 children and youth are in foster care in the United States. These youth have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Data on the sexual orientation and gender identity of foster youth is limited since there is no clear mandate to track this information alongside other required data collection on demographics such as age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The research that is available, however, has consistently shown that LGBTQ youth are over-represented among the foster care population. Many LGBTQ youth enter foster care after experiencing family rejection because of their gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

The unacceptable reality is that LGBTQ youth- after facing trauma and maltreatment from their families or caregivers- too often enter a foster care system that is ill-equipped to competently meet their needs and subjects them to further bias and discrimination. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Children, Youth, and Families has called on all of those who work with youth in foster care to do better. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Children, Youth, and Families has called on all of those who work with youth in foster care to do better, stressing "every child and youth who is unable to live with his or her parents is entitled to a safe, loving, and affirming foster care placement, irrespective of the young person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression."

Each one of us can do our part to improve the experiences of LGBTQ youth in America's foster care system. Let us come together to find a solution!

Seating is limited, so reserve your seat now!