Building Stronger Relationships between Caregivers and LGBTQ2S Youth in Foster Care

Background/ Purpose: LGBTQ2S youth are disproportionally represented in the foster care system. Many end up in the foster care system due to family rejection based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Often this rejection that landed youth in care continues inside the foster care system, as youth are often placed in discriminatory or unprepared foster families and group homes, in the care of organizations intolerant of LGBTQ2S individuals, or in more highly restrictive placements than is necessary due to a lack of safe and tolerant options. Moreover, LGBTQ2S youth are often served by social workers who have received no specialized training on how to effectively work with LGBTQ2S youth. Despite growing interest in making system improvements to better serve LGBTQ2S youth in care, there are no known evidence-based approaches to improving the placement stability and well-being of these young people.

Methods: As part of a larger study to test the effectiveness of an evidence-based parenting intervention adapted for use with foster families, we developed a new intervention module specifically targeted to support relationship building between LGBTQ2S youth in foster care and their caregivers. This presentation summarizes findings from focus groups with LGBTQ2S youth with foster care experience, foster caregivers, and child welfare workers to inform development of content for this new module, and in particular to answer the following research question: what strategies are recommended for building better relationships between LGBTQ2S youth and their foster caregivers? Focus group transcripts were coded and analyzed by three researchers using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Eight organizing themes emerge from this analysis: 1) creating a safe, accepting environment for youth to thrive; 2) caregiver/ youth interactions around sensitive topics and youths’ identities; 3) relationship building through shared activities; 4) caregivers interacting with society in youths’ best interest; 5)  caregiver self-work; 6) youth self-work; 7) working with people where they are; and 8) programmatic strategies.

Conclusions and Implications: Following a discussion of our findings, we will share information about the module materials we developed based on these findings, which include a series of readings, videos, and activities designed to educate caregivers and teens about fundamental facts about LGBTQ2S youth; provide opportunities for caregivers and teens to connect around identity; address personal safety; and promote safety and well-being.