Under the Radar: Exploring Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) Young People Transitioning from Foster Care to Emerging Adulthood

A growing body of research finds that young people who leave foster care as adults are uniquely disenfranchised and suffer from a lack of support as a result of their involvement with the child welfare system. This is of significant concern, as studies indicate having access to supportive networks is critical for achieving independence in adulthood among transitioning youth. Although all former foster youth are at risk of support-related challenges, these issues may be exacerbated for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) transitioning youth who also experience rejection and mistreatment associated with their sexual and gender minority statuses.

Despite these concerns, research focused on this vulnerable population is extremely limited. Moreover, existing studies have not yet explored support provisions for LGBTQ-identified foster youth or their relationships with the individuals in their support networks. Such lack of knowledge poses limits to our understanding about the needs and challenges these youth face during this critical time and prevents us from identifying and developing more appropriate protections/services.

To begin to address this gap, this study combined conceptual and methodological features of social constructivism and community-based research to explore LGBTQ-identified young peoples’ perspectives and experiences with the support they received, as they transitioned from foster care to adulthood in Wisconsin. Three aims were addressed 1) identify and describe LGBTQ-identified young peoples’ support networks and the kinds of support provided to them, 2) distinguish any barriers or facilitators to establishing/maintaining supportive relationships and the role this played in youths’ receipt of care/services, 3) identify whether there are any specific support-related needs/challenges for LGBTQ-identified transitioning young people, including recommendations for addressing these issues.

Participants were recruited statewide from foster care and independent living programs in Wisconsin using an iterative sampling and analysis process. In-depth interviews and construction of a graphic visualization strategy called an ecomap were conducted with 21 LGBTQ-identified young people, aged 17-21, that were currently in foster care, and likely to exit the child welfare system as adults. Using NVivo software, a directed content analysis approach was used to identify themes and patterns in the data.

Participants were an average of 17.95 years-old, 81% (n=17) identified as racial/ethnic minorities, 76% (n=16) were living in urban settings, and over half (n=12) identified as gender minorities (57%). Analysis of interview and ecomap data revealed that many participants lacked access to safe and affirming supports/services, and faced challenges navigating their relationships with the providers in their networks (e.g., social workers, foster parents). Additionally, youth expressed unmet needs around safety, socioemotional wellbeing, and identity development (e.g., suicide prevention, health care) and offered recommendations for improvement (e.g., safe spaces, LGBTQ-identified mentors).

Results from this study suggest LGBTQ-identified transitioning youth have distinct needs and challenges that are not being addressed in Wisconsin, and provides suggestions for promoting more supportive resources and relationships for this population. Findings also help to build a framework of knowledge from which to develop further hypotheses and explore other important issues related to how LGBTQ-identified youth are faring in our nation’s child welfare system.