COVID-19 and Foster Care: A Snapshot of LGBTQ Youth Experiences

Background and Purpose:

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ youth in foster care. These youths often face amplified risks due to their marginalized status. This study aims to explore the multi-dimensional challenges experienced by LGBTQ youth in foster care during the pandemic, encompassing housing disruptions, educational setbacks, employment hurdles, financial difficulties, and mental health challenges. A secondary objective includes contrasting their experiences with other demographic groups to highlight unique adversities.

Methods:

This study utilized a comprehensive quantitative analysis employing data from the Opportunity Passport Participant Surveys (OPPS), which gathered responses from 5,585 foster care participants across 16 sites managed by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Data collection occurred in November 2022, providing a timely snapshot of the impacts during the pandemic. We conducted binary logistic regression analysis to identify the effects of the pandemic on various outcomes such as housing stability, educational attainment, employment status, and mental health among LGBTQ youth compared to their non-LGBTQ peers. Predictors included race/ethnicity, LGBTQ status, and interaction terms to explore intersectional impacts. This method allowed us to assess the relative odds of experiencing adverse outcomes associated with each predictor while controlling for confounding variables like age and prior foster care experiences. The regression models were fitted using robust standard errors to account for potential heteroscedasticity and clustering within the dataset. Additionally, we implemented a range of diagnostic tests to ensure the reliability and validity of the results, including tests for multicollinearity, model specification errors, and the potential influence of outliers.

Results:

The analysis revealed that LGBTQ youth in foster care were significantly more likely to experience housing instability, educational disruptions, and financial hardships compared to their non-LGBTQ counterparts. Particularly, LGBTQ youth of color exhibited the most pronounced disparities. Moreover, the role of institutional support emerged as pivotal, with effective caseworker interventions notably mitigating some of the adverse effects on mental health.

Conclusions and Implications:

The study underscores the critical need for tailored interventions and comprehensive policy reforms that specifically address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ youth in foster care during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The stark disparities observed, especially among LGBTQ youth of color, necessitate robust initiatives that tackle deep-rooted structural biases and enhance support mechanisms. Policymakers and practitioners are urged to utilize these findings to develop evidence-based strategies that ensure the resilience and well-being of LGBTQ youth in the foster care system. Future research should continue to monitor these disparities over time and examine the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing these gaps.