Fostering Supports for Youth in Care' Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression through Research-Practice Partnerships

Background & Purpose: Since 2022, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion division of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services partnered with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to lead applied research focused on improving supports for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) among children and youth in care. Few statewide jurisdictions (if any) in the US have conducted systematic research to understand the SOGIE identities of youth in care. Even fewer jurisdictions have gathered youth perspectives on the level of support they have received both through trusted adults and child welfare services. Beginning January 2025, the Illinois Youth SOGIE Supports Survey was introduced to all youth in care aged 12 and older to invite feedback about supports they currently have and those they want to receive. The elaborated 2025 survey built upon results from a shorter survey conducted in 2022 to understand sexual orientation and gender identities of youth in care, and youth recommendations for SOGIE supports.

Methods: In RedCap, the 24 question, anonymous 2025 survey gathered information about the extent to which youth in care aged 12+:

• feel that they have supportive relationships with an adult(s);
• experience affirmation of their SOGIE identities, including: honoring their gender identity, pronouns and chosen names; honoring their desired level of privacy on their SOGIE;
• receive valued and impactful information related to their SOGIE identities, in learning formats that meet their needs;
• improve awareness of resources that DCFS provides to support youths’ gender identity and sexual orientation; and
• access and utilize resources that would better meet their needs, based on their prior experiences with SOGIE supports, if applicable.

Promotion of the survey in Illinois included different marketing strategies in order to obtain a representative sample by region, youth age, gender, and race, e.g., a short, animated informational video featured youth in care and the survey team to introduce and promote the survey.

Results: In 2022, our Illinois team found similar results to researchers from other jurisdictions on the high prevalence of LGBTQIA+ youth in State care compared to children not in care (i.e., 25% in Illinois; 34% in New York City using sample weighting techniques). This 2022 research also found considerable diversity in how youth identify their sexual orientation and gender identity. Among 914 respondents, Illinois youth in care called for non-judgmental and affirming support from adults and peers for their SOGIE. LGBTQIA+ youth, especially reported room for improvement with regard to their placements/caregivers, permanency planning, and opportunities to explore their identities in safe and affirming ways. Results of the 2025 survey will be available by fall 2025.

Conclusions & Implications: Illinois may be the first statewide child welfare agency to conduct a statewide survey on the needs and characteristics of youth in care’ SOGIE, particularly for youth identifying as LGBQTIA+. In this paper presentation, our team will share study findings, address challenges experienced in survey implementation, and highlight information provided from youth in care aged 12+ to design, implement, and improve resources that affirm SOGIE identities of youth in care.