{"id":35857,"date":"2025-11-07T11:02:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T19:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casey.org\/?p=32249"},"modified":"2026-07-31T21:14:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T21:14:20","slug":"reclutamiento-de-familias-de-jovenes-lgbtq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casey.org\/es\/recruiting-families-lgbtq-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfC\u00f3mo pueden las agencias de protecci\u00f3n infantil reclutar y capacitar a familias de apoyo para los j\u00f3venes LGBTQ+ en acogida temporal?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Children belong with families<\/a> but LGBTQ+1<\/sup><\/a> youth face some unique challenges when it comes to family.2<\/sup><\/a> More than half of LGBTQ+ youth report experiencing a negative reaction<\/a> to their identity from a parent. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care, in part, because negative parental reactions to their sexual orientation and\/or gender identity result in abandonment, rejection, violence, or other serious harms. LGBTQ+ youth also are overrepresented in congregate care, which is an indicator that many child welfare jurisdictions are struggling to recruit and maintain safe and supportive family-based placements for LGBTQ+ youth. Some evidence<\/a> suggests these challenges and concerns may be compounded for LGBTQ+ youth of color.3<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

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Federal law requires state and tribal child protection agencies to ensure all children in foster care receive \u201csafe and proper\u201d care that addresses their health and well-being needs.4<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0For LGBTQ+ youth, that means placement with kin or a non-kin foster caregiver who supports their identity, has the knowledge and skills required to meet their developmental needs, and is committed to helping them access affirming services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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People sometimes think LGBTQ+ youth are going through phases, but they\u2019re on a journey. They\u2019re figuring themselves out; it\u2019s not always going to be clear-cut. It\u2019s invalidating and harmful to say to someone, \u2018No, you\u2019re wrong,\u2019 when they tell you who they are. Instead, ask questions with openness and humility. That\u2019s how we can learn and better understand queer youth.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

— Rowan Grae, Former Foster Youth, Indiana<\/cite><\/figcaption>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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Recruitment strategies<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

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Child protection agencies must employ a combination of diligent family finding and targeted family engagement<\/a> to ensure every LGBTQ+ youth who enters foster care is placed in a safe and supportive family environment. For more information on how child protection agencies can support the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth, see: What are some safety considerations for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care?<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Before engaging in a population-specific recruitment strategy, such as for LGBTQ+ youth, agencies should conduct a review of internal policies and practices<\/strong> to ensure that licensing, staff development, community engagement, messaging, and other areas are welcoming and supportive of both kin and LGBTQ+ caregivers. Many resources are available to help:<\/p>\n