You are on this page: Resources for Adult Caregivers of LGBTQ Youth
Whether you are a biological parent, caregiver, kinship, foster or adoptive family, it is critical to create a supportive home environment when raising an LGBTQ youth. For more information on the vulnerabilities of LGBTQ youth in foster care, and the importance of being an affirming adult, please see the Research and Data page located in the left sidebar.
Note: External links are provided for the convenience of the user. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the Office of Children and Family Services, as noted in the disclaimer. When users click an external link and leave the OCFS website, they should be aware that they are subject to the privacy and security policies of the external site.
The following resources have been created for families raising LGBTQ youth:
- Leading With Pride to Support LGBTQIA2S+ Youth and Families: Created by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Children’s Bureau and the Child Welfare Information Gateway RESOURCE COLLECTION JUNE 2023.
- The Family Acceptance Project has done research with families raising LGBTQ youth. Research,and guidance is available in A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children.
- The Child Welfare League of America has partnered with Lambda Legal to create a toolkit, Getting Down to Basics: Tools to Support LGBTQ Youth in Care, to educate families, other adults supporting youth, and practitioners on working with LGBTQ Youth in Care.
- The Federal Children’s Bureau created guidance for foster families with LGBTQ youth: Supporting Your LGBTQ Youth: A Guide for Foster Parents.
Resources Regarding Transgender, Gender Nonconforming and Nonbinary Youth
The Office of Children and Family Services recognizes and supports the gender identity of all youth. It is critical to provide resources that are affirming and supportive, especially for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) youth. Within the LGBTQ+ community, transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary (TGNC) youth face increased risks for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. It is important to better understand TGNC youth gender identity and expression, inform youth about protections they have against gender-identity discrimination, and to understand their needs and experiences related to gender transition.
The resources below introduce TGNC gender transition through videos, webinars and education on gender transition and pronoun usage, and information from TGNC health programming worldwide. Further learning for New York State employees about Gender Identity can be found on the Statewide Learning Management System under the title "Gender Identity Toolkit."
- Video of Stella Keating at the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Equality Act
- Ted Talk by TGNC Woman Raised in Foster Care in New York
- Webinars by UCLA on Gender Identity and Health
- Webinars by the Fenway Health Institute on Gender Identity and Health
- Human Rights Campaign Educational Webinars
- The World Professional Association for Transgender Health: Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Gender Dysphoria (pg. 10)
- Your Trans Kid: A Guide for Parents: The Transgender Family Handbook offers 144 specific suggestions, from trans young people and their loved ones, that parents may find helpful.
If you are looking for local resources, the following directories can help you identify your nearest LGBTQ Center or LGBTQ-affirming service provider:
- Look up your nearest LGBTQ Center on Center Link, a nationwide directory of LGBTQ Centers. LGBTQ Centers may provide the following services:
- Direct access or referral to LGBTQ-affirming mental and medical health providers, legal services, nonprofit programming, housing/shelter needs, etc.
- Cultural competency training for agencies, districts, schools, etc.
- LGBTQ-affirming and informed mental health professionals on staff
- Ongoing programming for youth and adults
- Consultation services to assist in program development or incident resolution
- Find your nearest LGBTQ Health and Human Services provider online from this New York State LGBT Health and Human Services Network directory, maintained by The Center in New York City.
- If you are in New York City, LGBTQ-affirming providers are also listed at the NYC Comptroller’s LGBTQ Guide of Services. The directory includes different categories of service types, specific LGBTQ identities, an interactive map, and a search function.
- For information on policies protecting LGBTQ people in New York State, please visit the Policies and Laws page located in the left sidebar.