Child Welfare Practice with LGBTQ Youth and Families

The actual number of LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system in the United States is unknown, as this information is not collected at the federal level. There are some studies that use state-level and/or population-based samples to estimate these numbers; but they are not representative of the nation as a whole. Moreover, many of these data samples do not include samples of trans and nonbinary youth. Thus, documenting the disproportionality of LGBTQ+ youth in these systems is still in the early phases of development. Social workers and child welfare professionals play essential roles as case managers, therapists, and advocates with youth and families who are LGBTQ+ as they negotiate their lives in these systems. This annotated bibliography provides knowledge and applications that will help social workers and child welfare professionals as they increase their knowledge, competencies, and skills in working with this population of young people and their families. Drawing on classic texts, social workers can understand some of the historical and fundamental knowledge necessary to work with youth and families in child welfare systems who identify as LGBTQ+. Specific knowledge of the settings and situations where LGBTQ+ young people reside and/or are provided services (in-home versus out-of-home care) as well as a discussion about foster care and adoption by LGBT families is critical for understanding the complexity of these people’s lives and situations. Further, sexual orientation and gender identity expression variables intersect with other conditions, such as race/class/ethnicity. These intersections add to the complexity of the LGBTQ+ person’s life and experiences in child welfare systems. As youth who self-identify as LGBTQ+ experience both oppression and resilience in a range of systems, including the family of origin system, so too do families who identify as LGBTQ+ and wish to become foster or adoptive parents. The decision to self-identify and “come out,” the experience of historical and psychological trauma, the degree of social supports, and health and mental health status are some of the issues and barriers many LGBTQ+ individuals experience and overcome as they interface with child welfare systems. Interventions at the clinical level can move youth toward health, while interventions at the macro level can assuage the systemic discrimination and bias that has been present in many child welfare systems. Social workers and child welfare professionals can avail themselves to key journal articles and texts for the latest knowledge and advocacy efforts. Additionally, there are many organizations that provide digital and in-person education, family support, and legal advocacy for the LGBTQ+ youth and families in child welfare systems. Social workers and child welfare professionals are on the frontlines and behind the scenes with their work with the LGBTQ+ youth and families in child welfare. They have an ethical imperative to work to provide support, healing, and advocacy. It my hope that the bibliography will be useful to social workers and child welfare professionals in this endeavor.