On Wednesday, June 13, 2018 we hosted our #FosterChat on Twitter (@SaintAorg), in partnership with the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. June’s topic was on LGBTQ+ Foster Youth. According to our Twitter snapshot on Union Metrics, our twitter chat had over 150,000 potential impressions, reaching 5,183 people.
If you missed this month’s #FosterChat, you can join us next month as we discuss Mental Health Support for Foster Youth on Wednesday, July 11 at a NEW time of 4:00 p.m. (CST) with special guest, Rogers Behavioral Health. Below is our recap of this month’s chat.
Q1: What do we need to know about LGBTQ+ youth in foster care?
A1: LGBTQ+ youth are over-represented among the #FosterCare population; they are 2x more likely to use alcohol and drugs, be verbally abused, experience physical assault, and be excluded from by peers. #FosterChat
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
A1: They need the same love and compassion as any youth in out of home care. Some may be rejected by their birth families, victimized by the system, or scared to discuss their sexuality for a variety of reasons. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 1 here!
Q2: What additional adverse experiences may LGBTQ+ foster youth be confronted with?
A2.b: Many of these LGBTQ+ youth live at the intersection of multiple identities and thus experience multiple forms of discrimination including on the basis of race, class, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. #FosterChat
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
A2.1: LGBTQ+ youth are at high risk for bullying in the community, school or church. They may also be the subject of allegations from other youth in group home settings, or be discriminated against when looking for placements. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A2.2: Trans youth may be at risk for placement in a setting that is not a match for the gender they identify as. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 2 here!
Q3: How can we work with birth families to support reunification efforts with LGBTQ+ foster youth?
A3: We need to assist in increasing levels of acceptance among family members and other supportive adults in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
Be aware of beliefs, prejudices and gaps in knowledge surrounding issues of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. #FosterChat
A3: We should support LGBTQ+ youth as we do all other youth in care. Additionally we can connect foster and birth families with community support groups, therapists and other parents who have made the journey to acceptance. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A3. Educating parents on issues that youth who identify as LGBTQ+ face on a daily basis and how the parent can help and support their child. #fosterchat
— Stephanie Allen (@mrsstepallen81) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 3 here!
Q4: How can we support LGBTQ+ foster youth within the community?
A4.2: Respect the confidentiality of the foster children and youth in your care, while helping them to decide whether or not to come out and to whom. #FosterChat
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
A4: Advocate and support local safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth. Be sure they have access to supportive/affirming information and resources such as the LGBTQ+ Community Center, LGBTQ+ support groups and attend local events, and positive places with our youth. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A4: Recruit more LGBTQ+ foster families. Better educate/train foster families to help them understand the needs, challenges, and resources available to our LGBTQ+ youth. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 4 here!
Q5: How can we protect LGBTQ+ foster youth in out-of-home care?
A5: Child welfare agencies must actively assess the readiness of foster parents to affirm LGBTQ+ youth/include LGBTQ+ issues in training
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
Regardless of personal beliefs, it’s our responsibility to provide a safe, nurturing & non-judgmental environment for LGBTQ+ youth #FosterChat
A5.2: Educate and assess group homes to ensure they are also affirming and supportive safe places for LGBTQ+ youth. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A5. We can protect them by having homes available that are open to accepting them just as they are. #fosterchat
— Stephanie Allen (@mrsstepallen81) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 5 here!
Q6: How can foster parents create a welcoming home for LGBTQ+ foster youth?
A6.2: Sending clear signals to youth that you are an afirming person will go a long way in easing their fears and making them feel comfortable to come out if and when they decide to do so. #FosterChat
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
A6.1: Foster parents should have a zero tolerance policy for bullying and discrimination within the home. By respecting the youth’s wishes in terms of what they want to be called, how they identify, the clothing they wear, etc. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A6.2: Attend LGBTQ+ events and educating themselves on language, topics and challenges facing the youth. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A6: Talk openly about the positive attributes of being yourself and living openly and honestly. Advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and support diversity in everyday conversations. #fosterchat
— Lamar X (@LamarXcks) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 6 here!
Q7: If a youth in your care discloses their LGBTQ+ identity, how can you show your support?
A7.b: Family acceptance is an important predictor of how well an LGBTQ+ youth will fare as an adult. #FosterChat
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
A7.1: By saying “I support you” and doing all you can to make sure he or she has access to supportive and affirming resources. Identify LGBTQ+ competent providers such as therapists. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A7.2: Have an open & loving home, an environment where a child could feel comfortable disclosing. Don’t act shocked. Ask them what they need. Let them know they can come to you with questions or for support. Listen, validate, and demonstrate acceptance. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A7 Listen to them, show support in your words and actions and that you love them just as they are. #FosterChat
— Socialworkcommunity (@socialworkcomm) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 7 here!
Q8: What resources are available to LGBTQ+ foster youth?
A8: There are many rescources available to LGBTQ+ foster youth (and all LGBTQ+ youth), such as the @TrevorProject, the GLBT National Youth Talkline (800-246-PRIDE [7743]), and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender National Hotline (800-843-GLNH [4564]). #FosterChat
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
https://t.co/bMusjlJUAI The Mke LGBT Community Center is dedicated to serving the needs of LGBTQ people and to making the Greater Milwaukee area safer and more inclusive. We focus on anti-violence, healthy relationships, counseling, Youth & Elder Adult programming.#FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A8.2: https://t.co/70cJf3dLkM GSAFE increases the capacity of LGBTQ+ students, educators, and families to create schools in Wisconsin where all youth thrive. #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A8.3: https://t.co/TWx0v68rgX FORGE is a progressive organization whose mission is to support, educate and advocate for the rights and lives of transgender individuals and SOFFAs (Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies). #FosterChat
— Coalition for CYF (@CoalitionforCYF) June 13, 2018
A good local resource for youth is Diverse and Resilient at https://t.co/oVT1tIhLzj #fosterchat
— Lamar X (@LamarXcks) June 13, 2018
See all the great answers to question 8 here!
Thank you joining us for this month’s chat; we look forward to seeing you again in July! Please note the #FosterChat time will be changing to 4:00 p.m. (CST)!
Learn more about becoming a foster parent at GrowHope.net!
A big thank you to our continued partner, @CoalitionforCYF and our special guest host, @CCFMKE for being a part of today's #FosterChat on LGBTQ+ Foster Youth!
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) June 13, 2018
Thank you to everyone that participated during the past hour; keep an eye out for our recap tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/s2mPxith9j
