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Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth

This curriculum aims to train professionals in child welfare services to support LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care. It covers guiding principles, risk assessment, family dynamics, and cultural competency. The training addresses safety, family support, and protective factors for LGBTQ youth. Key topics include personal values, mental health concerns, and disparities faced by LGBTQ youth compared to the general population. The curriculum emphasizes empathy, humanity, continuous learning, self-reflection, and intentional inclusivity.

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Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth

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  1. Moving the Margins: Training Curriculum for Child Welfare Services with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care Developed by: Robin McHaelen, MSW Diane E. Elze, PhD, MSW

  2. Training Goals & Objectives • To establish guiding principles and identify core concepts • To clarify and assess personal, religious and cultural views and values regarding LGBTQ youth and young adults and develop strategies that balance personal beliefs with professional responsibilities • To identify issues of risk, challenges and strengths specific to LGBTQ youth and young adult populations, their families, other caregivers and service delivery systems • To develop or enhance professional and cultural competency

  3. Core Elements of this Training • Personal and Religious Values: How do my own beliefs, experiences and values affect the way I serve the LGBT population? • Safety: Nearly all youth identify safety as a primary concern, but only 20% of providers identify safety as one of their top five concerns. • Family: Research shows that the single most significant factor in predicting outcomes for youth is the response of their families.

  4. Group Activity • Three most important people/relationships 2. Three most significant places in your life/history 3. Three most favorite subjects discussed with friends/family 4. Three most enjoyable activities/hobbies

  5. Isolation • Depression • Anxiety • Suicidality • Vulnerability to juvenile justice involvement • Victimization • Substance abuse • Homelessness • Dropping out • Running away • Risky sexual behaviors • Higher risk of HIV infection

  6. LGBT Youth vs. General Youth Population • Only 58% as likely to report being “happy” • Nearly 2x as likely to say they do not have a trusted adult with whom they can discuss personal issues • 30% more likely to use drugs or alcohol • 51% more likely to be verbally harassed at school • 41% more likely to be physically assaulted at school • 30% reported some type of physical violence from family members after coming out • 20-40% of homeless youth are LGBT • 8.4x as likely to have a suicide attempt • 5.9x as likely to report feeling depressed • 3.4x as likely to use drugs or have unprotected sex

  7. Protective Factors for LGBTQ Youth • Family functioning • Family support • Family acceptance • Self-esteem • Educational achievement • Connection to school • Active coping strategies • Self-acceptance • Positive attitudes towards sexual and gender diversity • (Sometimes) Disclosure of sexual orientation

  8. Working Definitions • Gay • Lesbian • Bisexual • Questioning • LGBTQ • Lifestyle • Practicing • Agenda • LGBT Issues • Sex • Intersex • Gender Identity • Gender Expression • Gender Dysphoria • Transgender • Hormonal Support • Sexual Orientation • Homosexual • Heterosexual/Straight

  9. Moving Forward: Building Bridges • Empathize: First address individual experiences and felt needs. • Value Humanity: Never reduce anyone to sexual behavior. • Be Teachable: Commit to learning about unfamiliar topics rather than distancing yourself from them. • Self Evaluate: What messages might you/your agency be communicating that are isolating LGBT clients? • Be Intentional: Create environments and conversations that prioritize safety and inclusion.

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