June is LGBTQ+ Awareness Month

g p y p trauma associated with leaving their families of origin and increasing the chances of homelessness. For example, 78% of these youth in one study were removed or ran away from foster placements because of the caregiver’s hostility toward their sexual orientation or gender identity. The streets are home to a disproportionate number with some estimates suggesting that the percentage of youth who are homeless and LGBTQ+ could be as high as 40 - 50%. Furthermore , LGBTQ+ youth of color are disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare system and stay longer, while also having an increased risk of experiencing discrimination and violence compared to their peers.

H O W W E S E R V E L G B T Q + Y O U T H

By Alyson Ferrante, Courtney James & Sandra Meza

Providing services to LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) youth in a trauma-informed and culturally competent way is essential for their overall well-being and quality of life. Child Advocates of Fort Bend provides such services and resources in many different areas and ways. We know this population faces unique challenges and experiences that can lead to mental health issues. According to research findings from The Trevor Project (2022), compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers, LGBTQ+ youth are at an increased risk for experiencing trauma, such as discrimination, social isolation, rejection, bullying, and violence due to their sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity. These experiences can result in anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, self-harm, PTSD, substance abuse, and other mental health issues.

While in foster care, there are several ways our CASA Volunteers are advocating to ensure that the needs of LGBTQ+ are met. Our advocacy starts with outreach, recruitment, and training. We actively recruit volunteers with diverse backgrounds to serve this population and advocate within the community to raise awareness about the needs of this vulnerable population. For current CASA Volunteers, we also provide continuing education and training opportunities for advocates to learn about LGBTQ+ topics and best practices within this advocacy.

In working directly with these youth, one of the most important things a CASA Volunteer can do is to provide a safe space for them to feel valued, respected, and affirmed Our volunteers advocate for youth to be in appropriate placements that affirm their identity and will be a proactive support in their life Volunteers also ensure youth have access to LGBTQ+ resources, communities and preferred normalcy activities.

Children and young people who receive services from the CAC vary widely in regard to sexual preference and identity. Our staff ensures that we are knowledgeable, educated, and understanding when it comes to the differences amongst all the clients that walk through our doors. We understand higher risk factors could come from fear of disclosing, shame, belief their sexual orientation caused the abuse, or even belief that being abused by someone of the same sex alters their personal sexual preference. As staff who work with these children, we make sure to provide a safe environment to ensure that a child feels comfortable without any judgement. It has occurred where a child comes in for a forensic interview and discloses their sexual orientation for the first time. Our Clinical Family Advocates sit with the child or teen and talk through this disclosure and identify supports and safe people in their life that they can talk to about it.

For our Clinical Family Advocates, they have the opportunity of working with parents or caregivers who are looking for resources and support while raising a child who may be exploring their sexual preferences or identity. We can provide resources and determine if therapy would be appropriate for the child, as well as the parent, to allow for space that is designated to talk through feelings, changes, and adjustments as time goes on.

In our Therapy Department, it is imperative that a safe, open, nonjudgmental space is always provided so that youth can feel supported and encouraged to live their true authentic selves According to research by the National Alliance on Mental Illness

RESOURCESFORLGBTQ+YOUTH:

THETREVORPROJECT:

AsupportnetworkforLGBTQyouththatprovidescrisisinterventionand suicideprevention, whichalsoincludesa24-hourtextline

THEAMERICANPSYCHOLOGICALASSOCIATION:

ProvideseducationalandsupportresourcesonarangeofLGBTQtopics

THELGBTNATIONALHELPCENTER:

Offers confidential peer support connections for LGBTQ youth through phone,text,andonlinechat

TEXASYOUTHCONNECTION

DFPS’swebsiteforyouthhasinformationonsafety,sexualhealth,suicide prevention,resourcesandmore

SUPERIORHEALTHPLANRESOURCESAVAILABLEFORLGBTQYOUTH