Teresa DeCrescenzo

MSW ’78

Teresa DeCrescenzo made an indelible and lasting impact on youth in foster and probation care, effected long-term systems change in the delivery of service to LGBTQ+ youth, and secured basic rights and equal access for the LGBTQ+ community. She was the founder and executive director of GLASS (Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services) in West Hollywood, California, which opened its doors in 1984 and was the first milieu-based residential treatment program for at-risk gay and lesbian teens in the United States. Established during a time when homosexuality was still identified as mental illness and criminal behavior, GLASS served as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth caught in the child protection system and provided a seamless service delivery system for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

Over a period of 25 years, GLASS grew to include more than 150 employees, served thousands of LGBTQ+ youth, and included programs such as a mobile medical unit, nine therapeutic group homes, three foster family programs, vocational training and transitional living. It established the national standard for best practices for LGBTQ+ youth services. GLASS received numerous awards, including recognition by the United States Congress for its Mobile Health Outreach Project as a program of national significance. DeCrescenzo lobbied for LGBTQ+ families to have equal access to provide foster care and become adoptive parents. She demanded that Cedars-Sinai Hospital recognize same-sex relationships on its admissions forms, leading to a statewide regulatory change requiring all hospitals in California to honor same-sex relationships.

She has been honored with the Knee/Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers for impact on national mental health policy, and the Lewis Hine Award from the National Child Labor Committee for distinguished service to children.