Articles for the Topic "LGBTQI2-S Youth"

Learning from the Field: Listening Tour of Programs Serving Youth who are LGBTQI2-S and Experiencing Homelessness (Draft)

2011-01-28T02:36:48

It is estimated that between 20% and 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S). SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center conducted a Listening Tour of programs across the country to better understand best practices for serving this group. SAMHSA’s HRC seeks your feedback on the Draft Listening Tour Report, to help capture “what works” when serving LGBTQI2-S youth who are homeless. As a national training and technical assistance center supporting homeless service providers, we are committed to advancing cultural competence and building the knowledge base of best practices for serving youth who are LGBTQI2-S and experiencing homelessness.

Learning from the Field: Expert Panel on Youth who are LGBTQI2-S and Homeless: Summary of Proceedings

2010-05-12T01:13:08

The SAMHSA/CMHS Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) convened an Expert Panel to better understand the needs of youth who are experiencing homelessness and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S). The Expert Panel also discussed youth who are homeless and perceived as LGBTQI2-S, as the research demonstrates a clear level of vulnerability and adversity resulting from the perception of sexual identity. Various stakeholders have identified an urgent need to increase capacity to serve this vulnerable group. As a national training and technical assistance center supporting homeless service providers, the HRC is committed to advancing cultural competence and building the knowledge base of best practices for serving youth who are LGBTQI2-S and experiencing homelessness.

National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth

2009-04-23T09:10:04

This policy brief by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Lambda Legal, the National Network for Youth, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights provides a brief overview of homelessness among LBGT youth. It makes recommendations about improving practice, improving organizational culture, and improving residential services. (Authors)

HRC Webcast Resources: The First Step is an Open Mind: Best Practices for Working with LGBTQ Youth

2009-05-27T01:36:08

This FREE HRC webcast, which aired on May 27, 2009, provided an overview of the issues that LGBTQ youth face. The presenters discussed the best practice recommendations recently released by NAEH and implementation of these practices at the Ali Forney Center in New York City.

On the Streets: The Federal Response to Gay and Transgender Homeless Youth

2010-10-18T12:53:42

This report offers a blueprint for approaching this work. In the pages that follow, we will examine gay and transgender youth homelessness against the backdrop of overall youth homelessness in America and show the extreme levels of discrimination and violence many gay and transgender youth face at home, in school, in youth and adult homeless shelters and on the streets. We will specifically examine the many failing safety nets for these youth, and then demonstrate why our recommendations, if implemented, would do much to help ensure that all youth have a chance at a happy and healthy future. (Authors)

Getting Down to Basics: Toolkit to Support LGBTQ Youth in Care

2011-02-01T10:14:56

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning ("LGBTQ") young people are in America’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems in disproportionate numbers. Like all young people in care, they have the right to be safe and protected. All too often, however, they are misunderstood and mistreated, leading to an increased risk of negative outcomes. This tool kit offers practical tips and information to ensure that LGBTQ young people in care receive the support and services they deserve. Developed in partnership by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) and Lambda Legal, the tool kit gives guidance on an array of issues affecting LGBTQ youth and the adults and organizations who provide them with out-of-home care. (Authors)

CWLA Best Practice Guidelines for Serving LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care

2011-02-01T10:01:51

First guidelines for policy and practice for serving LGBT youth in child welfare and juvenile justice settings. Written by experts in the field and published by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) as part of their Best Practices series, this book is based on the work of the Model Standards Project and research from the Family Acceptance Project informed and framed the guidelines.

Culture and Trauma Brief: Trauma Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning Youth

2011-02-01T10:29:01

More and more, today’s youth are self identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or openly questioning (LGBTQ) their sexual attractions and gender identity. There is an urgent need to ensure that comprehensive and culturally competent social and mental health services and resources are available for LGBTQ youth. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network promotes culturally competent trauma treatments and practices for children and adolescents exposed to trauma, and disseminates its findings through factsheets, culture and trauma briefs, and reports.

Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT Young Adults

2011-02-01T09:49:28

Transitioning Our Shelters: a Guide To Making Homeless Shelters Safe for Transgender People

2007-03-28T03:27:34

The problem of unsafe shelters for transgender people is pervasive. Transitioning our Shelters is a guide designed for shelters that want to provide safe shelter for transgender people but are not sure how to do so. A joint publication of the Task Force and the National Coalition for the Homeless, the Guide provides many answers to concerns about safety and privacy for transgender residents based on successes at real shelters across the country, the bulk of which are addressed without monetary expenditures. (Authors)

Practice Brief 1: Providing Services and Supports for Youth who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, or Two-Spirit

2008-07-10T05:30:22

This Practice Brief is for policymakers, administrators, and providers seeking to learn more about (1) youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) and (2) how to develop culturally and linguistically competent programs and services to meet their needs and preferences. (Authors)

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth: An Epidemic of Homelessness

2007-08-21T03:03:14

Estimates of homeless youth who identify as GLBTQ range from 20-40%, compared to 3-5% of the total U.S. population. Ray and contributing authors have compiled a comprehensive report on the state of homeless GLBTQ youth for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The report covers the literature on topics including the state of youth homelessness today, federal response to youth homelessness, and the experiences of homeless youth. Several exemplary programs that serve homeless GLBTQ youth are highlighted.

Supporting LGBT Youth and Their Families: The Family Acceptance Project

2009-07-30T03:31:12

New research findings by Caitlin Ryan of the Family Acceptance Project show that 30% of families rejected their child when they learned of their sexual orientation. Many of these youth are at high risk for becoming homeless. Among youth who are homeless, roughly 20% identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). These youth are at a disproportionately high risk of physical assault and sexual exploitation. Interventions offered by the Family Acceptance Project seek to encourage family acceptance and prevent homelessness among LGBT youth.

A Life-Changing Sign: A Safe Zone for GLBT Youth Brings Hope

2010-01-25T05:19:00

Qamar is a youth counselor for Avenues For Homeless Youth in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He provides support and outreach to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) youth, as well as heterosexual youth, who are grappling with homelessness and lack of family acceptance. He shares his personal experiences of searching for a home and acceptance of his gender identity with the HRC’s Wendy Grace Evans.

Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults

2009-07-28T03:58:04

This paper examines specific family rejecting reactions to sexual orientation and gender expression during adolescence as predictors of current health problems in a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. The study establishes a clear link between specific parental and caregiver rejecting behaviors and negative health problems in young lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Providers who serve this population should assess and help educate families about the impact of rejecting behaviors. Counseling families, providing anticipatory guidance, and referring families for counseling and support can help make a critical difference in helping decrease risk and increasing well-being for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.

WANTED: Genuinely Nice People Who Care About Youth

2010-01-11T02:14:49

Among youth who are homeless, roughly 20% identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT). These youth are at a disproportionately high risk of physical assault, sexual exploitation, suicide, and substance use. The GLBT Host Home is a grassroots program in Minnesota. The program recruits, screens, trains, and supports adults to be host families for GLBT youth in need of safe and stable housing.

LGBTQI2-S: Cultural & Linguistic Competence Related Web Sites

2010-04-22T09:15:15

The TA Partnership's LGBTQI2-S Learning Community (LC) has updated its website to include links and descriptions of more than 30 websites related to LGBTQI2-S children/youth and their families as well as three national telephone helplines. (Authors)

A National Approach to Meeting the Needs of LGBTQ Homeless Youth

2009-04-23T09:16:09

This two-page fact sheet provides an overview of the prevalence and experience of LGBTQ youth, causal factors, and risks to LGBTQ youth while homeless. It also highlights a reform agenda to end homelessness for LGBTQ youth and makes best practices recommendations for youth-serving professionals, case workers, and advocates, for administrators and supervisors, and for residential services. (Authors)

Challenges Faced by Homeless Sexual Minorities: Comparison of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Homeless Adolescents with Their Heterosexual Counterparts

2007-07-06T02:53:23

Objectives. The goal of this study was to identify differences between gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) homeless youths and their heterosexual counterparts in terms of physical and mental health difficulties. (Authors)

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Teens Often Homeless: Study

2011-08-02T10:02:00

The National Institutes of Health reports on a recent Boston-based study that finds gay, lesbian or bisexual teens are more vulnerable to homelessness than their heterosexual peers. In conducting the study, published in the July 21 online edition of the American Journal of Public Health, researchers examined two years of survey data to assess the homeless status and sexual orientation of 6,317 public high school students in Massachusetts.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Questioning Guidebook Learning Plan

2010-03-22T01:34:28

The Casey Life Skills organization created this guidebook for GLBTQ youth to help teach the necessary life skills to live on one's own. This guidebook provides GLBTQ specific information and is intended for young adults.

Housing & Mortgages for Gay & Lesbian Couples Guide

2011-02-08T09:29:43

This guide will help to explain the different approaches that same-sex couples can take to getting a mortgage, establishing ownership of a home, and creating legal documents that anticipate any legal or property-ownership issues that might occur if the couple breaks up or one partner dies.

HRC Webcast Resources: Learning from the Field: Serving LGBTQI2-S Youth Experiencing Homelessness

2011-03-02T01:30:47

This FREE SAMHSA HRC webcast aired on Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Presenters discussed best practices for working with youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S).

Larkin Street Stories: The Homeless LGBT Experience (Episode 1)

2011-05-02T02:42:16

Meet Toby, Loch, and the youth from Larkin Street Youth Services in San Francisco. In Episode 1 of Larkin Street Stories they discuss their approach to supporting and accepting LGBT youth who are homeless. At the Larkin Street Drop-In Center, youth talk about how family rejection of their LGBTQ identity led them to leave home. Loch talks about the importance of being present for a client, and Toby reflects on her approach to helping youth to see their own strengths and resources. After work, Loch explains the LGBTQI2-S acronym to his girlfriend.

Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Homeless Youth: An Eight-City Public Health Perspective

2008-06-02T09:39:35

This article reports on results of a one-day public health survey conducted in six states by homeless youth providers to measure and compare risk factors between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) homeless youth and non-LGB homeless youth. This article intends to inform the child welfare field on existing gaps in services and areas where more training and technical support is necessary in providing services to homeless LGB youth. The findings point to substantial differences within the homeless youth sample and demonstrate that in addition to the public health risks young people face merely by being homeless, the risks are exacerbated for those who self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. The article informs child welfare providers and policymakers about the substantial vulnerability of LGB youth beyond that of non-LGB homeless youth and the need to fund programming, training, technical assistance and further research to specifically respond to the complex needs of this population. (authors)

Programs Serving LGBTQI2-S Youth

2011-04-15T01:42:55

The HRC conducted a Listening Tour of programs serving LGBTQI2-S youth experiencing homelessness to learn about what works in serving this population. However, the Listening Tour programs are not the only organizations providing services to sexual and gender minority youth experiencing homelessness. This page features a selection of programs serving this group.

Sexual Health Risks and Protective Resources in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Homeless Youth

2008-06-03T11:09:50

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To compare sexual health risks and protective resources of homeless adolescents self-identified as gay (G), lesbian (L), or bisexual (B), with those self-identified as heterosexual, and to determine the differences between these two groups and the differences within the GLB group. DESIGN AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of survey data collected from a nonprobability sample of 425 homeless adolescents between 16 and 20 years of age. RESULTS: Sexual health risks and protective resources differed between those self-identified as GLB and those self-identified as heterosexual. More G/L youth reported a history of sexual abuse and being tested and treated for HIV, and more scored lower on the assertive communication measure than did bisexual or heterosexual youth. Moreover, there were gender differences within the GLB group; more males than females self-identified as homosexual and more females than males self-identified as bisexual. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Sexual health interventions for this population should be both gender- and sexual orientation-specific. (Authors)

Special Issue: Homelessness and the Transgender Homeless Population

2010-11-15T01:35:25

This special issue of the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health focuses on the variety of issues that individuals who are LGTB are confronted with while they are experiencing homelessness.

The Kids are Listening: LGBTQ Foster Youth (Video)

2011-05-10T01:59:07

Youth who identify as LGBTQI2-S are over represented among youth who are homeless. They often face rejection as a result of their sexual identity. This can be particularly true for youth exiting the foster care system. This video, by the Opening Doors Project, seeks to raise awareness about the hate speech and discrimination these youth often face.

Why It Matters: Rethinking Victim Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Victims

2010-03-26T11:12:56

This joint study by the National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, describes widespread gaps in victim services for LGBTQ victims of crime and recommends steps to improve both the services and their accessibility. (Authors)