Q&A
Challenges in identifying affirming foster homes for LGBTQ+ youth
0:34:22
·
3 min
Commissioner Dannhauser discusses the challenges ACS faces in identifying foster homes that affirm LGBTQ+ identities and the efforts to create a full continuum of care.
- ACS has small residential programs specifically dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth
- There is a general struggle to find foster homes for teenagers
- ACS has successfully reduced the number of children in residential care
- The number of youth away from their placements has been reduced by about half over the last four years
- ACS focuses on providing support services to foster parents to help them handle more challenging placements
Jess Dannhauser
0:34:22
Not specifically we have tried to create a full continuum.
0:34:25
Right?
0:34:26
So we have also have some small residential programs that SEO runs.
0:34:32
About 5 of them that are specifically dedicated for young people who identify as LGBTQA plus, We are always looking for we have we struggle with phostroms, of course, for teenagers.
0:34:46
We have not heard a specific concern about young people who identify as LGBTQIA plus.
0:34:53
But we are always looking for
Althea V. Stevens
0:34:55
Wait.
0:34:55
Say that again.
0:34:56
I'm sorry.
0:34:56
So you don't you don't struggle with that what?
Jess Dannhauser
0:34:59
We we generally struggle to identify in gender foster homes
Althea V. Stevens
0:35:04
Mhmm.
Jess Dannhauser
0:35:04
For for teenagers.
0:35:07
We have been very successful in a few fronts.
0:35:09
1 is we've been able to reduce the number of children in residential care, not only the number, but the percentage, even as the entire census and false care has precipitously dropped.
0:35:22
We've also dropped the percentage of young people in in residential care.
0:35:26
So we're overcoming some of these challenges.
0:35:29
We've reduced the number of young people who our a walk or sort of away from their placement by about half over the last 4 years.
0:35:38
So we're trying to surround the placement.
0:35:42
The best way to do it is to to take an and foster parents and surround them with lots of supports and services.
0:35:49
So we're not always looking for sometimes if someone will be a foster parent for a two year old as their first as their first time in foster care, and then they really get the hang of it and feel like I can I can handle a teenager?
0:36:01
I understand the system.
0:36:04
So we we are always focused on making sure we have homes for youth, homes for large sibling groups, Those are some of the places homes for young people are medically challenged.
0:36:16
Specifically, around youth who identify as LGBTQ, we have not seen a specific need that we haven't been able to meet.
Althea V. Stevens
0:36:26
Well, I would like to differ because when, you know, you also don't want to waste facilities.
0:36:31
A lot of them are there, and a lot of them come from the system.
0:36:34
And I think it also stresses me out when we say things like we've reduced the numbers because that means we still have young people.
0:36:41
So yes, that's good, hooray, for doing our jobs, but we also can't forget that there's still young people there.
0:36:47
So, yes, we should be reducing the numbers.
0:36:49
Right?
0:36:50
And so I just always get really, really, really, like, yes, we're we're doing our job.
0:36:54
Great.
0:36:54
But we still gotta make sure that we're supporting these young people because we know it's hard, you know, especially for teenagers.
0:37:01
But, again, when you look at the which is why d y c d is here.
0:37:03
Right?
0:37:04
It made sure they were here because a lot of those young people ends up in their drop in centers.
0:37:09
And in their shelters because they're leaving these homes because they're not getting them with care and affirm affirmations that they need.
0:37:15
And so, I mean, like, as she said, you you don't, but you guys have never thought about, like, doing, like, specific recruitment for LGBTQUs foster parents.
0:37:25
Especially if we know this is a population who needs, you know, additional affirmations and affirm sometimes.
Jess Dannhauser
0:37:31
Absolutely.
