Supporting LGBTQ+ Foster Teens: Development of a Relationship-Focused, Self-Guided Curriculum for Foster Families.

LGBTQ+ youth are over-represented in the foster care system. Child welfare systems across the country have been struggling with how to make their systems work better for the LGBTQ+ youth they serve. One strategy is developing foster caregiver trainings that bolster caregivers' knowledge and support of LGBTQ+ youth in their care.

Developing Relationship-Building Tools for Foster Families Caring for Teens who are LGBTQ2S.

Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) are disproportionally represented in the foster care population and often face discrimination within the system. This article summarizes findings from focus groups with youth in care who are LGBTQ2S, foster caregivers, and child welfare workers to explore (a) the unique challenges and support-related needs of youth in care who are LGBTQ2S and their foster caregivers, and (b) strategies for building better relationships between these youth and caregivers. Findings can be used to improve youth placement stability.

Feasibility of a Substance-Abuse Prevention Program for Foster Teens and their Caregivers.

Objective: To test the feasibility, usability, and proximal outcomes of an adaptation of a low-cost, self-directed, family-based substance use prevention program, with foster families in a randomized, waitlist control pilot study.

Method: Families (n = 60) fostering teens between 11 and 15 years of age were recruited into the study and randomly assigned into the self-administered program with telephone support from a family consultant (n = 32) or a waitlist control condition (n = 28).

Results: Overall satisfaction with the program was high, with 100% of parents reporting they would recommend the program to other caregivers and reporting being "very satisfied" or "satisfied with the program.