Amidst the increase in anti-trans bills that are being introduced and passed in states around the county, Ampersand Families is reaffirming our commitment – and Minnesota’s commitment – to centering the emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing of youth in foster care. Researchers have found that a disproportionate number of youth in care identify as LGBTQ+ compared to youth in the general population1,2,3. This makes enforcing Minnesota’s existing laws4 that foster families must provide a nurturing and respectful home for youth of all identities even more important.
During the summer of 2024, we created and implemented a new training that is available to all our families: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster and Adoptive Homes. This interactive training is designed to meet each family where they are at, whether they have never interacted with a queer5 or trans person before or if they have experience parenting an LGBTQ+ youth already.
After participating in this training, families are able to identify harmful misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community in popular culture, describe some of the challenges that come with having multiple marginalized identities for youth in care, and strategize to create welcoming home environments regardless of a youth’s sexuality or gender identity. Participants also receive an extensive resource guide for queer-affirming organizations around the state.
This training will be required of all families during the home study process moving forward and is next offered on January 9, 2025. We recognize that date is a long time from now, so families are welcome to reach out for 1:1 training sessions if they feel they would benefit from more immediate training.
We invite and encourage families who have completed the home study process to attend this training as well. It will be eligible to use as training hours to renew your foster care license. We look forward to collaborating with families to create affirming and nurturing environments for all youth!
Mina Himlie is Family Support & Education Specialist at Ampersand Families.
Footnotes
- Baams, L., Wilson, B. D., & Russell, S. T. (2019). LGBTQ youth in unstable housing and foster care. Pediatrics, 143(3), Article e20174211. ↩︎
- Dettlaff, A. J., Washburn, M., Carra, L., & Vogel, A. (2018). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth within in welfare: Prevalence, risk and outcomes. Child Abuse and Neglect, 80, 183–193. ↩︎
- Fish, J. N., Baams, L., Wojciak, A. S., & Russell, S. T. (2019). Are sexual minority youth overrepresented in foster care, child welfare, and out-of-home placement? Findings from nationally representative data. Child Abuse and Neglect, 89, 203–211. ↩︎
- Minnesota Rules, chapter 2960.3060, subpart 4, items E & J ↩︎
- Queer is a term that has historically been a very offensive slur and is still offensive to some. However, many in the LGBTQ+ community, including the writer, have reclaimed the term and use it in a positive, affirming, inclusive way to describe the whole umbrella of the LGBTQ+ community. ↩︎
