Comprehensive Services Model

With the Comprehensive Services Model, LGBTQ-affirming drop-in centers serve as a one-stop shop. Using a strengths-based case management model, youth at the drop-in center have access to a comprehensive array of LGBTQ-affirming services within the center. Some of the service providers available include Medicaid enrollment specialists, physicians, and attorneys. Staff and peers offer group skills training throughout the day.

Ferguson & Maccio, 2012

Green Chimneys

Green Chimneys was a transitional living program that operates in the state of New York. No longer operating in New York City, the program provided beds to homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth between the ages of 17 to 21.

Nolan, 2006

Guidelines for Managing Information Related to the Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity and Expression of Children in the Child Welfare System

This publication was developed in conjunction with the Putting Pride into Practice Project (“P4”), a three-year effort undertaken by Family Builders by Adoption, in partnership with the California Department of Social Services, to implement CWLA’s Best Practice Guidelines for Serving LGBT Youth in Out of Home Care in several county child welfare systems in California. The project provides training and technical assistance to build agency capacity and improve organizational competency through leadership and policy development, community and constituency engagement, and recruitment, training and support of placement resources.

Family Builders, Legal Services for Children, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Center for the Study of Social Policy (2013)

Reaching Higher: A Curriculum for Foster/Adoptive Parents and Kinship Caregivers Caring for LGBTQ Youth

Designed as a full-day facilitation, the curriculum was developed to help foster, kinship, adoptive, and biological families enhance their skills in supporting LGBTQ youth. The curriculum includes nine modules that provide participants with information on the impact and scope of LGBTQ youth in the foster care system and help participants to assess their own values and beliefs.

National Center for Child Welfare Excellence

Suicide Prevention Among LGBT Youth: A Workshop for Professionals Who Serve Youth

This is a free workshop kit to help staff in schools, youth-serving organizations, and suicide prevention programs take action to reduce suicidal behavior among LGBT youth. Topics covered include suicidal behavior among LGBT youth, risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior, strategies to reduce the risk, and ways to increase school or agency cultural competence. The kit contains everything needed to host a workshop: a Leader’s Guide, sample agenda, PowerPoint presentations (in PDF), a sample script, and handouts.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center  (SPRC; 2011)

Supporting the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Youth in Out-of-Home Care: A Guide for Caseworkers

This document is one of three in a compendium of sexual and reproductive health guidance and resources for child welfare jurisdictions from a national work group convened by the CSSP. The goal of this document is to provide information and resources to workers to help them effectively support youth (ages 10 to 21) on sexual and reproductive health issues. The other two documents in this series include a policy and practice framework for child welfare leaders and policy makers and practical guidance meant specifically for use by the youth themselves. Both this document and the one designed for youth are aligned with the recommendations on current best practices around sexual and reproductive health policy and practice contained in the policy framework. Includes LGBTQ+ considerations and resources.