Resource Human-Centered Design Service Design

Human Services for Low-Income and At-Risk LGBT Populations: Research Recommendations on Programs for Youth

This brief provides research recommendations to improve programs serving LGBT youth, focusing on homelessness and sexual health education services funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Organizations: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation (OPRE), Mathematica, UCLA School of Law, The Williams Institute

Authors: Andrew Burwick, Daniel Friend, Gary Gates

Published Year: 2015

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The brief outlines key research needs in understanding the risks LGBT youth face—particularly homelessness and poor sexual health outcomes—and explores barriers they encounter in accessing services.

It emphasizes the importance of collecting accurate data on sexual orientation and gender identity, understanding youth service preferences, and evaluating the effectiveness of tailored interventions. Recommendations include new data collection, youth and provider surveys, longitudinal studies, and pilot evaluations of inclusive practices in runaway and homeless youth and sexual health education programs.