Resource Human-Centered Design Service Design

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

This brief outlines research recommendations to strengthen child welfare services for LGBT youth and adults, focusing on experiences of maltreatment, foster care, and adoption.

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, Scott Baumgartner, Gary Gates

Published Year: 2015

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It highlights key areas for future study, including the prevalence and causes of child maltreatment among LGBT youth, the representation and treatment of LGBT youth in foster care, and the participation of LGBT adults as foster or adoptive parents.

The brief emphasizes the need for improved data collection, agency practices, and targeted interventions to support safety, permanency, and inclusiveness in child welfare settings. Recommendations include surveys, longitudinal studies, and evaluations of agency policies and service models tailored to LGBT populations.