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Resources for SOGIE Diverse Youth in Foster Care

As a companion page to our Supporting Youth with Diverse Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Programs topic area where we give a definition of the topic area and other background information, we have collected links to additional resources for Diverse SOGIE in foster care or involved with the child welfare system. These resources are especially for caseworkers, mental health providers, and caregivers of these youth. Note: Some of these resources have been removed from federal websites due to recent restrictions; we are hosting copies of them as the resources are still useful.

Highlighted Resources

Effectively Welcoming LGBTQIA+ Youth into Our Work presented by Al Killen-Harvey, LCSW

Supporting LGBTQIA+ & Gender-Diverse Youth

Science Against Conversion Therapy

Coming Out with Care (a resource for the SOGIE diverse youth and young adults you care for)

Youth Support & Building Community Guide

Child Welfare Practice Guide

    Foster Parent Guide

    Residential Providers and Caregivers Guide:

    Tribal Child Welfare Information Sheet:

    Trauma-Related Resources:

    • Higgins, D., Lawrence, D., Haslam, D. M., Mathews, B., Malacova, E., Erskine, H. E., Finkelhor, D., Pacella, R., Meinck, F., Thomas, H. J., & Scott, J. G. (2024). Prevalence of diverse genders and sexualities in Australia and associations with five forms of child maltreatment and multi-type maltreatment. Child Maltreatment, Article 1226331. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595231226331

    Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention, and Self-Harm

      • The Trevor Project: The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13–24.
      • The LGBT National Hotline: Telephone, online private one-to-one chat, and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States
      • The LGBT National Youth Talkline: For Youth – Telephone, online private one-to-one chat, and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States
      • Trans Lifeline: Trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive

      Homelessness & Housing

      • The True Colors United: The True Colors Fund is working to end homelessness LGBTQ, and questioning youth, creating a world in which all young people can be their true selves.
      • Home Free Program: The Home Free program is a partnership between the National Runaway Safeline and Greyhound. It reunites youth with their family or legal guardian or helps them get to an alternative living arrangement (ALA), such as a community-based transitional living program, through a free bus ticket. Youth must be between the ages of 12 and 21 and self-identify as homeless, runaway or a victim of human trafficking. Youth must agree to complete the necessary steps to obtain a ticket through the Home Free program. 
      • The National Runaway Safeline: Provides advice and assistance to runaways, including resources, shelter, transportation, assistance in finding counseling, and transitioning back to home life.

      General Resource Pages

      California State Department of Social Services (CDSS) SOGIE Information and Resource pages

      National SOGIE Center:

        Brazelton Touchpoints Center:

        Page last updated 5/28/2026