Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are overrepresented in the foster care system
and experience greater foster-care-related stressors than their non-SGM peers. These
factors may further elevate their risk of anxiety/depressive, post-traumatic stress disorder,
self-harm, and suicidality. The system currently produces unequal and disproportionate
adverse mental health outcomes for SGMY and needs points of intervention to disrupt this
status quo. This article provides an empirically grounded conceptual–theoretical model of …

The Los Angeles County Child Welfare System has a duty to protect foster care youth from
harm and to act in their best interests. In order for the system to fulfill its duty, there is a need
to understand who is in the system and how different groups of youth may face unique
challenges. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ), and other sexual
and gender minority youth are one such group. At various points during their time in the child
welfare system, LGBTQ youth interact with caseworkers, foster parents, congregate care …