Post submitted by Tracy Flynn, M.Ed., education consultant and expert trainer for HRC’s All Children - All Families program

HRC’s All Children - All Families (ACAF) project works with foster care and adoption agencies across the U.S. to help them better serve LGBTQ youth and families. To get its resources out to more professionals, the project recently launched a webinar series  covering promising practices in LGBTQ inclusion.

I have the pleasure of co-presenting the next webinar in the series, “School-Based Advocacy for LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care,” which will be held this Thursday, September 28, from 12- 1 p.m. EST. We will explore best practices to help ensure that LGBTQ foster youth have a welcoming and supportive school experience, and cover resources and policies that encourage the healthy development of LGBTQ youth and academic success. My co-presenter, Emma Ledford, is a Communication Specialist and LGBTQ Staff Advocate at ACAF Leader agency, Texas CASA, will speak about that agency’s advocacy efforts.  

I have served as a trainer and consultant for HRC’s ACAF and Welcoming Schools projects over the past 10 years and in this work I’ve seen first hand how positive, affirming school environments can truly be a lifeline for these young people. When students feel safe and supported at schools they can achieve academically.  I’m thrilled to be a part of Thursday’s webinar and share advocacy tips with hundreds more professionals.

Because LGBTQ young people are overrepresented in the foster care system, it is important that we explore how out-of-home care status intersects with the educational experiences of LGBTQ youth. This upcoming webinar is perfect for all adults working to support the educational needs of LGBTQ foster youth. Are you a child welfare professional? Or do you know foster parents, educators or other advocates who would benefit from this webinar? Please share it today.

You can also check out the full series of webinars offered free of charge throughout 2017 and their recordings are available on demand in our webinar archive.

Learn more about All Children–All Families’ work to promote LGBTQ cultural competency in adoption and foster care through our project at hrc.org/acaf. Want to stay up-to-date on All Children - All Families resources and activities? Subscribe to “Field Forward,” the program’s monthly e-newsletter at hrc.im/field-forward.