Evaluation of a Brief Foster Parent/ Case Worker Training to Support Relationship Building Skills and Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth in Care

ABSTRACT

LGTBQ+ youth in foster care need unique support and acceptance; however, few case workers and caregivers receive specialized training. To address this, the Connecting: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) eLearning was developed. This evaluation assesses whether attitudes and behavioral intentions regarding LGBTQ+ youth improved as a result of this training. Caregivers and child welfare professionals showed growth in many areas, including how important they felt it was to learn strategies and skills to support LGBTQ+ youth, as well as their confidence to care for LGBTQ+ youth. The Connecting: SOGIE eLearning is a promising tool for child welfare systems.

KEYWORDS:

• Foster care
• foster parent
• case worker
• LGBTQ+
• training

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by an Administrative Supplement for Research on Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (grant no. 3R01DA038095-02S1).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [3R01DA038095-02S1].

Notes on contributors

Amy M. Salazar

Amy M. Salazar, MSW, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at Washington State University Vancouver. Dr. Salazar’s area of scholarly expertise involves developing and testing interventions for children and youth with or at risk of child welfare system involvement. She is particularly interested in expanding the evidence base for interventions designed to support youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood. She is the author of several peer-reviewed publications on the experiences of youth in foster care, and a Licensed Master’s Social Worker in the State of Oregon.

Susan E. Barkan

Susan E. Barkan, Ph.D., is Director of Research and a Principal Research Scientist at Partners for Our Children, in the University of Washington School of Social Work. Trained as an epidemiologist, she has over 30 years of experience conducting research with particular focus on social determinants of health and racial equity. Her current work involves developing and evaluating programs and policies to improve the lives of children and families in the child welfare system.

Leah F. Rankin

Leah F. Rankin, MSW, is a Research Consultant at Partners for Our Children in the University of Washington School of Social Work.

Cossette B. Woo

Cossette B. Woo, MSW, is a Research Consultant at Partners for Our Children in the University of Washington School of Social Work.

Ivana Rozekova

Ivana Rozekova is a Curriculum Developer at the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence in the University of Washington School of Social Work. Ms. Rozekova has worked in the social service field for over 38 years and in leadership positions 17 of those years.

Nathan E. Fowler

Nathan E. Fowler is an eLearning Administrator and Instructional Designer at the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence in the University of Washington School of Social Work.

Kevin P. Haggerty

Kevin P. Haggerty, MSW, Ph.D., is Director of the Social Development Research Group in the University of Washington School of Social Work and has over 30 years of experience developing, adapting, and evaluating interventions, as well as working in culturally diverse communities using a community-based participatory process to promote adoption and implementation of evidence-based prevention programs.

Dae Shogren

Dae Shogren (she. they), MPA is a DCYF Office of Racial Equity & Social Justice Administrator. Prior to this position, she was the LGBTQ+, Disproportionality, Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Statewide Program Manager for Child Welfare Programs. Before joining DCYF, she spent over 25 years in the private sector supporting children, youth, and young adults. Throughout her career and personal life, she has worked on behalf of the communities most vulnerable and marginalized with a consistent integration through mentorship, partnership, and leadership. Dismantling systematic oppression as it relates to racial inequity, supports homophobia and transphobia continues to be at the core of their work. Ms. Shogren firmly believes that when our children and young people are supported and nurtured, we all thrive.

Amber Salzer

Amber Salzer (she/her), LICSW is a Data/CQI Program Manager and LGBTQ+ Lead for the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), Licensing Division (LD). She has worked for the State of Washington since 2011, in child welfare, foster care licensing and kinship care. Her roles have included working with children and families, supervision and continuous quality improvement. Prior to that, she worked in the private sector supporting homeless and at-risk youth and families. In every role, she elevates and demonstrates commitment to racial equity and social justice, and care and compassion for all human beings.