The National Foster Parent Association is excited to announce that we are embracing an effort to raise awareness and provide supports and services to children in foster care who identify as LGBTQ  (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning), and to foster and adoptive families headed by LGBT people.  We are forming a committee of NFPA members who would like to work on bringing up to date information, training, opportunities for support and other resources to the many foster and adoptive families across the US who would like to learn more about this.

Studies show that children and youth in foster care who identify as LGBTQ often are at risk for placement instability, separation from siblings, and are at a much greater risk for suicidal ideation.  As the people who are charged with caring for our foster youth, it is our job to be sure that all of our kids feel welcomed, supported and affirmed for who they are.  But we haven’t all been born with the resources we need to be able to meet the challenges of the many diverse children we are asked to parent.  Fortunately, we can learn.

Additionally, there are hundreds of thousands of children in the foster care system who need safe and loving forever families.  LGBT headed families are a fantastic resource for some of those kids.  But our systems are not always welcoming and affirming to LGBT families. With support and training even our systems can learn better and do better.

If you’d like to be part of creating a more welcoming and affirming NFPA, please fill out this form so that we can get you on our NFPA LGBTQ  Committee.