2018 Gender Spectrum Professionals' Symposium

 Nationally, LGBTQ youth are disproportionately represented in child welfare systems, the juvenile justice system, mental health systems, and amongst youth experiencing homelessness/displacement. Utilizing evidence-informed strategies developed through our research project with the Willliam’s Institute, we will discuss and challenge the barriers and outcomes LGBTQ youth of color face in systems of care, with an emphasis on child welfare. Blending community organizing, grassroots advocacy, and social work disciplines, participants will gain knowledge and tools needed to disrupt the intricate pipelines of rejection and negative outcomes for LGBTQ youth in systems of care at their local level.