- LGBTQ+
Creating a Family: “Adopting or Fostering a Child Who Identifies as LGBTQ”
This is a $20 course for adoptive or foster parents on providing a healthy environment to discuss emotional topics with LGBTQ+ youth. It is hosted by the Clinical Director of the Modern Family Center at Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children. It covers topics such as cultural sensitivity, mental health and some issues for the LGBTQ+ community that parents need to be aware of.
- LGBTQ+
Movement Advancement Project (MAP): “Child Welfare Nondiscrimination Laws”
This is a map of child welfare nondiscrimination laws in the United States. You can click on it by state and it will provide quick facts as well as laws and policies. These policies concern foster care, adoption, second and stepparents, and LGBTQ youth in child welfare. This can be used for anyone in the United States who are looking to foster or adopt and is curious to know about the laws of certain states.
- LGBTQ+
National Library of Medicine: “Achieving permanency for LGBTQ youth”
This is an article that talks about achieving permanence for youth in out-of-home care and meeting the needs of LGBTQ youth. It offers models of permanence and practices to facilitate permanence with LGBTQ youth and their families. It also provides resources for those who cannot return home as well as cultural issues that affect permanency. This is a great article for those raising LGBTQ youth.
- LGBTQ+
Taylor & Frances: Online Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services
This is an online journal that publishes empircal knowledge and conceptual information related to sexual minorities and their social environment. It’s filled with innovative ideas and resources for the design, evaluation, and delivery for social services for these populations at all stages of life. All articles in this journal have undergone anonymous double-blind peer review.
- LGBTQ+
APA PsycNet: “Basic premises, guiding principles and competent practices for a positive youth development approach to working with gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths in out-of-home care”
This article explores a youth development perspective for working with LGBTQ youths in out-of-home care. The article discusses 5 core premises defining the practices to promote youth development. A model is also offered for creating an environment where LGBTQ individuals can meet their personal and social needs and develop competencies.
- LGBTQ+
NPR It’s Been a Minute: “Joel Kim Booster on making a queer, Asian American ‘Pride and Prejudice'”
This is a podcast by gay Korean adoptee Joel Kim Booster (comedian and actor). This episode explores how the film Fire Island honors queer friendships, subverts heteronormative themes, and tells a story which feels universal.
- LGBTQ+
LGBT National Help Center: LGBT National Youth Talkline
The LGBT National Youth Talkline will most apply to and benefit LGBT youth (age 25 and younger) who need free and confidential peer-support. On the webpage you can find the talklines hours and information on what to expect on a call.
- LGBTQ+
PFLAG NYC: API Parents & Caregivers Group
This group meets twice a month for a lunchtime discussion for API parents and caregivers whose children are part of the LGBTQ+ community. They are based in New York City but have virtual meetings on zoom. They also have an events calendar for anyone who can or wants to attend. This is a parent resource for API parents who have LGBTQ+ children.
- LGBTQ+
Creating a Family: “Tips for Raising an LGBTQ Foster or Adopted Child”
This website provides ten tips on raising LGBTQ foster or adopted kids, such as using your child’s preferred pronouns, using gender-neutral language, and letting them know you are willing to listen and talk about anything. This is a great resource for adoptive or foster parents of LGBTQ children.
- LGBTQ+
Talkspace: “The History of the LGBTQ Community and Mental Health Treatment”
From TalkSpace.com, this source will most apply to and benefit those who are seeking information about the history of the LGBTQ community and mental health treatment. The article goes over an abbreviated history, how the LGBTQ identity came to be designated as a mental illness, conversion therapy history, ongoing conversations about gender, and current issues.
- LGBTQ+
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The Human Rights Campaign’s services can apply to and most benefit those who are part of the queer community or those who are strong allies that want to support. The mission of the organization is to “end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.” The webpage offers information on their campaigns/projects, articles and a resource page.
- LGBTQ+
American Civil Liberties Union
ACLU (American Civil Liberites Union) can apply to and most benefit those who are part of the queer community and allies. The organization advocates for equality and has a long history of defending the LGBTQ+ community. On the website you can explore recent news, court cases, press releases, podcasts, reports, and more.
- LGBTQ+
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Parents and Families/Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is a source that can apply to and benefit the LGBTQ+ community. It is the “first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.” On the webpage you can find support, information, and resources. There is also the PFLAG Chapter Network that has over 400 chapters across the country with 200,000 + members.
- LGBTQ+
Free Mom Hugs
Free Mom Hugs is a source that can apply to and benefit the LGBTQ+ community. It is an organization that encourages education, visability, and conversation. On the webpage you can learn more about their education opportunities for everyone through speaking engagements, webinars, interactive discussions, and other programs. You can also search by state to find a chapter in your area.
- LGBTQ+
The Real Mama Bears
Mama Bears is a source that can apply to and benefit the LGBTQ community. The organization supports, educates, and empowers families with LGBTQ members through its programing. It offers private online communities, resources, opportunities to advocate, regional Mama Bear groups, and numerous other methods of support.
- LGBTQ+
University of Michigan Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities: “All About Gender”
From Henry Ford, this guide can apply to and most benefit parents who have transgender, questioning, gender expansive, gender nonconforming, or non-binary kids. The guide explains terms, answers common questions, addresses transitioning, and gives additional resources
- LGBTQ+
PA Parent an Family Alliance
The PA Parent and Family Alliance LGBTQ+ Tip Sheet is a great resource that can most apply to and benefit parents who have a LGBTQ+ child. The guide goes over tips on what to do immediately following your child coming out, how to use terminology, and some reputable resources to continue your research.
- LGBTQ+
healthychildren.org: “Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens”
From Healthy Children. Org, this article will most apply to and benefit parents who have LGBTQ+ teens. The article gives explanations and tips to common questions. It also gives recommendations on what parents and families can do, along with more resources that are linked.
- LGBTQ+
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): “Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents”
From the American Academy of Pediatrics, this source will most apply to and benefit pediatric providers or those who are interested in how pediatric providers are changing their approach to their LGBTQ+ patients. This academic article reviews “relevant concepts and challenges and provide suggestions for pediatric providers that are focused on promoting the health and positive development of youth that identify as TGD while eliminating discrimination and stigma.”
- LGBTQ+
Planned Parenthood: “What should I teach my high school-aged teen about identity?”
From Planned Parenthood, this source will most apply to and benefit the parents who want to teach their teenage children about identity. The source gives detailed explanations surrounding questions based on sexuality, safety, relationships, and more. Tips and additional resources are also included.
- LGBTQ+
Rise Magazine: “Resources for LGBTQ Parents and Parents of LGBTQ Children and Youth”
From Rise Magazine, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who are either LGBTQ+ or have LGBTQ+ children. The article explains the importance of acceptance and provides a list of resources
- LGBTQ+
Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Tips for Parents of LGBTQ Youth”
From John Hopkins, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who have LGBTQ+ children. In the article, Johns Hopkins pediatrics and adolescent medicine specialists share tips on how to provide support to LGBTQ+ children. The article also provides additional resources.
- LGBTQ+
The Trevor Project: “Behaviors of Supportive Parents and Caregivers for LGBTQ Youth”
From the Trevor Project, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who have LGBTQ+ children. In the article it explores the behaviors of supportive parents and caregivers for LGBTQ youth and explains that supportive behaviors are associated with lower suicide risk among LGBTQ kids.
- LGBTQ+
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World)
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) is a source that can apply to and most benefit those who who are part of the queer community. The organization supports LGBTI civil society worldwide through “advocacy and research projects, and gives grassroots movements a voice within international organizations.” The website has information about their world’s network, events, annual report, latest news, and a list of researched resources/reports.
- Community Connection
Adoption Network: “How to Find Support Groups for Adoptive Parents”
This article explains the benefits of parent support groups for parents of adoptees. It includes a section on single parents as well as on couples, and provides a few starting links for those looking.
- Medical Needs
Utah’s Adoption Connection: Children with Special Needs
This is digital Lending Library allows prospective adoptive families, foster parents, and adoptive parents to rent books for free. Users can check out up to three items at a time for up to six weeks. Within the Children with Special Needs category there are further categories focused on specific special needs, as well as other categories on general adoption, children’s titles, for parenting, for professionals, and LBGTQ focus.
- Medical Needs
U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs: “Health Considerations”
An article by the U.S Department of State-Bureau of consular affairs. It establishes the difference between convention adoption requirements which normally have an Article 16 requirement, and non-convention requirements. It also establishes reasonable expectations for accredited adoption service providers and visa requirements for a medical examination.
- Mental Health
Therapist Locator
A search engine that locates marriage and family therapists. Users can search using zip codes or a city name for therapists in the US, Canada, and other countries.
