The LGBT Foster Care Project is a collaborative project between The Center and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). The purpose of the project is to partner with New York City foster care agencies and ACS to increase the number of homes for all youth, with a special emphasis on LGBTQ youth.

We provide support and networking opportunities at The Center, and host weekly trainings for current and prospective foster and adoptive parents in collaboration with You Gotta Believe! (YGB), a foster and adoptive parent training and licensing organization. In addition to education and outreach efforts to LGBT families who are considering becoming foster parents, The Center also provides support and advocacy opportunities for LGBT youth such as the Youth Speaker’s Bureau, an internship for young people, 17-24, who have experience with the foster care system. We also offer Circle of Youth, a group which creates a comfortable environment for LGBT youth in foster care, ages 15+, to come together, learn their rights, express their feelings, find support and achieve their goals.

The LGBT Foster Care Projects offers:

• Support, networking and training for current and prospective foster parents
• Training for ACS provider agency staff
• Support and advocacy opportunities for LGBT youth with foster care experience
• Education and outreach encouraging LGBT families to consider becoming foster parents

Please see The Center’s Event Calendar for topics and discussion.

Registration requested.  Please email centerfamilies@gaycenter.org