By Alex Lord-Wilkinson, Policy Intern, Pizzigati Fellow On Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 the President issued an Executive Order (EO) on “Advancing Equality for LGBTQI+ Individuals.” The Executive Order directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other key agencies to establish initiatives to support LGBTQ children and families and address discriminatory state legislation.
On Friday, May 20th, the Government Accountability Office released its new report, “Foster Care: Further Assistance from HHS Would be Helpful in Supporting Youth's LGBTQ+ Identities and Religious Beliefs.” The report concluded that a majority of states have nondiscrimination protections for youth in foster care, but selected states and stakeholders identified challenges supporting youth with
On Wednesday, May 5th, 2022, during the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing about the President’s FY23 Health and Human Services Budget request, Senator Braun (R-IN) used his time to question Secretary Becerra about gender-affirming care, “a subject that is really creating controversy around the country.” Senator Braun
A new Child Trends brief describes the harm inflicted upon gender-diverse children and youth when policies deny them access to gender-affirming care and supportive environments. Gender-affirming care provides developmentally appropriate supports to gender-diverse children and youth. When transgender children and youth feel that their identities are supported, they experience greater life satisfaction, fewer depressive symptoms,
On April 11, 2022, KHOU in Texas published an article detailing new ramifications of Governor Greg Abbotts’ directive that the Department of Family and Protective Services investigate parents of transgender children: employee resignations. “More than half a dozen child abuse investigators told The Texas Tribune that they either have resigned or are actively job-hunting as
Mathematica is conducting focus groups to explore sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection for youth in foster care and foster/adoptive parents. The study is being conducted on behalf of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and in cooperation with the Children’s Bureau. They are seeking focus group participants
On Monday, March 28th, 2022, Think of Us hosted a Town Hall with the Children’s Bureau. Speakers included representatives of the Administration, Aysha E. Schomburg, Associate Commissioner of the Children’s Bureau, and people with the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth. Associate Commissioner Schomburg echoed other speakers’ sentiments of standing behind LGBTQ+ children and families especially
Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Miriam Delphin-Rittmon writes: “As a clinical psychologist, academician, and government leader, I have focused on ensuring that mental health care services and policies are culturally responsive, evidence-based and in the best interest of those receiving services. Providing timely, appropriate, and evidence-based treatment vastly improves outcomes and can
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) released “Gender-Affirming Care is Trauma-Informed Care,” a new fact sheet that defines gender-affirming care, describes approaches for supporting trans, gender-diverse, and intersex (TGI) youth, and includes additional tools for providers. From the release: “Transgender, gender diverse, and intersex (TGI) youth can thrive when they are supported and affirmed
Attempts to ban transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming medical care are putting tens of thousands of young people at risk. The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law reported that “more than 54,000 transitioning transgender youth ages 13 through 17 are at risk of losing access to gender-affirming medical care.” As of Friday, about