Youth Acceptance Project

A program of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. The Youth Acceptance Project (YAP) supports foster & adoptive families with LGBTQ+ youth. The YAP Specialist assists caregivers who are struggling with the sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (SOGIE) of their youth. YAP social workers use a trauma-informed, psycho-educational model seeped in cultural humility to address the misinformation, resistance, fear, grief, and guilt that families may experience. The YAP program is also great for caregivers who are affirming of their youth's LGBTQ+ identity, but would like some additional guidance on how to best support them. The YAP Specialist also meets with and supports the young person.