The CASA Connection
Learn more about what’s going on at CASA Project Worcester County, in our Central MA communities, and with our partners by reading our monthly blog! Have a topic you’d like us to write about or want to be considered for a featured spot? Email communications@thecasaproject.org!
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We Need to Show Up for LGBTQIA+ Youth in the Foster Care System
It has been two years since we wrote the article, We Need to Show Up for LGBTQIA+ Youth in the Foster Care System; a lot has changed, and a lot has stayed the same. With a shift in the political climate, and a dire need for equity, our mission at CASA Project Worcester County is as important as ever.
Across the country, LGBTQIA+ individuals’ rights are being threatened, and safety is not guaranteed. In 2024 and 2025, the ACLU tracked 533 and 616 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills in the U.S., respectively. In 2024, 302 anti-LGBTQIA+ equality bills were introduced, affecting youth and education laws. These proposed bills have serious, life-altering impacts on this marginalized population, especially on LGBTQIA+ youth. What is seldom acknowledged is that foster youth age out of the foster care system at age 18; they are legally allowed to vote, considered an adult, and obligated to advocate for their best interests alone.
LGBTQIA+ youth are over-represented in the foster care system, making up roughly 30% of the population. The opinions, needs, and requests of foster youth are continuously underprioritized and undervalued; this fact is no different for LGBTQIA+ youth, who commonly receive mistreatment and discrimination due to their gender or sexual identity. This group of children and teens is often scared, hurt, harassed, and their specific needs are not respected or met; their voices are silenced.
Youth who enter foster care often do so after experiencing significant trauma, instability, abuse, neglect, or family disruption. For LGBTQIA+ youth, those challenges are frequently compounded by rejection, discrimination, and feelings of isolation related to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
While awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues has increased over the last several years, the political and social climate surrounding these topics has become increasingly polarized. Across the country, lawmakers, courts, advocacy organizations, and community leaders continue to debate policies related to LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly transgender and gender-diverse young people. These conversations have extended into schools, healthcare systems, and child welfare agencies, creating uncertainty for many young people who are already navigating complex personal challenges.
Research continues to demonstrate that LGBTQIA+ youth are disproportionately represented within the foster care system and often experience poorer outcomes than their peers. Many report feeling misunderstood, disconnected from trusted adults, or hesitant to share important parts of their identities with caregivers and professionals. When young people do not feel safe being themselves, they are less likely to seek help, build healthy relationships, or engage in services that can improve their long-term well-being.
Fortunately, there are meaningful ways that caring adults can make a difference.
One of the most impactful things adults can do is create space for youth to share their experiences without fear of judgment. Young people should not feel pressured to define their identities before they are ready, nor should they feel responsible for educating the adults around them.
Sometimes support begins with a simple question: “What would you like me to know about you?”
Listening without assumptions allows youth to feel respected and heard, regardless of where they are on their journey.
For many LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly those exploring their gender identity, having trusted adults use their chosen name and preferred pronouns can communicate acceptance and respect. This does not require adults to have all the answers. It simply requires a willingness to recognize how youth wish to be addressed and to create an environment where they feel seen.
Adults sometimes worry about saying the wrong thing. While learning appropriate terminology is important, genuine connection matters more than perfection. Youth often remember how adults made them feel long after they have forgotten the specific words that were used. Demonstrating curiosity, kindness, consistency, and respect can build trust even when conversations feel unfamiliar.
The foster care system has long recognized the impact of trauma on child development. LGBTQIA+ youth may face additional stressors related to identity, acceptance, bullying, or discrimination. Ensuring access to trauma-informed mental health services, supportive mentors, and caring adults can help youth develop healthy coping skills and build confidence in themselves and their futures.
Supporting LGBTQIA+ youth is not about becoming an expert overnight. It is about maintaining a willingness to learn. Child welfare professionals, foster parents, CASA volunteers, attorneys, educators, and community members all benefit from ongoing education about the experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth. The more informed we become, the better equipped we are to advocate for children whose voices are often overlooked.
At CASA Project Worcester County, we believe every child deserves an advocate who sees their strengths, recognizes their individuality, and supports their best interests. Our volunteer advocates are often one of the few consistent adults in a child’s life. They show up. They listen. They build trust. They advocate for services and support. Most importantly, they remind young people that they matter.
In a time when public conversations about LGBTQIA+ youth can feel divisive, CASA remains focused on the children and teens sitting in front of us because every child deserves to know that they are worthy of dignity, respect, and belonging. The goal is not simply acceptance. The goal is to ensure that every young person, regardless of their identity, can thrive.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Lili Barkow | Development Associate, CASA Project Worcester County
Lili graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in women’s and gender studies. In 2025, she received a master’s degree in public administration at Clark University. Lili’s dedication to empowering youth has led her to work with many nonprofits in the Worcester and Boston areas. She began her journey at CASA Project Worcester County in 2021 as an intern, assisting with administrative tasks and brand awareness projects. In 2022, Lili expanded her intern role for academic credit and conducted research on the barriers and outcomes for LGBTQIA+ foster youth. In June 2023, she became a volunteer advocate, and most recently joined the CASA team in October 2023 as the Development Associate.
Krissie Shaw | Training and Community Impact Supervisor, CASA Project Worcester County
Krissie graduated from Worcester State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. She has always been passionate about advocating for the children in her community and supporting them on their paths to bright futures. Krissie worked in daycare for a decade prior to joining the CASA team in 2023 as a Program Associate. Her dedication to amplifying the voices and best interests of children and youth in Worcester County pointed her to CASA Project. Krissie never felt she could answer the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question, until her journey brought her to CASA, where she is devoted to furthering our mission each day.
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