Youth Acceptance Project (YAP)
The Youth Acceptance Project (YAP) is a clinical model that works with families of LGBTQ+ youth to address their fears and worries related to their LGBTQ+ child and help the family learn new and supportive behaviors to improve their youth’s well-being.
The YAP social workers/clinicians provide a trauma-informed, psycho-educational model while partnering with parents/caregivers; supporting them to process misinformation, resistance, fear, and grief that families often struggle with when they learn that their child is LGBTQ+. The result of this intervention has significant positive impact on the family’s functioning as well as lasting positive impacts on the overall wellness of LGBTQ+ children.
The Youth Acceptance Project
Is manualized
Provides training for new clinicians
Requires fidelity adherence
Requires data collection
Provides expert coaching to new implementers
Who is the Program for?
The Youth Acceptance Project is designed to work both with families of children already in, or at risk of entering, the child welfare system due to family stress resulting from their child’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The YAP intervention is designed to increase understanding of LGBTQ+ children among parents/caregivers, foster parents, extended family members, social workers and/or congregate care staff involved in a child’s care. This model is responsive to families’ experiences within their own culture, religion, and race.
The Youth Acceptance Project is being implemented in the following states:
- California
- Ohio
- New York
- Pennsylvania
Testimonials
“Out of 26 families, 23 youth never left their families because they were stabilized, and the families became affirming of their child. Of the youth who were showing suicidal behaviors at the start of the program, 100% of them were no longer doing so by the end of the program.”
“The Youth Acceptance Project clinicians also work with parents’ reconciliation of their values
and beliefs (faith, family, community) in such a way that allows them to be affirming of their child.”
How do I get the Youth Acceptance Project to my organization?
To implement YAP in your practice or within your organization, please email the National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care at SOGIECENTER@ssw.umaryland.edu.