The Los Angeles LGBT Center commended the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for approving a motion on Sept. 24 that supports LGBTQ+ youth in the county’s foster care system.

Authored by supervisors Hilda Solis, 1st District, and Sheila Kuehl, 3rd District, the motion calls for programs and services that minimize family rejection; dedicated programs and support services for LGBTQ+ foster youth; and the implementation of training and support for the Department of Children and Family Services and Department of Probation specific to the needs of LGBTQ+ foster youth.

According to the center’s RISE Program study conducted by the Williams Institute, LGBTQ+ youth are significantly overrepresented in the Los Angeles foster care system. Approximately 19% of foster youth in Los Angeles County are LGBTQ+, which is approximately 1.5 to 2 times higher that their rate in the general population. Of that number, 11% identify as gender nonconforming and 5% as transgender.

For information, visit rise.lalgbtcenter.org.