Abstract
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth experience higher rates of substance abuse, suicide, verbal and physical abuse, violence, discrimination, mental health issues, and homelessness when compared with non-LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ foster youth face additional challenges in an environment that is often times detrimental to their well-being. Permanency Services social workers are responsible for linking LGBTQ foster youth with the appropriate and specific resources and supports necessary for their safety, protection, and well-being. This study focused on the utilization of LGBTQ specific resources and supports by Permanency Services social workers in Sacramento County, California. An exploratory survey was utilized for this study. There were 50 social workers in the sampling frame, and 22 social workers responded to the survey. The respondents indicated a need for more specific resources targeted for the LGBTQ foster youth population; a lack of importance placed on the LGBTQ foster youth population by the agency as a whole; more communication between social workers and their supervisor and colleagues in regards to LGTBQ specific services and supports; and better trainings for social workers on the LGBTQ specific services that are available to foster youth. It is recommended that further research explore the specific factors that impede and/or facilitate a social workers utilization of LGBTQ resources; what kinds of LGBTQ resources would be most beneficial for the youth; how social workers can better facilitate the positive self-identity of the LGBTQ foster youth on their caseloads; and what types of resources LGBTQ foster youth feel works best for them.