Announcements

MONTROSE COUNSELING CENTER SEEKING FOSTER PARENTS FOR GLBTQ YOUTH

Montrose Counseling Center [MCC] is seeking Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender [GLBT], or GLBT-affirming adults to become foster parents to GLBT or Questioning youth who are at risk of becoming homeless, or who already are homeless, due to their family’s reaction to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Up until now, Houston GLBTQ youth had very limited options, such as ‘couch hopping’ at friends’ homes, staying at a faith-based residential shelter for youth, or living on the streets,” says Ann J. Robison, PhD, Executive Director of MCC.

It is estimated that approximately 30 percent of the homeless youth in Houston self-identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity [GLBTQ]. About one out of every four youth who come out at home prior to the age of 18 risks being expelled from his or her home. For some who are not actually turned out, living at home may include ongoing conflict, hostility and/or religious abuse. It isn’t hard to see how life on the street may appear to be more safe and affirming than living at home.

Back in 1989, Paul Gibson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, wrote that if GLBTQ youth are rejected by their families and unable to access support services, many become homeless, increasing their likelihood of engaging in survival sex/prostitution, and subsequently an
increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Gibson found that they also are more at risk for alcohol and drug abuse, victimization, and suicide.

“These issues were brought up back in June at the Houston Futures Conference, where the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender communities came together to identify the needs of the community-as-a-whole, and we recognized that MCC was in the perfect position to address this
issue.” says Ann J. Robison, PhD, Executive Director.

MCC currently supports HATCH, twice-weekly meetings that consist of social time, a prevention/cultural presentation and a facilitated support group for GLBTQ youth, as well as a Methamphetamine Addiction Prevention Program [MAPP]. MAPP and IPAD target GLBTQ street youth, among others, who are at-risk of using club drugs. MCC also has the resources to help provide HIV testing if requested by program participants, as well as HIV case management if needed.

“Our first step, obviously, is to identify GLBT and GLBT-affirming adults who are interested in becoming foster parents to these youth, provide them with training on GLBTQ youth issues and culture, and then through a collaboration with a couple of licensed foster care agencies, we will refer
GLBTQ youth up to the age of 18 for placement,” says Robison.

The foster care agencies will provide home study, training and background checks as required of all foster parents, as well as the actual placement, based on the strengths and needs of the youth and those of the foster family. In addition, the agencies will provide life-skills training for the youth
so that they can transition into successfully living independently once foster care ends.

“If we can prevent youth from turning to the streets,” says Deb Murphy, MCC’s Youth Services Worker, “we may be able to catch them before they fall through the cracks into the growing abyss of so-called ‘throw-away kids.’”

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent should contact Gay & Lesbian Switchboard Houston at 713.529.3211.