The Cuyahoga youth count: one county’s prevalence of and experience data from LGBTQ+ youth in out-of-home placements.

This study aimed to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care in the Midwest. Of the youth who participated in the study, 32.2% indicated they were LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ youth were more likely to have been hospitalized for physical illness and emotional reasons and experience a great number of discriminatory experiences. LGBTQ+ youth were less likely to report being treated well in foster care and that they could be themselves in their placement. Findings suggest the need for increased LGBTQ+ tailored prevention services for families and policy and practice shifts within the child welfare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]