Adapting KEEP, an evidence-based parenting preventive intervention, for sexual and gender minority youth in the child welfare system

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement through the Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative (CBCS) calling on state child welfare agencies to affirm/support sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth in the child welfare system – outlining specific “harmful practices” to avoid and “healthy approaches” to implement. Many states have since set health equity goals acknowledging the needs of this population. One such state, Oregon, has invested in the adaptation of KEEP SAFE, an evidence-based parenting intervention, in order to meet health equity goals for SGM youth. The current study reports qualitative findings from focus groups of resource parent participants in KEEP SAFE in order to shed light on past experiences resource parents have had parenting their SGM youth, understand what they found helpful about the adapted parenting intervention, and identify what areas they are lacking additional training and supports. Participants discussed both their hardships/challenges and their successes/joys as resource parents of SGM youth and within the KEEP SAFE group. Though participants mostly engaged in CBCS identified “healthy approaches” when parenting their youth, several shared stories where they unintentionally engaged in “harmful practices.” Participants reported that they attended KEEP SAFE to learn more healthy approaches. They reported enjoying the experience and wanting to learn more. Findings suggest more training and support may be necessary for resource parents caring for SGM youth.