AFFIRM Caregiver is a 7-session intervention that increases the knowledge and skills of parents and caregivers of LGTBQ+ children and youth move from rejection to affirmation.
Last reviewed: 2023
Intended Outcomes:
- Educate caregivers about youths sexual orientation, gender identities and expressions
- Help caregivers understand the impact of anti-LGTBQ+ discrimination on youth and helps them move from rejection to affirmation
- Foster the development of affirmative parenting practices, including compassionate parentings
Continuum of Care:
Universal Prevention
Topic Areas:
Anxiety, Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Depression, Physical Health, Suicide
Ages:
Adult (25+), Childhood (4-12), Teen/Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24)
Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban
Delivery Settings:
Community-Based, Virtual
Cultural Considerations:
No research found involving diverse populations
Audience:
AFFIRM Caregiver is designed to work with all caregivers of LGBTQ+ children and youth. This includes biological and adoptive parents, kinship/family members of origin, chosen family, foster/resource parents, and all other people who parent and support LGBTQ+ young people.
Credentials:
AFFIRM Caregiver is typically delivered by trained and certified counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals in a group-based format. The seven modules are designed for flexible implementation with all populations, making them easy to integrate into existing service settings (e.g., into existing counseling groups or parenting programs).
Manuals:
Yes
Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info
Who can provide the required training?
Please visit the following website for more information on training: https://www.affirmativeresearch.net/register
Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website
Program/Practice Website:
https://www.projectyouthaffirm.org/news/affirm-caregiver-intervention-training-1
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:
Austin, A., Craig, S. L., Matarese, M., Greeno, E. J., Weeks, A., & Betsinger, S. A. (2021). Preliminary effectiveness of an LGBTQ+ affirmative parenting intervention with foster parents. Children and Youth Services Review, 127, 106107.
Additional Sources:
WV Rating:
Unable to Be Rated
»WV Ratings Info
Rationale for Rating:
Currently, there is not enough research to appropriately rate this program.
Contraindications or Concerns:
Not enough information found to make an appropriate recommendation.
Other Registries/Ratings
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Not On Registry
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Not On Registry
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Not On Registry
Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry