Surveying LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care: Lessons from Los Angeles

​The report discusses survey methodology used to conduct the 2014 Los Angeles Foster Youth Survey (LAFYS) which identified, counted and surveyed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth in foster care. The survey methodology included use of a two-step question to identify the sexual identity of LGBTQ youth co-developed by the Williams Institute and The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Report authors suggest the more accurate results of LAFYS will help agencies better allocate resources for specific health needs that LGBTQ foster youth face, while addressing significant gaps in and promoting more research on the population.