Identity & Acceptance Program

Every young person deserves a community who respects and understands them. The Foundling’s Identity & Acceptance program offers an array of clinical services for LGBTQIA+ youth across New York City, with the aim of creating a more equitable and inclusive world.

Nationally, LGBTQIA+ youth experience high levels of discrimination, and are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, experiencing homelessness or placement in the foster care system, substance use and attempted suicide. Our trained staff works to prevent these negative outcomes, through providing psychoeducation, therapy, and resources around sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression to children and young adults, their caregivers, and youth-facing professionals.

Based within The Foundling’s Home of Integrated Behavioral Health, the program uses a holistic approach to assist people at all stages of their journey – from children starting to navigate their identity and looking for safe spaces, to  families who want to better understand their children or repair a strained relationship. Acknowledging the intersectional identities of the young people that enter the program, our staff offer support to directly address all forms of trauma that our participants may experience, including sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic discrimination. Through individual, group, and family therapy, The Identity & Acceptance Program helps LGBTQIA+ youth and their families thrive in a loving, affirming environment.

The program serves those involved in The Foundling’s child welfare programs, youth and families in foster care with other agencies, and those in the greater New York City community. Referrals are accepted for young people up to age 21.

Services offered include:

• Individual and family therapy (for birth, foster, or chosen families)
• Access to Psychiatric Services and Consultation
• LGBTQ+ Youth and Parents of LGBTQIA+ Youth Support Groups
• Staff Consultation and Professional Development
• Connection to community spaces and outside services
• Letters to support of gender-affirming medical intervention
• Resources on Non-Medical TGNCNB interventions
• LGBTQIA+ job support and connection to LGBTQIA+ affirming summer camp opportunities

Questions? Contact Identity@NYFoundling.org.