SOGI Data Collection in Child Welfare Settings
This page highlights key resources for collecting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data within child welfare agencies. While the National SOGIE Center’s website offers many additional SOGI data collection resources that are not specific to child welfare, they may still be valuable to your work. For a comprehensive list of available materials, visit our Document Library.
Michigan's Pilot to Collect SOGI Data Across the State
This Implementation Guide presents the lessons learned from implementing the Asking About SOGIE (AAS) Pilot with youth in Michigan’s foster care system and provides recommendations for other agencies seeking to replicate the model for the children, youth, and families they support.
Steps to Statewide Rollout of SOGI Data Collection
The overview of Michigan’s data collection process is available to download as a standalone infographic. This graphic provides a roadmap other child welfare agencies can follow as they pilot similar initiatives to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data from those involved in the child welfare system.
Collecting SOGIE Data Tip Sheet
This tip sheet provides practical strategies for child welfare agencies to effectively collect Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) data. It covers steps for building leadership support, engaging staff, addressing concerns, improving data accuracy, and fostering inclusive practices. The resource also offers guidance on training, working with community providers, and integrating SOGIE data collection into everyday workflows to better serve LGBTQ+ children, youth, and families.
SOGIE Data Collection in Public Systems of Care: A Practice Guide for Santa Clara County
This guide provides background on the importance of SOGIE data collection and provides some important strategies for others to follow. The guide also provides lessons learned and recommendations for others collecting SOGIE data in public systems.
Moving a Child Welfare System to Be More Affirming of the LGBTQ Community: Strategies, Challenges and Lessons Learned
Allegheny County’s report on their system-wide effort to normalize conversations about SOGIE and collect SOGIE among youth and youth adults in child welfare. The report can be a helpful guide to child welfare agencies.
Implementing System Wide Policy & Practice Improvements to Support LGBTQ+ Youth
This report describes the processes and outcomes associated with implementing Guidelines for Managing Information Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression and Identity in Child Welfare Systems in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The Guidelines outline ways in which child welfare jurisdictions can implement system wide innovations to better serve LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
Safe Identification of LGBTQ2S+ Youth Policy
Cuyahoga County’s policy for collecting Safe ID, their method of safely disclosing SOGIE so that LGBTQ+ young people from ages 13-21 can receive specialized services. Please also visit their Collecting SOGIE Toolkit that has been developed to help staff implement the policy and understand how to collect SOGIE data in affirming and safe ways. This toolkit also has example forms that agencies might be able to use.
Cuyahoga County Identifies 32% of Youth in Out-of-Home Care are LGBTQ+
The Cuyahoga Youth Count was an anonymous telephone survey conducted in fall of 2019 with youth (ages 12-21) in Cuyahoga County, Ohio’s foster care system. The survey was conducted by the National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care.
