HRC's All Children – All Families, a program of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, promotes LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and affirming practices among child welfare agencies and formally recognizes those agencies that are leading the field with innovative approaches to inclusion.

Research demonstrates the crucial nature of this work. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care, many having been rejected by their families because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Too often these young people then enter child welfare systems that further traumatize them due to a lack of inclusive policies and practices. At the same time, the LGBTQ+ community remains an untapped resource when it comes to finding families for children and youth in foster care. For these reasons, the project focuses on supporting agencies’ efforts to achieve safety, permanency and well-being by improving practice with LGBTQ+ youth and families. Since the program began in 2007, hundreds of agencies across the country have recognized the importance of this work and utilized ACAF resources.

All Children - All Families resources are tailored toward child welfare agencies (e.g., public or private agencies that provide foster care or adoption-related services) and these agencies are eligible to be formally recognized for their participation. Organizations that fall outside of child welfare are still welcome to take advantage of the project's tools (online self-assessment, resource compilations, technical assistance, training and webinars).

Further, for private contract agencies, the participation process is going to be most helpful and applicable to those that are large enough to have the organizational infrastructure in place for policy and practice assessment and implementation. Smaller agencies (e.g., those with less than 25 or so employees) and/or those just getting started in service delivery may find the formal participation process doesn’t fit but they may still take advantage of program resources.

All Children - All Families engages with agencies on a biennial cycle, typically beginning in late Spring of each year. An interested agency can request to participate at any time and the ACAF team will be in touch to connect the agency with the available resources given where the timing falls within the cycle.

At the start of the cycle, participants are given access to a customized Agency Self-Assessment tool (completed online) which assists them in measuring their current level of LGBTQ+ inclusion. The assessment focuses on several different policy and practice benchmarks, the number of which is dependent on the Tier of Recognition that an agency is pursuing or maintaining. Participating agencies that demonstrate a minimum level of LGBTQ+ inclusion will be formally recognized at the end of the cycle and celebrated throughout the year as benchmarks are met. The assessment also has best practices designed specifically for CASA/GAL affiliates and Adoption Exchanges.

In addition to the assessment, ACAF provides individualized technical assistance as well as group-based sessions to facilitate learning between and among participating agencies as they work toward benchmarks. Participating agencies also enroll staff members in the All Children - All Families Webinar Series to provide professional development opportunities specific to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Participating agencies are recognized at three different levels of inclusion, depending on the extent to which they have implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and affirming practices and ACAF provides resources and technical assistance to help agencies at all levels. This recognition enhances agencies’ efforts to establish a track record of LGBTQ+ inclusion and build meaningful relationships with LGBTQ+ communities in their area. Read more about the tiers of recognition.

At this level, agencies are often at the early stages of inclusive policy and practice implementation. Benchmarks focus on establishing non-discrimination protections, providing staff with online learning related to LGBTQ+ topics, and improving LGBTQ+ inclusion in forms, paperwork, and messaging. This tier’s requirements are meaningful and achievable for agencies beginning their work on LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Tier Benchmark Requirements

1. Non-Discrimination: Client Non-Discrimination & Employment Non-Discrimination

2. Staff Training: Webinar Participation Requirement

3. Rolling Out The Welcome Mat: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Forms & Visual Cues

Recognition Opportunities

• Provided with "Building Foundation for Inclusion" digital image with ACAF's program branding, recognizing you as a participating agency.

• Listed in All Children - All Families Engagement Cycle report celebrating agencies that have committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

• Recognized in “Field Forward,” All Children - All Families monthly newsletter reaching thousands of child welfare professionals.

• Added to All Children - All Families map of LGBTQ+ inclusive agencies.

At this level, agencies have implemented the essential elements of LGBTQ+ inclusion in policies and affirming practices. Benchmarks go beyond basic non-discrimination protections to the policies and practices necessary to actively “roll out the welcome mat” to the LGBTQ+ community. These agencies have also assessed their practices specific to youth and parents to ensure LGBTQ+ inclusion and acted to make these efforts sustainable for the long term. Organizations that achieve the Solid Tier receive the “You Are Welcome Here” Seal of Recognition.

Tier Benchmark Requirements
To achieve this level of recognition, the core policy and practice areas in categories 1-6 must be in place:

1. Non-Discrimination

2. Staff Training: Webinar Participation Requirement & Basic Ongoing Training Plan

3. Rolling Out The Welcome Mat

4. Parent Best Practices*

5. Youth Best Practices*

6. Sustainability & Capacity Building

At this level, agencies are pushing themselves beyond the solid foundation they have built and implementing innovative approaches to LGBTQ+ inclusion in each of the seven key policy and practice areas. Benchmarks at this level also require agencies to demonstrate leadership in areas like policy advocacy or organizational partnerships. Organizations that achieve the Innovative Tier receive the “Innovator” Seal of Recognition

Tier Benchmark Requirements
To achieve this level of recognition, the core policy and practice areas in categories 1-6 must be in place. In addition, agencies must demonstrate at least one example of innovation in practice areas 2-7.

1. Non-Discrimination

2. Staff Training: Webinar Participation Requirement & Advanced Ongoing Training Plan

3. Rolling Out The Welcome Mat

4. Parent Best Practices

5. Youth Best Practices

6. Sustainability & Capacity Building

7. Leadership & Innovation

Recognition Opportunities
In addition to the recognition opportunities outlined above, Innovative organizations also enjoy the following benefits:

• Exclusively awarded Seal of Recognition as an “Innovator in Supporting and Serving LGBTQ+ Youth & Families”

• Become a priority agency for features in All Children - All Families online learning offerings (optional)

• Become eligible for HRC’s National Foster Care Month and National Adoption Month blog series (optional)

• Featured in HRC social media postings (optional)

• Support for agency-hosted Seal of Recognition presentation event (optional)

After an agency completes the All Children - All Families Request to Participate form, they can begin the first step of the participation process! To start, agencies should select a team of staff members who will collaborate on leading the organization’s engagement with All Children - All Families. Depending on an agency’s size, the team can range from two people to a 15-person steering committee (for larger, public agencies). In order to determine who will be on the team, think about which colleagues oversee the policies and practices that are included in the Benchmarks of LGBTQ+ Inclusion.

Next, all new participants should schedule an onboarding call with a member of the ACAF team. Returning participants do not have to have an onboarding call unless there have been substantial changes at your agency. If you have new staff completing the process, please email that information to the team.

Ensuring buy-in from leadership is essential to any organizational change effort. To assist in this important step, ACAF provides an “Executive Briefing” webinar tailored to agency leaders. All participating agencies are required to have at least one senior leader attend a briefing during the participation process and are encouraged to do so early in the engagement cycle.

Learn more and register for the Executive Briefing:

• Presented by: All Children - All Families | 60 minutes
  This webinar is designed for executives interested in gaining greater awareness about themselves and their organizations, and to specifically offer proven leadership and innovation approaches that can create a more LGBTQ+ inclusive organization. Learn how the All Children - All Families Benchmarks of LGBTQ+ Inclusion align with your agency’s diversity and inclusion vision, understand why cultivating champions on your leadership team is essential, and explore sustainability strategies to ensure changes stick over the long-run.

View Recorded Webinar

After the team finalizes the Agency Self-Assessment for the year's cycle, we will send each participating agency unique login information. Once the tool is accessed, it will guide an agency’s review of the Benchmarks of LGBTQ+ Inclusion. Agencies are required to complete the assessment by mid-September each cycle year, at which point ACAF works with agencies to finalize their responses for that year’s cycle.

• Read more about the Agency Self-Assessment

• Review Benchmarks

As an agency is working to complete its assessment, necessary policy and practice changes will be clear. Each Benchmark area listed in the tool is required to achieve your agency's intended Tier of Recognition. If you respond "no" to a Benchmark question that is marked as required for achieving your Tier of Recognition, that is the policy and practice implementation you need to complete by the self-assessment deadline.

Throughout this stage, ACAF resources such as model policies and individual and group technical assistance sessions are available to assist in implementing the improvements necessary to achieve the Benchmarks of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in a particular tier. The assessment also has best practices designed specifically for CASA/GAL affiliates and Adoption Exchanges.

Each biennial assessment cycle, All Children - All Families offers group-based technical assistance (TA) for its participating agencies. Each TA session provides the opportunity to connect and learn from peers in the field working to implement these policy and practice changes.

The sessions are 60-minutes and designed for the agency staff member(s) that are leading the All Children - All Families engagement at your agency. These leads should also consider inviting agency team members who are integral to the work towards particular benchmarks. It is highly recommended that prior to attending a TA session, participants have reviewed ACAF's Benchmarks of LGBTQ+ Inclusion and the Agency Self-Assessment.

A key component of ACAF participation is the professional development available to agency staff through the program’s annual webinar series. Participating agencies are required to meet specific participation goals based on the tier they are pursuing.

Read more about online learning with HRC Learn below!

After agencies submit the self-assessment, ACAF works with them to finalize their responses. This process includes opportunities to further discuss policy and practices, provide updates to ACAF, and be informed of the agency’s final Tier of Recognition (typically by the end of January) that will be included in our cycle report. Participating agencies are recognized at three different levels of LGBTQ+ inclusion, depending on the extent to which they have implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and affirming practices. The description and recognition opportunities for each tier are outlined above.

ACAF Benchmarks for CASA/GAL Affiliates

Click Here to Download PDF of Benchmarks for CASA/GAL Affiliates.

CASA/GAL affiliates participating in All Children - All Families are assessed on the following policy and practice areas:

1. Non-Discrimination

2. Staff Training

3. Rolling out the Welcome Mat

4. CASA Best Practices

5. Youth Best Practices

6. Sustainability & Capacity Building

7. Leadership & Innovation

CASA/GAL affiliates should implement the following key practices to ensure that LGBTQ+ adults are welcomed and included as CASA/GAL volunteers. Where applicable, parent training and support materials should include considerations for caring for LGBTQ+ youth. Each practice below is required for the Solid Tier.

• CASA/GAL targets LGBTQ+ volunteers in recruitment efforts (e.g., using ads featuring LGBTQ+ volunteers, attending LGBTQ+ events, partnering with LGBTQ+ community groups, and engaging current LGBTQ+ volunteers as ambassadors).

• CASA/GAL ensures LGBTQ+ volunteers feel included in volunteer trainings (e.g., trainers are prepared to deliver LGBTQ+ related content and skilled in creating an inclusive space for LGBTQ parents).

• CASA/GALS’s volunteer trainings provide information on creating a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., agency LGBTQ +youth policy, research on LGBTQ+ youth in care, affirming caregiver behaviors, etc.).

• CASA/GAL provides LGBTQ+ inclusive ongoing support and education to existing volunteers.

• CASA/GAL provides staff with guidance on conducting LGBTQ+ affirming volunteer interviews/assessments.

• CASA/GAL tracks data on the number of LGBTQ+ volunteers served (e.g., information on number of LGBTQ+ volunteers approved and number of placements, etc.).

• CASA/GAL identifies and utilizes a list of LGBTQ+ competent referrals for outside services for volunteers.

ACAF Benchmarks for an Adoption Exchange

Click Here to Download PDF of Benchmarks for Adoption Exchanges

Adoption Exchanges participating in All Children - All Families are assessed on the following policy and practice areas:

1. Non-Discrimination

2. Staff Training

3. Rolling Out the Welcome Mat

4. Adoption Exchange Best Practices

5. Sustainability & Capacity Building

6. Leadership & Innovation

Overview
Under certain circumstances, participants in All Children - All Families may do so on behalf of more than one agency location. Typically All Children – All Families staff will discuss this option with an agency at the beginning of the participation process, during the onboarding call. The "Agency Information" section of the assessment gives you the opportunity to indicate whether you are completing the assessment on behalf of a "single agency location" or "multiple agency locations."

In order to participate on behalf of "multiple agency locations,” assessment answers must apply to all locations listed and a list of each agency location must be uploaded.

Eligibility
Agencies are permitted to complete an assessment on behalf of multiple locations under these conditions:

• Each location represents an actual "brick and mortar" agency site that recruits, licenses, supports and/or makes placements with foster/adoptive families and/or provides direct services to youth in out-of-home care.

• Each location has full-time staff.

• The policies and practices covered in Non Discrimination, Staff Training and Rolling Out The Welcome Mat are standard across each location (including evidence of how the policies are shared with staff members and clients).

• Sufficient evidence can be provided that the best practices covered in all remaining sections are met at each location.

Note: If an agency’s multiple locations are in different states and each of the conditions above are not clearly met, it is highly recommended that the agency participates on a site-by-site or state-by-state basis.

Public Listings
If an agency meets the conditions outlined above, then once the assessment is completed, its multiple agency locations will be indicated in public listings of participating agencies in one of two ways:

• If space allows, explicitly listing the multiple locations on the database itself. If the list of locations is longer than two or three individual city/county sites, then only the agency’s headquarters location will be listed on the database and "(multiple locations)" will be indicated next to the agency’s name and headquarters location, with a link to the agency’s website

The All Children – All Families map will also show a marker at the headquarters location with a link within the agency description to the agency website

Overview
Participants in All Children – All Families may do so on behalf of an entire agency or a specific division within the agency. Under certain circumstances (see below), it may be best for an agency to participate on behalf of a specific agency division.

Eligibility
Some of the agency’s service areas are outside ACAF’s scope (mandatory)

All Children – All Families assists agencies in their efforts to achieve safety, permanency and well-being for youth in foster care by increasing agencies’ capacity to serve both LGBTQ+ foster/adoptive parents and LGBTQ+ youth in care. While many of ACAF’s benchmarks are applicable regardless of service area (for example client non-discrimination and employment non-discrimination) ACAF’s expertise as a program is specific to services for youth and families related to foster care/adoption/child welfare services.

For this reason, an agency with multiple divisions that provide a mix of child welfare services and services outside of that realm, will be approved to participate on behalf of the child welfare division(s). For example, “Lighthouse Youth Services (Foster Care & Adoption Services).”

The agency (usually public or a large private provider) chooses to focus efforts on one division (optional)

All Children – All Families takes a comprehensive approach to assessing an agency’s policies and practices related to serving LGBTQ+ youth and families. We strongly encourage agencies within ACAF’s scope to assess their full array of services. However, for some agencies (mostly larger public and private agencies), it may be preferable to participate on behalf of a specific division.

Public Listings
If an agency meets the conditions outlined above, then once the assessment is completed, all public listings appear as follows:

• The agency’s name in all public listings of participants will make it clear that only the specific division is participating in All Children – All Families (e.g., New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Trenton, NJ)

• All use of a Seal of Recognition and references to your agency’s status as achieving the “Solid” or “Innovative” Tier of recognition must be specific to this Division

In this process, the HRC LEARN team, in collaboration with ACAF, will enroll your team members into the platform for you. To facilitate this process, the organization admin needs to complete a Staff Import Template provided by the ACAF team. Please reach out to acaf@hrc.org to receive this template. The auto-enrollment process will then occur as follows:

• Step 1: Agency lead sends the completed Staff Import Template file to admin@learnadmin.hrc.org.

• Step 2: The HRC LEARN Admin team will enroll your team members into the platform. Upon enrollment, your team members will receive an email from admin@learnadmin.hrc.org asking them to confirm their email address. Once that is complete, they’ll then be prompted to update their password. It is recommended that you send your team members notice that they will be receiving this email so they can check spam as needed.

• Step 3: Your team members receive their enrollment emails and follow instructions to confirm their email addresses and update their passwords. Upon login, they will already be enrolled in the course(s) necessary to meet their training requirement based on your organization’s intended Tier of Recognition and their staff role.

• Step 4: Users can now access courses from the “My Courses” page linked on the “Home Page” they view upon login.

In this process, your team members will enroll themselves into the HRC LEARN platform using an access code that is specific to your organization. To facilitate this process, the organizational admin needs to complete the following steps.

• Step 1: Notify the ACAF Team at acaf@hrc.org if multiple users (3+) from your organization will be enrolling themselves in the platform.

• Step 2: The ACAF Team will provide you with your organization’s unique access code for HRC LEARN.

• Step 3: The Organization Admin sends team members an email with instructions for enrolling into the HRC LEARN platform, which includes your organization’s access code. (Note that new users must enter the unique access code when registering to ensure accurate webinar progress tracking and reporting.)

  • Please connect with the ACAF team for template language to share HRC LEARN login instructions with staff.

• Step 4: Team members will register as a new user in the HRC LEARN platform using their organization’s access code. Upon registering, team members will be prompted to answer a few required registration questions and will then receive an email from admin@learnadmin.hrc.org. Based on responses to registration fields, users will be auto-enrolled into courses that meet their training requirement based on your organization’s intended Tier of Recognition and their staff role.

• Step 5: Upon registration, your team members will receive an email asking them to confirm their email address. This email will also include their username (email address) and a temporary password. Once they confirm their email address, they can then login and update their account with a preferred password.

• Step 6: Users can now access courses from the “My Courses” page and may begin learning.

Once staff members register for HRC LEARN (through mass enrollment or self-registration), they will be auto-enrolled into their assigned ACAF training.

For agencies engaged in the All Children - All Families participation process and working to meet the ACAF training requirement, it is recommended that you share the webinars your team should complete in at least one of the following ways:

Email blast

Information placed on employee training portal/learning center

Information placed on the facility intranet

Included in training updates/newsletter

Flyers or electronic displays in places where employees will see them. Below, we’ve included information and resources ACAF participants can use to publicize the availability of the free ACAF webinars to their staff and understand their webinar requirements.

Quick Links

Guide to ACAF 2024 Staff Training Requirements (except CASA participants):

New Participants

Returning Participants

Guide to ACAF 2024 Staff Training Requirements (only CASA participants):

New Participants

Returning Participants

2024 Ongoing Training Plan Template (Solid and Innovative Tier only)

HRC Learn (Learning Management System)

Templates

Check out the template language below that you can use for email blasts, newsletters, your intranet site, etc., and the editable flyer templates (8 1/2 X 11) with space for you to add your organization’s logo and other organization-specific information.
 

Download 90-Minute Core Curriculum Templates:

This template language is for all new participants and returners that have not yet achieved the Solid or Innovative Tier of Recognition.

Download the 90-minute core curriculum flyer template

Download 60-Minute Webinar Templates:
 

This template language is for returning participants that have already achieved the Solid or Innovative Tier of Recognition.

Download the 60-minute core curriculum flyer template

These templates should be edited to include relevant agency information prior to sharing it with staff. Here are some tips:

Template Language - We recommend downloading the template, making your edits, and then copying and pasting the text wherever you plan to use it.

Flyer Template - These templates are designed to be edited prior to sharing, we recommend saving the flyer as a PDF before distributing via email.

In order to register for ACAF’s webinars, staff should visit HRC LEARN.
 

If staff do not already have an HRC LEARN account, they will need to register for one using your organization's Access Code. If you do not know your organization's Access Code, please reach out to acaf@hrc.org. 

By registering for HRC LEARN with your organization's access code, your staff’s participation will be successfully tracked.

The webinars in the Core Curriculum Track are eligible for 1.5 CEs from the National Association of Social Workers at a cost of $40 per webinar. Participants will be given access to the website for purchasing these CEs in a follow-up email after completing the post-test. Employees at agencies that are formally participating in ACAF or those with financial need are eligible for a discounted rate. The agency's lead point of contact for ACAF engagement should keep the discount code on hand to share with staff as needed to submit at the time of payment. If you have questions about the discount code for CEUs, please reach out to our team.

Here are three easy steps to earn Continuing Education Credits with All Children - All Families Core Curriculum Track:

Participate in the webinar by visiting the HRC LEARN platform.

Complete the course post-test: After participating in the webinar, you will be tasked with completing a post-test to evaluate what you’ve learned from the course. NASW requires a completed post-test with a minimum score of 80% or above to earn CEs.

Submit Payment & Receive Certificate: Upon completing the post-test with a score above 80%, participants will be given access to the website for payment submission through their post-test confirmation e-mail. 

The resources above are tailored for organizations accessing All Children - All Families webinars from the HRC Foundation’s HRC LEARN learning management system (LMS). If your organization already has an LMS in place and would prefer to host ACAF webinars on your platform, please contact acaf@hrc.org to request a Webinar Licensing contract.

If your organization is hosting ACAF webinars on your own LMS, the templates provided above may still help communicate the request for participation, but will need to be updated to reflect your own LMS instructions.

Adoptions Together, Silver Spring, MD

“My team is motivated to solve problems and do better so that the families we serve always get our best. When they asked for more information and resources to deepen our engagement within our trans community, our longtime partnership with ACAF was invaluable. The Benchmarks of LGBTQ Inclusion clearly outlined the concrete actions we could take to improve and ACAF staff were there to answer our questions along the way.”

– Janice Goldwater, Founder & Executive Director

Aviva Family and Children's Services, Los Angeles, CA

"Aviva is honored to be recognized as a leader in serving LGBTQ youth and families, especially given the disproportionate number of foster youth in Los Angeles County– approximately one in five– who identify as LGBTQ. This acknowledgement is a testament to the humanity and dedication of our staff and complements our mission and belief that every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserve a chance for a brighter future.”

– Regina Bette, President and Chief Executive Officer

Devereux Arizona, Maricopa, Pima, and Cochise Counties, AZ

“Working with All Children - All Families has made us the employer of choice, the service provider of choice and the charitable organization of choice in our community. People know that we are an inclusive agency and that draws people to us. Attaining the Innovator Tier of Recognition this year has reaffirmed our standing in Arizona as the most qualified provider of services for the LGBTQ community.”

– Lane Barker, Executive Director

Forever Families Through Adoption Inc., Rye Brook, NY

“FFTA is truly proud and pleased to continue to place children with LGBT families and to always focus on the best interests of children in need of their forever family. As we celebrate the awarding of the All Children - All Families Seal of Recognition we are not only supporting the LGBT community, but are standing up for ethical practice by removing barriers to LGBT adults who dream of becoming parents and to children in need of a safe, permanent and loving family.”

– Joy S. Goldstein, LCSW, ACSW, FFTA, Executive Director

FosterAdopt Connect, Independence, MO

“As an agency serving LGBTQ youth and families, we knew that wanting to be inclusive wasn’t enough — we needed to make some changes. Through our participation in All Children - All Families, we’ve transformed that desire into a proven track record of providing welcoming and affirming services. We are proud to be a trusted resource for our LGBTQ community members and we’re committed to the ongoing work it takes to maintain that trust.”

– Lori Ross, President and CEO

Hands Across the Water, Ann Arbor, MI

“By earning this seal I am more confident than ever that we are prepared to assist LGBT clients build their families and meet their needs as parents, as well as expand the pool of parents for the children who need them. And that is our ultimate goal.”

– Kathleen Nelson, LMSW, ACSW, Director

Jewish Family and Children Services, Philadelphia, PA

"As an organization we are committed to ensuring all LGBTQ individuals and families receive only the best care possible. From young children to adults and the elderly community, JFCS has examined and transformed our agency with an eye toward LGBTQ inclusion. We are especially proud of this recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This is testament to the humanity and dedication of our staff and reflects our agency’s vision — uniting expertise with compassion and cultural competency to achieve the goal of creating loving, affirming and supportive families for the LGBTQ youth and families we serve."

– Paula Goldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer

Uplift Family Services, Campbell, CA

“We chose to work with HRC to ensure we are doing our part to actively welcome, affirm and support LGBT parents and families. We value what LGBT families have to offer our waiting children and want to see more LGBT foster and adoptive parents. The seal itself is a symbol of our efforts and hopefully a visible sign to LGBT families of our commitment.”

– Roberto Favela, MSW, LCSW, Vice President of Foster Care & Adoption Services