{"database": "openregs", "table": "comment_texts", "rows": [["0000613b62060f377b95cf155ded47bb0c3426487219d09adb68b27a633ef184", " ACF-2023-0007-0001 Safe and Appropriate F... ,\n\n\nHello,\n\nMy name is Winfred March and I\u2019m from Cleburne, TX.  I\u2019m writing in support of the Administration for Children and Families\u2019 amended regulations on safe and appropriate placements for foster children issued through its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. \n\nLGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care and are often denied their right to safe homes that affirm who they are. I applaud ACF for requiring that, moving forward, state and tribal agencies maintain case plans that include a sufficient number of safe and appropriate placements for LGBTQ+ youth in their care. LGBTQ+ foster youth should not be subjected to abuse or discrimination, including by placements that practice so-called \u201cconversion therapy,\u201d and this rule will be an important safeguard for ensuring they can receive safe and proper care. \n\nI agree with ACF that to be considered safe and appropriate, placements should have to guarantee that LGBTQ+ youth in their care will have access to evidence-based behavioral and mental health care, if needed, that is supportive of their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. I believe that this should include requiring access to gender-affirming care and other best practices shown to advance the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. \n\nACF should ensure that all LGBTQ+ foster youth can receive information on this important rule. Likewise, ACF should provide all necessary safeguards in its final rule so LGBTQ+ youth can continue to access their existing sources of support and can be kept free from retaliation if they do request a new and safer placement. \n\nLGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care and are often denied their right to safe homes that affirm who they are. LGBTQ+ foster youth should not be subjected to abuse or discrimination, including by placements that practice so called \u201cconversion therapy.\u201d Placements for LGBTQ+ foster youth should have access to evidence-based behavioral and mental health care, if needed, that is supportive of their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.\n\nLGBTQ+ foster youth should be kept free from retaliation if they request a new and safer placement. \n\nSincerely,\n\nWinfred March\n929 Sanders Rd\nCleburne, TX 760317843", 1, "54d74bf43be3860bd8ac0565e33e77398c4a3622135d372e208a31d7c60dd1a0"]], "columns": ["body_sha256", "comment_text", "n_comments", "body_cluster_sha"], "primary_keys": ["body_sha256"], "primary_key_values": ["0000613b62060f377b95cf155ded47bb0c3426487219d09adb68b27a633ef184"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.3051730018341914, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}