The Center for Children & Youth Justice (CCYJ) is creating better lives for generations of children and youth through reform of child welfare, youth criminal legal system, and related systems of care. At CCYJ, the eQuality Project works to create safer and more affirming systems for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth.

CCYJ is partnering with juvenile courts, homeless service providers, and Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) across Washington to implement the Protocol for Safe & Affirming Care, a guide for professionals, volunteers, and caregivers on creating safer and more affirming systems of care for LGBTQ+ youth.

CCYJ’s eQuality Project aims to create safer and more affirming systems for not only LGBTQ+ youth–but all youth–in child welfare, criminal legal systems, and related systems of care. Through implementation of the Protocol, eQuality also aims to prevent and intervene with LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.CCYJ has currently implemented the Protocol in several juvenile courts, DCYF offices, and youth serving organizations across Washington, with hopes to take it statewide in the future. If you would like to learn more about the Protocol for Safe and Affirming Care and how to bring it to your organization, please contact Becca Guest at bguest@ccyj.org.

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