iTEAM: Outcomes of an affirming system of care serving lgbtq youth experiencing homelessness
Abstract
The iTEAM (My Treatment Empowerment for Adolescents on the Move) project used a comprehensive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) affirming system-of-care approach to provide intensive case management, substance abuse and mental health treatment, linkages to housing, and other supportive services to LGBTQ and straight-allied (A) youth experiencing homelessness. The iTEAM project aimed to decrease substance use, improve mental health status, increase housing access and stability, improve life skills, increase linkages to other needed services, and reduce HIV risk behaviors. This study examines outcomes of 210 iTEAM participants who completed baseline and 6-month postbaseline self-report assessments. At follow-up, substance use remained low and mental health had improved. Engagement in employment increased, as did housing stability. These findings suggest that the iTEAM system-of-care model might be effective for working with LGBTQ and A youth experiencing homelessness.