Safe & Respected: Policy, Best Practices & Guidance for Serving Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Children and Youth Involved in the Child Welfare, Detention, and Juvenile Justice Systems, NYC Administration for Children's Services (2014)

This document is a guide of best practices for individuals working with youth in state custody that identify as transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) in New York City. The guide provide a brief overview of the barriers that TGNC children and youth are currently facing while in state custody and a glossary of terms commonly used when discussing TGNC people. It also includes guidance on best practices and strategies in providing inclusive care for TGNC children on the following topics: addressing verbal harassment, microaggressions and bullying; addressing physical aggression and violence; access to safe and affirming placements; affirming and appropriate gender segregated placements; respecting privacy and purposeful disclosure; preferred name, pronouns and identity language; documentation and records; gendered spaces; hair and personal grooming; clothing and dress; and coming out and social transition.

The guide places emphasis on not assuming that all state sites for youth custody that serve LGBTQ youth are transgender inclusive. The needs of TGNC youth are different than that of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth, and not all places are able to work effectively with TGNC youth. At the end of this guide, there are appendixes with resources and referrals that will be of use in supporting the transgender and gender non-conforming children and youth.