All Children - All Families 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 benefits of each tier is outlined below.

Click Here to Download a PDF of the Tiers of Recognition

Click Here for ACAF 2019 Report Featuring the Inaugural List of Agencies in each Tier

Building Foundation for Inclusion

At this level, agencies are often at the early stages of inclusive policy and practice implementation. Benchmarks focus on establishing nondiscrimination 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

• Listed in All Children - All Families annual 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.
   

Solid Foundation for Inclusion

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
3. Rolling Out The Welcome Mat
4. Parent Best Practices
5. Youth Best Practices
6. Sustainability & Capacity Building

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

• Awarded “You Are Welcome Here” Seal of Recognition with HRC’s brand, certifying you as an LGBTQ welcoming and affirming agency.
• Included in All Children - All Families public listings (eg. webpages, outreach collateral, etc.).
• Added to All Children - All Families map of LGBTQ-inclusive agencies.
• Celebrated on HRC’s blog with a post highlighting your agency’s Solid tier achievement (optional)
• Press release template provided by HRC for agency’s communications (optional)
   

Innovative Inclusion

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
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 & Famiies”
• Provided with a poster of “Innovator” Seal of Recognition for agency display
• Become 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 agency in National Adoption Month “Adoption 101” webinar for HRC members and supporters (optional)
• Featured in HRC social media postings (optional)
• Support for agency-hosted Seal of Recognition presentation event (optional)