Special Feature: Transforming Child Welfare Panel on Queering Child Welfare and Child Well-being (Part 2)
“We practice from being pain-averse, wanting to shut it down. But there are other cultures that teach us that pain can be a very powerful teacher for us. And embracing that kind of perspective, again, allows for different outcomes to occur. So challenging the moments when we experience scarcity or fear and addressing that and seeing what changes it makes to our practices, is important. ”
Marko Aguilar Maurer
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About the Episode
This episode is Part 2 of a special two-part feature from the Centre for the Study of Services to Children and Families’ annual Transformative Child Welfare Panel, held on February 27, 2026.
In this second half, we move into an open and unstructured Q&A with panelists Kayla Kenney, Kristi Pinderi, Marco Aguilar Maurer, Emma McIlroy, and Kyle Turone. Building on the research and reflections shared in Part 1, this conversation creates space for deeper dialogue on practice, policy, and lived experiences related to 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth in the child welfare system; offering further insights and considerations for how child welfare systems can continue to evolve in more inclusive, affirming, and responsive ways.
If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, we recommend starting there for the full introduction and overview of the panel.
Timestamps
00:08 – Opening the Panel Q&A: What Concrete Changes Could Improve Outcomes for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth?
01:52 – What Affirming Care Requires in Foster Homes and Staffed Resource Settings
03:10 – When Youth Age Out: Barriers Around ID, Transition Support, and Safety
08:56 – What Does It Mean to Prevent Harm, Not Just Respond to It?
10:39 – Supporting Parents and Addressing Family Responses Holistically
13:36 – Research Fatigue and Anti-Oppressive Practice in Child Welfare Research
17:09 – How Can Social Workers Recruit and Support Affirming Caregivers?
22:32 – How Does the Current Political Climate Shape Safety and Belonging for Trans and Gender-Diverse Youth?
25:24 – What Would Stronger Collaboration Between MCFD and Community Organizations Look Like?
29:50 – Closing Reflections on Complexity, Storytelling, and Creativity
Mentioned in this Episode
Right to Thrive report
We Are Allies
Our Guests
Kayla Kenney (they/any) is a registered clinical social worker and a PhD Candidate at the UBC School of Social Work. Their doctoral research
focuses on social work practice with younger trans and gender diverse people in healthcare. Kayla has
clinical experience as a behavioural health clinician providing counselling with TGD youth and families.
Kristi Pinderi (he/him) is a registered social worker, a child welfare practitioner, and a former pioneer activist for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Albania and queer refugees in Canada. He completed his Master of Social Work at UBC. Kristi is a cofounder of Tirana Pride, and of STREHA, the first residential shelter for LGBTQ+ unhoused youths in all the Southeast Europe.
Marko Aguilar Maurer (he/him) graduated from the Master of Arts program in Human Development, Learning, and Culture at UBC. Marko’s research explores queering children’s rights in the context of child and youth care to promote new understandings that challenge normative assumptions about child welfare and envision new ways to protect children, families, and communities (previously published as Berrak-Tinaz, M.).
Emma McIlroy (she/her) is a social worker with a decade of experience across health and child welfare systems. She works to advocate for inclusive, culturally safe, and identity-affirming care for children and families.
Kyle Turone (he/him) is a social worker and researcher based in British Columbia whose work focuses on trauma-informed and equity-centred practice with children, youth, and families. He holds a BSW from the University of Victoria and an MSW from UBC.