Indigenized Family Acceptance Project for Lakota LGBTQ2S+ Youth
Official title: Development and Evaluation of an Indigenized Family Acceptance Project for Lakota LGBTQ2S+ Youth
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11520425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A culturally tailored program helps Lakota LGBTQ2S+ teens (ages 13–18) and their caregivers feel safer, connected, and supported at home and in their community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $65,295 |
| NIH project number | 3R34MH134937-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Lakota LGBTQ2S+ youth aged 13–18 and their caregivers in Rapid City, SD and on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
✕Less likely to help
Youth or families not engaged with Lakota communities or not experiencing family conflict related to sexual orientation or gender identity may have limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project adapts the Family Acceptance Project to Lakota cultural traditions and community priorities, working with youth, caregivers, Elders, and knowledge keepers. It will refine the intervention through advisory boards, theatre testing, and a pilot open trial, then compare traditional FAP, Indigenized FAP, and a wait-list control in a small randomized trial to see how feasible and acceptable it is and whether it shows promising signals of benefit. The study includes enhanced safety infrastructure to responsibly recruit and support families during participation. By focusing on family acceptance and culturally grounded practices, the project aims to reduce distress and improve well-being among Lakota LGBTQ2S+ youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families may experience stronger support, reduced youth distress, and improved communication around gender and sexual identity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior family-acceptance work has shown promise, and culturally tailored adaptations are encouraged, though this Indigenized approach is novel for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Edwards, Katie M — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Edwards, Katie M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.