Foster Care Training

This training explores vocabulary and linguistic considerations, provides essential information about sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity and expression, and intersections of those issues with health and social services systems. Recommended practices for inclusion of LGBTQ+ clients are presented along with action steps and examples to help carry them out. In Part 1, the training will discuss the importance of recognizing LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system and emphasizing permanency for their overall health and wellbeing. Part 1 of this training will define sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, use inclusive language with LGBTQ+ youth, and understand the impact of inclusive language on building trust and communication. Part 1 will also explore how participants can identify biases and intervene effectively, understand the coming-out process for LGBTQ+ youth, and recognize the impact of accepting/rejecting behaviors on youth’s health outcomes.