Foster Care Training

This training will educate those who support system involved transition age youth (TAY) about gender-affirming care for transgender, nonbinary, and gender questioning youth & children. Participants will define gender-affirming care in terms of both medical and mental health care through exploring its six premises: 1) gender variations are not disorders 2) gender is diverse and varied across cultures 3) gender is: bio-psycho-social 4) gender is not binary but fluid 5) dysphoria is not always limited to the body and 6) that acceptance by family/other caregivers significantly improves mental health. Participants will define three types of gender transition and explore how gender-affirming care relates. We will also review AB 2119 Gender Health in Foster Care, which establishes the legal right to gender-affirming care for foster youth. Finally, participants will discuss how they can make their support for system involved transition age youth more gender-affirming based on the material reviewed.