Foster Care Training

This training will educate providers about diagnostic criteria, gender identity frameworks, social transition strategies, and outcomes for youth who express a desire to transition their gender before puberty (appx. 11 years of age & under.) Participants will explore how to support children, caregivers, and other providers with gender questioning and gender creative children, while engaging ethical and diagnostic concerns. Participants will complete three video case studies. 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 practice more gender-affirming based on the material reviewed.