Addressing Resistance and Fear in Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth

Dr. Laura S. Anderson

Training Description

Gender expansive and LGBTQ+ system involved youth face additional hurdles in the integration of a healthy identity. They deserve safe, informed and affirming care. This training will address the difficult issue of supporting caregivers who are not well informed about issues related to Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and caregivers who may have biases and beliefs that are harmful to youth in their care.  We will discuss resources and specific scripts and tips for improving understanding and ways to show concrete affirmation for youth with SOGIE-specific needs in foster care and adoptive placements. Gender expansive and LGBTQ+ youth in care need us to continue to develop skills to support them fully and set them up to thrive.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will define 3 distinct challenges that gender expansive and LGBTQ+ youth experience as they integrate their child and adolescent identities while…