Advocating for Transgender & Gender Expansive System-Involved Youth in Educational, Social Services, & Family Systems

Kelsey Pacha

Training Description

This training will educate those that provide support to system involved youth about how to advocate for transgender, gender expansive, gender questioning, gender nonconforming, and gender creative children & youth in out-of-home care. With so many anti-trans youth laws passing across the country, many parents, caregivers, and providers who work with youth may experience confusion or trepidation about how to understand medical and social transition among young people, especially pre-pubescent youth. This training is designed to help provide resources to providers and caregivers that clarify myths surrounding trans youth, their legal rights, and best practices to support overall health and well-being.

We will explore laws that protect trans and gender expansive youth in the child welfare, educational, and social services system in California, and discuss ways providers can support family/social acceptance as well as advocate for the youth within systems.

Learning Objective

• Review the three dimensions of gender (identity, biology, and expression) and distinguish between transgender, gender nonconforming, and gender creative children.
• Define Gender Dysphoria and Gender Identity Disorder (DSM-5) and how these diagnoses relate to access to gender-affirming resources for system involved youth.
• Define social, medical, and legal transition.
• Review research on how to support trans and gender expansive children’s resiliency.
• Learn about the history and context of laws targeting trans youth and children, especially in relation to use of public spaces.
• Review laws protecting transgender and gender expansive children in the child welfare, education, and social services systems in CA.
• Discuss community and clinical resources for caregivers of gender questioning children, and providers who work with them.
• Practice roleplays to advocate for trans and gender expansive clients

Agenda 

9:30am-9:40am Introductions: name, gender pronoun, one thing you wish to learn. Community agreements, agenda. Participants submit questions.

9:40am-10:15am Review foundational premises—define sex assigned at birth, gender expression, and gender identity. Review research on transgender youth in foster care and health disparities.

10:15am-10:30am Discuss impact of other intersectional identities on children and families.

10:30am-11:00am Define DSM-5 diagnoses related to gender identity in children and youth. Define social, medical, and legal transition and discuss their relevance for children.

11:00am-11:15am Break (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

11:15am-11:45am Video case study & discussion: transgender, gender nonconforming, or gender creative child?

11:40am-12:10pm  Research on supporting trans children’s resiliency (use of correct name, pronoun, gender-segregated facilities, etc.)

12:10pm-12:40pm Lunch (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

12:40pm-1:20pm Watch video & discuss myths about trans children: Rapid-Onset Gender Identity Disorder and laws preventing trans children from medically transitioning, participating in gender-segregated activities.

1:20pm-2:00pm Review laws that protect trans and gender expansive children in foster care, school, and social systems.

2:00pm-2:20pm Best practice recommendations and community resources. Presenter models how to fill out Gender Support Plan.

2:20pm-2:35pm Break (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

2:35pm-2:50pm  Review 4-step conversation structure to advocate for trans and gender expansive youth/children with parents/caregivers and within systems.

2:50pm-3:40pm Small groups roleplay advocacy scenarios and discussion.

3:40pm-4:00pm Final Questions & Answers and Wrap-up.

Meet Our Trainer

Kelsey Pacha, MA, M.Div. is a trans man who has worked with marginalized communities for 15+ years in a variety of settings. He holds a Master of Religion and Psychology, Master of Divinity, and Certificate of Sexuality and Religion from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He is the owner of Kelsey Pacha Consulting, which supports the work of institutions and individuals in increasing their capacity for cultural humility and social justice-informed institutional change. Kelsey offers educational trainings and LGBTQ workplace policy expertise with an emphasis on practical skills, identity awareness, and personal empowerment. He regularly works with corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion officers and LGBTQ affinity groups, as well as legal, clinical, medical, and direct service (including child welfare and faith leader) personnel. For more information, visit kelseypachaconsulting.com or email info@kelseypachaconsulting.com.

This course meets the qualifications for (5.5) BBS CEUs for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.