School-Based Advocacy for Transgender System Involved Youth

Kelsey Pacha

Training Description

This training will educate those who support system involved youth about how to advocate for transgender, gender expansive, gender questioning, gender nonconforming, and gender creative children & youth in school-based settings. With over 220 laws limiting access to gender-affirming & safe educational spaces proposed since 2021 across the United States, there is a lot of confusion about what practices support not only trans/gender expansive youth health, but the well-being of all children in schools. Participants will learn 3 empirically-based responses to 6 common anti-trans youth myths, review 5 laws protecting transgender and gender expansive children in the educational system, and familiarize themselves with 6 resources that can help them advocate for trans system involved youth in California school-based settings.

Learning Objectives

1. Distinguish between transgender, gender nonconforming, and gender creative children via discussion & video case study.

2. Learn 3 responses to 6 common anti-trans youth myths.

3. Review 4 research studies with recommendations on how to support trans and gender expansive children’s resiliency.

4. Review 5 laws protecting transgender and gender expansive system involved youth in the educational system in California.

Agenda 

10:00-10:10am  Introductions: name, gender pronoun, one thing you wish to learn. Community agreements, agenda. Participants submit questions.

10:10-11:30am  Context: review of anti-trans youth laws and common myths about trans/gender expansive youth. Review foundational premises—define transgender, gender nonconforming, & gender creative. Small group case study distinguishing between a gender nonconforming, & gender creative child, and what school-based practices are needed for this child’s health. Review research on supporting trans children’s resiliency (use of correct name, pronoun, gender-segregated facilities, etc.)

11:30-11:45am  Break (CEUs will not be offered for this time)

11:45am-12:30pm  Discuss impact of other intersectional identities on children and families. Review laws that protect trans and gender expansive children in foster care, school, and social systems. Best practice recommendations and community resources. Presenter models how to fill out Gender Support Plan.

12:30-1:00pm  Final Questions & Answers and wrap-up and Course Evaluations

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. 

This course meets the qualifications for (2.75) 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.