Diverse SOGIE Training Series: Gender Affirming Care
Gender Affirming Care: This training provides an overview of gender affirming care and transitioning (socially, medically, and legally). These practices serve to increase safety, access to resources, and mental/emotional well-being for gender diverse people. Whether a medical professional or someone who is interested in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, participants will leave with concrete behaviors which can be implemented in a variety of roles when serving individuals with diverse gender identity and expression.
LIVE WEBINAR: Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 1-4p.m. ET3 Credits (Social Work) Approved by the NASW-Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative. Please check with your local accrediting body for reciprocity.
Please note that this training is live via Zoom. Please register for the Zoom Meeting once entering the course. This training is interactive and will ask participants to be on camera and interact with other participants through video, audio, and chat periodically. While this is an expectation of the training, we understand that there can be barriers to this type of involvement, please reach out to the trainers at training@ruthelliscenter.org for more information or accommodations.
Objectives
- Why we are discussing SOGIE (statistics, evidence-based practices, personal narratives)
- Introduction to gender-affirming care (medically, socially, and legally) as well as hearing directly from youth who have accessed gender-affirming care at Ruth Ellis Center and the medical and behavioral health professionals who practice this work
- Address common assumptions/myths related to gender diversity and gender-affirming care
Who Should Participate
- Professionals who work with children, youth, young adults, and/or families who have previous introductory knowledge on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression
- Participants can be individuals who directly work with others or be involved in supervision, management, and leadership
- Professionals who work in integrated health would especially benefit from this training, but the content is applicable in many areas of work
Courses in this Series
SOGIE 101 Monday, May 23, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. ET
Inclusive Data Collection: How to Ask About SOGIE in Systems of Care Tuesday, May 24, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. ET
Family Support with LGBTQ Children Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. ET
Gender Affirming Care Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. ET
About the Training Series
Ruth Ellis Institute has developed the following training content through researching how adult practitioners, government health and human service employees, and staff at community-based organizations leverage their existing experience to integrate more affirming practices for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
The development of this curriculum is embedded within a LGBTQ-specific direct service organization, ensuring that on-the-ground implementation is informing training content. Ruth Ellis’ model connects:
- Youth and their families lived experience
- Direct practice
- Research and evaluation
- Coaching and consulting
- Policy and regulations
Content has been developed under two internal review boards, Wayne State University (2015-2017), and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (2018-2021). The Ruth Ellis Institute surveyed over 600 participants through a pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow up to measure SOGIE knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The curriculum features content where there were statistically significant changes in participants outcomes regarding increases in support toward LGBTQ youth. These two courses are recommended for professionals who have not previously attended a SOGIE and/or LGBTQ youth training.
Trainers
Angelika Lewis (she, her, hers)
Education and Evaluation Coordinator
Ruth Ellis Center
As a coordinator and facilitator, Angelika enjoys collaborating with community, bridging the gap between lived experience and policy, and creating safe learning environments. Her work currently engaged adult learners in supporting LGBTQ+ youth and adults in their care, primarily working within systems such as child welfare, juvenile justice, and community mental health. Previously a direct care worker in fields ranging from early childhood education to community mental health, her work continues to focus on increasing equitable practices that impact the health and safety outcomes of minoritized groups, specifically LGBTQ+ youth.
Jessie Fullenkamp (she, her, hers), LMSW
Director of Education and Evaluation
Ruth Ellis Center
Jessie Fullenkamp, LMSW (she/her/hers) is a Detroit based social worker with over 20 years of experience working with communities facing systematic oppression. She led the launch of the first Medicaid billable, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) specific mental health services in the state of Michigan. Additionally, she directed the development of four new departments at the Ruth Ellis Center including Youth Programs, Behavioral Health, Family Preservation, and the Ruth Ellis Institute. Jessie has been instrumental to the implementation of the Ruth Ellis Center's principles of work; harm reduction, transformative justice, positive youth development, and trauma-informed care/healing centered work. Currently, she is leading education and evaluation embedded in direct services, contributing to a world where "LGBTQ youth are safe and supported no matter where they go."
She studied in Kumasi, Ghana and graduated with a BSW from Xavier University and a MSW from the University of Michigan. Fullenkamp lived and worked in the Federated States of Micronesia on the island of Weno, Chuuk. Through Breaking Walls, she served as the Health Ambassador for programs in Santiago, Chile and Tangier, Morocco. Her awards include the YWCA of Young Women of Excellence, the BSW Student of the Year in Ohio, the Xavier University Dorothy Day Medal, and the University of Michigan School of Social Work Distinguished Alumni Award. In May 2020, Fullenkamp delivered the University of Michigan School of Social Work Graduation Keynote Address.