Diverse SOGIE Training Series: Family Support with LGBTQ Children

Three CEU Credits (Social Work): Approved by the NASW-Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative. Please check with your local accrediting body for reciprocity.

This training introduces participants to the Family Acceptance Project’s research, which highlights the correlation between caregiver behaviors toward LGBT youth and future health and safety outcomes. Additionally, participants will learn about family preservation and the Ruth Ellis Center’s approach to working with families of LGBTQ+ youth.

This training series is interactive, and participants are asked to be on camera and able to 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. Reach out to the trainers ahead of time at for more information or accommodations.

Objectives

• Connect participants’ work and sense of purpose to the training material: Building safety for youth and families
• Why we are covering the material we are (statistics, evidence-based practices, stories)
• Examining family work in this context
• Learning how we do the work (language and tools)
• Sharing different perspectives from our personal lens which affect our professional work
• Going forward: Resources and the referral process

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 with others or be involved in supervision, management, and leadership
• People involved in Family Preservation work would especially benefit from this training, but the content is applicable in many areas of work (case managers, social workers, foster parents, case supervisors, program staff, program managers, program directors, quality assurance)

Courses in this Series

SOGIE 101
Tuesday, May 23 from 1-4 p.m. ET

LGBTQ Visibility and Housing in Systems of Care
Wednesday, May 24 from 1-4 p.m. ET

Family Support with LGBTQ Children
Thursday, May 25 from 1-4 p.m. ET

Gender Affirming Care
Friday, May 26 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 in Family Support with LGBTQ Children 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.