Recorded Webinars
LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Prevention Series:
Webinar #1 (10/13/2021)
Title: Best Practices for Working with Families of LGBTQ+ Children and Youth
Description: This virtual 30-minute presentation will provide helpful tips on working with families and other caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth. Some families may struggle to understand their child or youth’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Some may fear rejection from their own communities or fear of what the future may hold for their family. During this session, attendees will hear about the importance of family support, strategies for helping families process their feelings, and promising programs that are making strides towards creating evidence-based programs for families of LGBTQ+ youth. The 30 minute presentation will be followed by a 15 minute Q&A.
Learning Objectives:
- Learners will hear about the importance of family acceptance for LGBTQ+ children and youth
- Learners will gain tools, such as cultural humility principles and promising practices, for working with the families of LGBTQ+ children and youth
- Learners will leave with an understanding of important dynamics such as deep culture and family fear of discrimination that are important elements when working with families effectively.
Presenter: Dr. Angela Weeks is the Project Director for the National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care. As part of this work, she has helped design, implement, and evaluate 15 different programs and initiatives for LGBTQ+ children, youth, and their families experiencing foster care. She also leads the Center of Excellence for LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity for the Institute for Innovation and Implementation at University of Maryland, School of Social Work.
Webinar #2 (11/1/2021)
Title: Responding When A Youth Discloses Their LGBTQ Identity
Description: During this 30-minute session, attendees will learn strategies for responding when a student discloses their sexual orientation and gender identity. The discussion will include ways to respond and what to do with the information once you know it. The 30 minute presentation will be followed by a 15 minute Q&A.
Learning Objectives:
- Hear about the importance of affirming responses to disclosure
- Learn examples of responses they could use when an LGBTQ+ youth tells them their identity
- Learners will leave with guidance on what to do with the information after is it disclosed
Presenter: Dr. Angela Weeks is the Project Director for the National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care. As part of this work, she has helped design, implement, and evaluate 15 different programs and initiatives for LGBTQ+ children, youth, and their families experiencing foster care. She also leads the Center of Excellence for LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity for the Institute for Innovation and Implementation at University of Maryland, School of Social Work.
Webinar #3 (12/8/2021)
Title: Creating Safety Plans With LGBTQ+ Youth
Description: This 30-minute session will provide attendees information on safety planning with LGBTQ+ youth. Safety planning is a protective measure that can be done with youth in a variety of situations from disclosing their identities to others to engaging in sex-segregated activities. This includes how to assess support, challenges, and tools that can help youth cope through difficult times. The 30 min presentation will be followed by a 15 minute Q&A
Learning Objectives:
- Learn when a safety plan is needed
- Learn how to assess a young person’s concerns for a variety of situations
- Learn to explore the young person’s network of support
- Learn to develop a strong safety plan
Presenter: Dr. Angela Weeks is the Project Director for the National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care. As part of this work, she has helped design, implement, and evaluate 15 different programs and initiatives for LGBTQ+ children, youth, and their families experiencing foster care. She also leads the Center of Excellence for LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity for the Institute for Innovation and Implementation at University of Maryland, School of Social Work.
Webinar #4 (1/26/2022)
Title: LGBTQ+ Affirming School Practices
Description: This 30-minute session will provide guidance on what types of school policies and strategies can be implemented to help promote and build an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ young people. The presentation will be followed by a 15 minute Q&A.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the current school climate and why affirming environments is important
- Learn how to asses the current school climate
- Learn methods of accountability
- Learn creative school campaigns
Presenter: Dr. Angela Weeks is the Project Director for the National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care. As part of this work, she has helped design, implement, and evaluate 15 different programs and initiatives for LGBTQ+ children, youth, and their families experiencing foster care. She also leads the Center of Excellence for LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity for the Institute for Innovation and Implementation at University of Maryland, School of Social Work.
Foundational Webinars on Working with LGBTQ+ People and their Families:
Sexual Orientation & Behavioral Health 101
Description: This webinar enables behavioral health service providers to be more equipped to support, treat and advocate for people with diverse sexual orientations.
Watch:
Gender Identity, Expression & Behavioral Health 101
Description: This webinar provides foundational knowledge about gender identity and gender expression, and how to best provide services for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals across the lifespan.
Watch:
Providing Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQ+ & Youth: Integrating FAP & TF-CBT
Description: This webinar will discuss the integration of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and the Family Acceptance Project (FAP), the first research and family support model to reduce risk and promote well-being for LGBTQ+ children and youth.
Watch: