Archives for January 2015

In light of the tragic death of Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen from the Kings school district, who completed suicide, here are some tips in working with persons who identify as transgender for professionals in clinical settings from SAMHSA:

Do:

• Use the proper pronouns based on their self-identity when talking to/about transgender individuals.
• Get clinical supervision if you have issues or feelings about working with transgender individuals.
• Allow transgender clients to continue the use of hormones when they are prescribed. Advocate that the transgender client using “street” hormones get immediate medical care and legally prescribed hormones.
• Require training on transgender issues for all staff.
• Find out the sexual orientation of all clients.
• Allow transgender clients to use bathrooms and showers based on their gender self-identity and gender role.
• Require all clients and staff to create and maintain a safe environment for all transgender clients. Post a nondiscrimination policy in the waiting room that explicitly includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

Don’t:

• Call someone who identifies himself as a female he or him or call someone who identifies herself as male she or her.
• Project your transphobia onto the transgender client or share transphobic comments with other staff or clients.
• Make the transgender client choose between hormones and treatment and recovery.
• Make the transgender client educate the staff.
• Assume transgender women or men are gay.
• Make transgender individuals living as females use male facilities or transgender individuals living as males use female facilities.
• Allow staff or clients to make transphobic comments or put transgender clients at risk for physical or sexual abuse or harassment

A new series of  learning opportunities for families is available.

In the past, we have provided three series of Family Leadership Trainings which were held on Saturdays.  Over time, we have realized it is hard for families to get away for a whole day consistently, even with childcare being provided. This series will offer an opportunity for families to participate in the training through webinars, as well as, on site with the presenters.

The training curriculum will be based on developing the skills needed to self-advocate or to support other families, serve on boards, or other venues to represent parent  interests. Many parents within the wraparound process have expressed the desire to support other parents based on experiences with  their own Peer Support Partner (PSP).  This training will provide information to make a transition into the role of a Peer Support Partner or other advocacy position easier.  Training is based on skills PSPs have found necessary to support families in areas such as communication and listening skills, importance of notetaking, awareness of body language of team members, identifying their goals and problem solving skills.

The series will offer an opportunity to increase a variety of skills, such as identifying supports and resources, recognizing and acting on crisis situations and understanding and participating in writing a safety plan, also helping children to self-advocate. Many family situations require out –of- the box thinking, and we will look at some of the issues that have led to major changes (legistative or new programs) for families because they realized  the need was not their’s alone. Belief and culture; what is the difference?  Recognizing your own culture and beliefs is a first step to valuing others and working with families based on their culture and beliefs. One of the most significient learning experiences we will cover is the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.  Why some rules pertaining to those areas are vital to the success of providing peer support services.

A retreat will kick off the series as in the past because it provides participants an opportunity to come together to develop the trust  needed to work as a group.  The retreat session will be  a four hour day set on a Saturday.

If your interest is to further develop your self advocacy skills and/or would like to be a  future support to other families in a role of peer support, please  join other parents  to acquire this information developed through the experience of those who are presently in that position.

Please contact us if you have an interest.  An application will be mailed to you. This is a no cost program and child care will be provided.  2 hour sessions will be held twice a month. Certificates will be provided for each session.

Jean Houston, Lead Family Contact

Families Connected of Clermont County-

2040 Hwy 50 (Wildey Center), Batavia, Ohio 45103

513-732-5034/ Fax: 732-0796