18 September 2024
Like many Cornerstones of Care employees, Case Management Specialist Adam Branson is required to complete annual training to stay current on trauma-informed practices for working with youth and families. In his role, Adam serves as a liaison between the Ozanam Campus Residential Treatment program youth, their families, and legal representation. Training for front-line team members like Adam ranges from administering medications to working with youth on the autism spectrum.
In April, Adam signed up for the LGBTQ+ All-Inclusive course, a newly redesigned cohort-style training that educates participants on the LGBTQ+ experience and identifies steps in providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth. His oldest stepson is trans, and Adam has seen firsthand how challenging the coming out process can be.
“I saw this course as an opportunity to learn something new and better educate myself with what people may be going through,” he said.
When it comes to working with LGBTQ+ youth living on the Ozanam Campus, Adam resonates with the organization’s perspective of being open and accepting of others. He recalls a former resident who identified as trans and wished to use she/her pronouns and be referred to as a girl.
“It wasn’t an issue,” said Adam. “People are understanding and accepting here. We try to show that we’re a safe space. If someone is struggling, we want to make them comfortable and understand what they’re going through.”
The LGBTQ+ All-Inclusive course was relaunched in early 2024 by Training Specialist Jonathan Graham, who spearheaded the process of developing a new curriculum to address the implicit biases and myths that impact team members’ ability to be fully open and accepting of LGBTQ+ youth.
“When we step out of our comfort zones and expand our knowledge and competence, we can be more welcoming to LGBTQ+ youth and even team members,” said Jonathan, who also is the lead facilitator for the course.
The six-hour course dives deeper into topics like gender roles, gender pronouns, the coming out process, and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and in schools. The final session is centered on transgender individuals – ways team members can support them, the grief and loss process and who it impacts, and types of transitions.
The course is designed so each session builds on the previous one, and that cohorts build a sense of safety and shared understanding through open dialogue and hands-on activities.
Melissa Taylor, Director of Human Resources Operations, wasn’t required to take the LGBTQ+ All-Inclusive course but believes that everybody should participate.
“I believe it’s important for our support staff and administration,” said Melissa. “As HR, our clients are our team members, and we need to be advocates for them and ensure that we have a WIDE community.”
At Cornerstones of Care, this sense of personal responsibility and commitment to fostering a WIDE (welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable) community is embedded into the culture. High-quality trainings, such as the LGBTQ+ All-Inclusive course, equip team members with the language and tools needed to deliver state-of-the-art trauma-informed care, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to WIDE principles.
Many of our courses are available year-round to community members and meet continuing education requirements. We currently offer a shorter, three-hour online version of the LGBTQ+ All-Inclusive course for foster parents wanting to learn how to create open and accepting environments for their placements.
