Social Work Services That Make a Difference: Meaningful Supports for Transgender Youth and Their Families

Please note: This course will be moved online. More details will be provided by the instructor.

This course will offer a working definition of terms, including Transgender, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Intersex, Gender Nonconforming, Non Binary, Intersex, Gender Transition, and Ally. Language and terminology will be examined with emphasis on using affirming language and avoiding offensive terminology.

This course will examine multiple risk factors that impact transgender youth from a solution-focused lens. These risk factors include a 40- 50 percent rate of attempted suicide, increased incidence of homelessness, school bullying and harassment, increased vulnerability to hate crimes (including assault, sexual assault and murder). Family relationship dynamics, along with strategies to increase family support, will be explored with an emphasis on increasing parental capacity to support the transgender youth. Family acceptance is a protective factor that is associated with a decrease in transgender youth homeless and a decline in the frequency and severity of mental health issues and an increase in overall wellness. Strategies to support and build upon family and school connectedness will be examined in this mini course.

This mini course will also examine be the specific concerns that apply to transgender children younger than age 13. Understanding gender identity at younger ages will be explored, along with specific facts about working within elementary and preschool setting, and offering long term guidance and planning recommendations to parents and children that are developmentally appropriate.

The gender transition process will be reviewed.