Visit GACRS “The Adoptive Family Journey” Facebook Group

We invite you to join our forever family Facebook group,  “The Adoptive Family Journey.” This group is sponsored by the Georgia Center for   Resources and Support (GACRS). It is a site for all adoptive families living in Georgia to connect, share, and learn from  other their journey as an adoptive family.

GACRS’ purpose for supporting The Adoptive Family Journey is to have adoptive families share and learn from one another. Adoption is rewarding but has its challenges as well. Feel free to share your heart, your struggles, and your successes.

 

 

Silence the Shame- Courtside Chat: March 9, 2022

Thank you for your interest in sharing Silence the Shame’s Teen Mental Wellness Courtside Chat with Chlöe Bailey and Trae Young. In an effort to increase visibility and registration for the chat, STS and the ATL Hawks have decided to postpone the official launch date to Wednesday, March 9, 2022. 

Again, this Courtside Chat is moderated by Founder Shanti Das, featuring recording artist and actress, Chlöe Bailey, and ATL Hawks All-Star Player, Trae Young. They share messages for teens about mental wellness, healthy coping strategies, and how to practice ways to maintain well-being. We ask that you continue to share this information with your networks and the youth that you serve and support. 

 

We will also be providing additional wellness materials and a discussion guide to further support these efforts. Additional information will be forthcoming regarding time and follow-up. 

Register Here

All Children all Families- Flash Forward News Letter

During Black History Month, we honor the contributions that Black people have made throughout U.S. history while we recommit ourselves to doing the necessary work to protect Black futures, including those of Black LGBTQ+ people. As child welfare professionals, we know Black youth and Black LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in systems of care. Let’s work together to dismantle the systems of oppression that are causing this significant racial disproportion in foster care. Below are resources for child welfare professionals and families looking to expand their knowledge around racial equity, implicit bias, and more!

Resources for Child Welfare Professionals – Supporting Black Youth & Families in the Child Welfare System 

NACAC (North American Council on Adoptable Children) has a variety of resources for child welfare professionals interested in learning more about supporting Black youth and families in foster care. For example, we know that it is important for our parents and caregivers to reflect the youth that we serve. You can check out this resource for information on recruiting Black families and other families of color. Also of great importance, is retaining the Black families that we recruit. Learn how to refine your messaging, identify partnerships, and much more. Another resource from NACAC that could be helpful for child welfare professionals is this account from a foster family sharing their transracial adoption experiences.

Resources for Families on Discussing Race & Social Injustice 

Sometimes we want to discuss the impact of racism and social injustice, but we may not know how to go about it, or have all of the salient information. NACAC has a compilation of resources that can help with this! Topics include explaining police killings of Black people, talking about race and racism, and being antiracist. The Human Rights Campaign is committed to fighting racism and racial oppression, challenging hateful policies and rhetoric, and representing and advocating for the full diversity of the LGBTQ+ community through a range of strategies, tactics and programs.

Black History Resources

Looking for inspiring role models for yourself or your clients? Kansas City in association with Missouri’s Bicentennial, highlighted the contributions of over 70 Black Kansas Citians in a collection of biographies. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver wrote, “Black history is American history. It is baked into the foundation of our country so thoroughly that it is impossible to escape its influence today.” NBC News also has a list of queer Black historical figures such as activist Marsha P. Johnson and musician Gladys Bently.

New Report Highlights Racial, Gender Disparities Persist Within LGBTQ+ Community

Racial Differences Among LGBT Adults in the US, a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, found that LGBTQ+ people of color fared far worse than white LGBTQ+ adults based on several assessments of health and socioeconomic well-being. The study found that almost half of LGBT people of color live in low-income households. These findings are consistent with what we know about the impact of systemic oppression on marginalized communities. 

 HRC Foundation and UConn Launch 2022 Youth Survey to Examine the Experiences of LGBTQ+ Youth

HRC Foundation and researchers at the University of Connecticut are conducting a study to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth. The survey will ask LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 18 about their experiences as an LGBTQ+ person at home, in school and across various aspects of their daily lives.  All responses will be confidential and the young people in your networks can go here to see if they qualify. Youth who complete the survey have the option to be compensated for their participation.

TikTok Takes Stand Against Misgendering on App 

A popular social media platform among youth, TikTok, has updated its community guidelines to ban deadnaming, misgendering, and misogyny. More information can be found from NPR and The Hill. For LGBTQ+ youth, the internet can be an incredible tool for exploration and finding support. At the same time, recent reports have made it clear that social media platforms must do more to protect young people from exposure to harmful content. HRC has a variety of resources that can help you learn more about the transgender and non binary community such as our Transgender and Non-Binary FAQ and more. 

LGBTQ+ Identification in Adults Doubles According to Gallup Survey 

A recent Gallup poll found that 7.1% of U.S. adults identify as LGBT and/or some other LGBTQ+ identity, closely mirroring the findings in HRC’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s recent Household Pulse Survey. Findings indicated that roughly 8% of respondents identified themselves as LGBTQ+. Another interesting highlight from the Gallup study is one in five Gen Z adults reported identifying as LGBT.

ACAF Project Updates: For programmatic updates, email acaf@hrc.org.Resource Spotlight: Over a majority of LGBTQ+ adults of color in the United States are facing significant mental health challenges today, looking to learn more? Check out HRC’s webpage, QTBIPOC Mental Health and Well-Being for more information and resources.Upcoming Webinars: 3/16 – Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Parents3/22 – SOGIE Considerations in Child Protection ServicesMarch Observances:Bisexual Health Awareness Month, National Women’s History Month  3/1 – Zero Discrimination Day  3/10 – National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day  3/20 – National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day  3/21 – National Single Parent Day  3/31 – International Transgender Day of Visibility  

Strengthening Your Family Webinar Series

Feb. 18 – Mar. 18, 2022

Presented by Dr. Lynn White Dixon, LCSW

Register Now to examine how the Seven Core Issues in Adoption uniquely manifest in children of color and the families that adopt them transracially. The presentation will include the role that racism, white supremacy and the socially unjust environment present in the United States, plays when parenting children of color. Tools to assist parents in navigating the challenges involved in adopting transracially will be shared.

7:00 – 8:30PM EST

EXTENDED ACCESS AVAILABLE:

Mar. 11 – Apr. 11, 2022

Register Now! Use coupon code SHAME at checkout to receive your FREE registration.

Presented by Laura Ornelas, LCSW Clinical Social Worker

Children who have experienced loss, separations, and/or trauma often struggle with understanding their past. This tends to leave them feeling like they were responsible, that there is something wrong with them, and/or that the outcome would be different were it not for them. Because they do not have the mental capacity of adults, it can be very hard to explain to them otherwise. Instead, they can be left with big feelings of guilt and shame and inaccurate thoughts that result in low self-worth and poor self-esteem, which can play out over a lifetime in their behavior. Come hear more at this workshop about how parents can address these concerns at their root through simple daily interactions with their child.

Project Amplify

Calling Atlanta-based exceptional people! 

VI Photography and David Carr Photography are partnering for a very special project. We plan to publish a photo book this year featuring exceptional people living with different abilities, participating in our world in an extraordinary way with intellectual, physical, or not so visible challenges.Some disabilities are visual, yet many are not. Either way, misconceptions surrounding disabilities need to be eliminated… And that all comes from knowledge. My friend Kim said, “People are curious and want to know, but often just stare. We encourage you to ask questions and greet our children. These questions instead of stares will change the future. Questions lead to answers and answers lead to knowledge.” Our goal with this book is to elevate knowledge. We’re showcasing stories and want to share with the world what is encouraged to say and what is NOT okay to say to these children and their families. We want to share Pictures, Voices, and Stories to give knowledge and promote acceptance.Please consider participating in one of two ways:

  1. Photo & story feature: We are offering a complimentary 15-minute portrait session for exceptional children. The photos will be featured in a printed book. 
  2. Share Your Story: We would love you to share your story. Note, you can share your name or remain anonymous. 

If you’re interested please click the link below. By filling out the form, you will be added to our list of interested participants. We will follow up to let you know if you have secured a spot. Photoshoot dates are planned for 2/20, 3/12, and 3/26.Thank you for considering being part of this most special project! 

 
 

All Children-All Families: Field Forward News Letter

Welcome to 2022! Here at HRC we wish everyone a safe and happy new year as we continue fighting for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. In this month’s edition of Field Forward, ACAF is excited to share the launch of our 5th annual webinar series! The series covers our usual core curriculum topics and a host of new special topics with expert panels and guest speakers. Download the list of all webinars and descriptions and register today! More details are included below. We also highlight National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7th and include resources on supporting Black and Brown LGBTQ+ youth.

Webinar Tomorrow, 1/26: “Putting Intersectionality in Practice”

Tomorrow’s webinar will introduce participants to intersectionality and how it informs our efforts to achieve safety, permanency and well-being for all young people. Participants will learn what it looks like in practice for child welfare professionals through videos and case scenarios. Register here! 

New Webinar Offerings for Foster/Adoptive Caregivers

The ACAF team is introducing a new webinar for foster/adoptive caregivers to continue their journey towards being affirming to LGBTQ+ youth. On May 11th we’ll be hosting “Caring for LGBTQ+ Youth 201: A Deeper Dive for Foster & Adoptive Caregivers,” we hope you’ll share this with the caregivers in your network. A recorded version of the first level of this training, “Caring for LGBTQ Youth” is currently available in our webinar archive for on-demand viewing. In July, we will also introduce “Post-Placement Support for Professionals & Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth”. This interactive webinar will focus on the questions, concerns, and challenges a caregiver might encounter as an LGBTQ+ young person in their care grows up.

Special Topics

From now until August, we will host additional special topics webinars. Check out Field Forward every month for all the latest information on upcoming webinars. Here’s an overview of what you can expect: using a racial equity lens to update child welfare practices, navigating transgender-affirming care using Medicaid/CHIP, SOGIE considerations in child protective services, LGBTQ+ affirming text within doctrines of faith, and an overview of the communities represented by the “+” in LGBTQ+.

Time to Thrive – Last Call to Register

Last chance to register for our 9th annual Time to Thrive national conference! The Human Rights Campaign Foundation in partnership with the National Education Association and the American Counseling Association presents Time To THRIVE, the national conference to promote safety, inclusion, and well-being for LGBTQ youth…everywhere! Our 9th annual conference will be presented virtually on February 9 – 10, 2022. Use ACAFDiscount22 at checkout to get a special rate. We hope to see you there!

LGBTQ+ Youth are Overrepresented in Foster Care. Here’s One Transgender Teen’s Story in Virginia

A 14-year-old transgender girl shared her experiences in the Virginia foster care system and details discrimination she has faced as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Research has shown that LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system – many having faced family rejection around their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression as this story highlights. ACAF helps child welfare organizations around the country to address these issues through LGBTQ+ inclusion training, technical assistance and innovative tools including an agency self-assessment process.

Trans People Face New Paperwork Hurdle In COVID-19 Vaccination Cards 

For transgender individuals who already contend with costly documentation changes and barriers regarding health insurance, COVID–19 vaccination records and varying pharmacy rules present a new paperwork hurdle. Requiring patients to report sex assigned at birth for the COVID-19 vaccine forces those with a gender identity and expression that differs from their sex assigned at birth to out themselves in order to have vaccination records. More from them.

Support Trans and Non-Binary Youth By Hosting a Jazz & Friends National Day of Community Readings Event

Jazz and Friends National Day of Community Readings in Support of Transgender and Non-Binary Youth is an annual national reading of affirming, inclusive and educational books that cover the trans youth experience. In partnership with the National Education Association and the American Association of School Librarians, this year’s day of readings will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24, and we want you to be a part of it by hosting an event in your community!

Resource Highlight for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 

On February 7th, HRC recognizes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a critical role in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Data shows that 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses are among young people between the ages of 13 and 24 years old, with Black and Latinx youth accounting for most. HRC has a variety of resources such as the HBCU Health Directory. Also, Making HIV History + A Pragmatic Guide to Confronting HIV at Historically Black Colleges and Universities is a comprehensive guide for HBCU administrators, staff and students outlining many of the critical steps higher educational institutions can take to help achieve an HIV-free generation.

ACAF Program Updates 

For programmatic updates, please reach out to our team at acaf@hrc.org

Resource Spotlight 

HRC released The Wage Gap Among LGBTQ+ Workers in the United States, an analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Upcoming Webinars

1/26 – Putting Intersectionality Into Practice

2/8 – Introduction to LGBTQ+ Inclusion

2/17 – Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Youth 

 

February Observances

Black History Month  2/7 – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day