Training
LGBTQIA+ Student Rights and Advocacy in Michigan Schools
LGBTQIA+ students have the right to a safe and healthy learning experience in the state of Michigan. Students and educators, however, are often unaware of these rights. In this training, participants will identify and state the implications of key legal and policy issues affecting LGBTQIA+ students and safe school environments in Michigan.
In this training, participants will:
- Review relevant and current data related to LGBTQIA+ students.
- Examine federal and state law and policy.
- Discuss district-level decisions and the Michigan Department of Education's Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for LGBTQ Students.
- Examine law around GSA clubs.
- Identify current needs and action planning.
In person Online
Age Group(s) - Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) - LGBQ+ identities, Transgender and gender expansive identities, Values
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
LGBQ+ Identities Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), LGBQ-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive, enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all sexual orientations.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to intervene effectively in homophobic and other bullying comments and actions. (S)
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that LGBQ+ youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
Transgender and Gender Expansive Identities Indicator - Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), gender-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all gender identities.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that transgender and gender expansive youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of transgender and gender expansive people in lessons.
Values Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
Training
Coping Skills in the Classroom
Coping skills are strategies we use to manage unpleasant emotions, decrease stress, and establish order in our lives. They can be used in the classroom both by students and teachers. Participants will not only learn practical skills to use in their daily lives but also how to teach these skills to their students.
In person Online
Cost - Please contact alexandra@gcapp.org for details
Age Group(s) - Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) - Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Effective teaching strategies
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Training
Michigan Sex Education Policy and Law: Best Practices for Sex Education in Michigan
This training will walk participants through current Michigan law and policy as it relates to sex education in K-12 schools. We will review content requirements and spend time on Sex Education Advisory Boards (SEABs), the groups that set goals and objectives and review and recommend curriculum for their local school districts. We will share the most up-to-date, evidence-based information on sex education - content specifics, facilitation strategies, scope and sequence, outcome indications, and more. Finally, we will discuss best practices for SEAB establishment and functioning.
In this training, participants will:
- Review relevant and current data on sex education.
- Review state laws and requirements for sex education.
- Review state laws on Sex Education Advisory Boards (SEABs).
- Review SEAB logisitics, including meetings, membership, and curriculum review.
- Understand the scope of the SEAB's power and influence in a school district.
- Identify resources and next steps for SEABs.
- Discuss evidence-informed best practices for sex education programming.
- Review sex education resources and ways participants can get involved in improving sex education in their community.
In person Online
Age Group(s) - Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) - Contraception, pregnancy, and reproduction, Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Effective teaching strategies, Healthy relationships, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections, LGBQ+ identities, Racial and reproductive justice, Transgender and gender expansive identities, Sex education in schools, Values
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Contraception, Pregnancy, and Reproduction Indicators - Indicator 6 (6-12): Identify three federal and/or state laws that impact young peoples’ access to effective reproductive and sexual health care (e.g. age of consent for services, confidential access to health care services, and access to condoms)
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies of a trauma-informed approach to sex education (e.g. giving trigger warnings before content on sexual assault and allowing students the right to pass as appropriate, etc.). (S)
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators - Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with students.
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Describe three strategies for actively involving parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults in a sex education program.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to analyze and tailor lesson plans to match the age, developmental stages, cultural backgrounds, and other identities of students. (S)
Healthy Relationships Indicators - Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three strategies for incorporating the positive and negative impacts of communicating through technology into lessons on healthy relationships.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three ways to help students set and respect personal boundaries in relationships.
HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections Indicators - Indicator 7 (6-12): Identify three medically accurate and youth-friendly resources for STD/STI and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment
LGBQ+ Identities Indicators - Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that LGBQ+ youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to sexual orientation.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
- Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons. (S)
Racial and Reproductive Justice Indicators - Indicator 2 (K-12): Name three sexual health inequities and some of their systemic causes (e.g., African American women living with HIV have expressed mistrust toward healthcare professionals, in part, as a result of systemic racism).
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three ways power, privilege, prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes related to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socio-economic status, immigration status, and/or physical or intellectual ability can impact sexual health and reproductive justice.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three strategies educators can use to acknowledge and proactively work to mitigate the impact of bias on their students’ sexual health and multiple, intersecting identities.
Sex Education In Schools Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three health (e.g. physical, social and/or emotional) and/or academic benefits of sex education for young people
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe state and/or district laws, policies, and standards that relate to sex education where one teaches.
Transgender and Gender Expansive Identities Indicator - Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to make lessons affirming for transgender and gender expansive people. (S)
Values Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
Training
Trauma-Responsive Practices in Sex Ed
Trauma-Responsive Practices in Sex Education will provide participants with information about the prevalence and impact of trauma on the brain and behavior, including the limitations of how trauma is assessed. Utilizing a trauma-responsive approach means that a program, organization, or system “realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization” (SAMHSA). This training will lead sex educators through content knowledge and applicable best-practices for taking a trauma-responsive approach within their classrooms and organizations, including the role trusted adults play in creating an environment conducive to resilience and healing. This training is intended for anyone implementing sexual health education with young people and the supervisors that support them.
Online
Cost - $75/registrant or $1,500 per organization
Age Group(s) - Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) - Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies for creating culturally responsive classrooms. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three elements of a trauma-informed approach to sex education.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies of a trauma-informed approach to sex education (e.g. giving trigger warnings before content on sexual assault and allowing students the right to pass as appropriate, etc.). (S)
Training
Inclusive Sex Education for LGBTQIA+ Youth
Many LGBTQIA+ youth thrive in school, relationships, and their communities, but it is important to recognize that LGBTQIA+ youth are also at high risk for experiencing violence and bullying and have disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, depression, and substance abuse. Comprehensive and inclusive sex education can help improve these outcomes for all youth. This training will provide an overview of the unique challenges and needs of LGBTQIA+ youth and allow participants to discuss and practice strategies to promote more inclusive classrooms and curriculum.
In this training, participants will:
- Gain an understanding of the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth, including those related to sex education.
- Define LGBTQIA+ terminology.
- Review relevant and current data on LGBTQIA+ youth.
- Look at the relationship between sex education and LGBTQIA+ youth.
- Discuss underlying causes of the increased risk for unintended teen pregnancy among LGBTQIA+ youth, including greater societal constructs and systems of oppression.
- Discuss the creation and content of the LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity Toolkit.
- Apply inclusivity principles in reviewing and adjusting curriculum.
In person Online
Age Group(s) - Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) - Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, LGBQ+ identities, Transgender and gender expansive identities, Sex education in schools, Values
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies for creating culturally responsive classrooms. (S)
LGBQ+ Identities Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), LGBQ-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive, enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all sexual orientations.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Define sexual orientation and sexual identity, including that everyone has both.
- Indicator 3 (6-12): Explain the difference between sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual identity.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that LGBQ+ youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to sexual orientation.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
- Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons. (S)
Sex Education In Schools Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three health (e.g. physical, social and/or emotional) and/or academic benefits of sex education for young people
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe state and/or district laws, policies, and standards that relate to sex education where one teaches.
Transgender and Gender Expansive Identities Indicator - Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), gender-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all gender identities.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Define gender identity and sex assigned at birth.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Explain how gender identity and gender expression are distinct from each other and from sexual orientation.
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that transgender and gender expansive youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to transgender and gender expansive people.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of transgender and gender expansive people in lessons.
- Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to make lessons affirming for transgender and gender expansive people. (S)
Values Indicators - Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe how verbal and nonverbal expression of personal values, and comfort with topics related to sex education, could impact one’s teaching
