ODL 303: LGBTQ+ Health Education and Advocacy Summit: Advancing Expertise in LGBTQ+ Health and Ethical Considerations

Created on: 10/18/24

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

As helping professionals we work with many different patients and clients. LGBTQ+ clients often face unique challenges, and as helping professionals we have an ethical responsibility to understand these challenges and to respond to their unique needs. The LGBTQ+ Health and Advocacy Summit: Advancing Expertise in LGBTQ+ Health is focused on deepening your knowledge and honing advanced skills in LGBTQ+ advocacy. This day will feature expert-led panel discussions and sessions on critical topics such as the intersection of the LGBTQ+ community and HIV/AIDS, issues faced by LGBTQ+ elderly, and topics specific to the transgender community. We will also delve into advanced advocacy strategies, including legislative efforts and the ethical responsibilities of helping professionals. This is an invaluable opportunity for those looking to expand their expertise and make a more profound impact in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

•  Analyze the intersection of the LGBTQ+ community and HIV/AIDS to better support affected individuals.
• Examine issues faced by LGBTQ+ elderly and explore tailored approaches for their care.
• Investigate advanced topics related to transgender health and rights to enhance specialized support.
• Discover ways to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights through understanding and engaging in legislative processes.
• Apply ethical principles in professional practice to ensure inclusive and respectful support for LGBTQ+ clients.

Presenters:

Chase Glenn (he/him), AFFA

Chase Glenn is the Executive Director of the Alliance For Full Acceptance (AFFA), and a highly regarded public speaker, workshop facilitator, and LGBTQ+ community advocate, boasting over 15 years of experience in advocating for LGBTQ-identified children, youth, and adults. Drawing from both professional training and personal experience as a transgender man, Chase delivers impactful education on the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as best practices for fostering inclusive and affirming spaces. Originally from Illinois, Chase has resided in South Carolina since 2006. He holds a B.A. in Religion from Belmont University and an M.A. in Counseling from Webster University. He is a Furman University Diversity Leaders Initiative Riley Fellow, class of 2018, and an Aspen Institute Liberty Fellow, Class of 2023.

Gabriella Mulder (she/her)

Gabriella Mulder (she/her) is a Training Specialist with Howard Brown Health’s Department of Education in the Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy. Gabi holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago in Gender and Sexuality Studies and Sociology, and a master’s degree from DePaul University in Women’s and Gender Studies. In her current role, Gabi provides and develops culturally humble, evidence based, interactive trainings on LGBTQ+ health and manages internship placements. She is passionate about gender and sexuality studies, LGBTQ+ health, and fat studies.

Michael (Mike) Elizabeth (they/them), Equality Federation

Mike is the Director of Public Health Policy at Equality Federation. In this role, they work with member organizations to leverage their advocacy capacity to influence state and federal policy while ensuring effective implementation of those policies. They have spent the last 10 years rooted in LGBTQ political and community organizing ranging from LGBTQ policy work with state and local elected officials in Texas to HIV/AIDS advocacy fighting HIV Criminalization laws and for adequate public health funding and culturally competent prevention services. Mike is very proud of their role as former President of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, growing the organization to be one of the most diverse and largest membership-driven LGBTQ civil rights organizations in the South, which held local elected officials accountable to the LGBTQ community while helping elect pro-LGBTQ candidates.

Dr. Annie Andrews (she/her), Their Future. Our Vote.

Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatrician and mom, who has dedicated her career to fighting for a brighter future for all children. After working as a pediatrician at children’s hospitals for 15 years, she decided to run for Congress to give children a voice in Washington, D.C.. She was the Democratic nominee in South Carolina’s first congressional district in 2022. She is the CEO and Founder of Their Future. Our Vote., a national non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a Kids First Agenda, and Their Future PAC, the first ever Political Action Committee working to elect a Kids First Majority to the US House of Representatives. Annie is currently a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she cares for children and adolescents at Children’s National Hospital. She is a contributor for The Arena, South Carolina’s only progressive media company. She is a gun violence prevention researcher and community advocate working to reduce the frequency of pediatric firearm injuries. She is also a Senior Advisor to Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action.

Panelists: 

Aiko Herbert

Aiko Herbert is a native of South Carolina, is a talented disc jockey and passionate advocate for the trans community. He studied audio and video production at the Art Institute of Atlanta, where he honed his skills in sound and performance. With over 11 years of experience as a DJ, Aiko founded Dj Aiko Finesse LLC, entertaining and catering events across the East Coast. In 2023, Aiko established the organization He Is Me I Am Him, dedicated to building a resource and visibility platform for men of the trans community. Through his work, Aiko combines his love for music with a commitment to advocacy, making a positive impact on the lives of others.

M. Greg Green (he/him), Author, Advocate for Transgender Rights, Transitional Consultant, Diversity, Equality, Justice, Inclusion Conversation Facilitator

M. Greg Green is an author, diversity & inclusion facilitator, Community Health Worker, and community advocate that uses his years of experience as a police officer and firefighter to facilitate and humanize access to public resources while shifting the corporate culture for his communities. As an advocate, corporate trainer, and entrepreneur, he currently serves as the Executive Director of Transgender Awareness Alliance,  CEO of Miskonception LLC, is on the Board of Directors for The Citadel’s African American Alumni Association and is a 2024 Clyburn Fellow.

Greg is a skilled and engaging speaker on transformative public service, trans visibility and awareness in the corporate world, and intersectionality within the LGBTQ+ community. He has spoken in Washington DC with the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Dorn VA Hospital, Federal Correctional Institution in Edgefield, SC, Federation of Families Summer Summit, The International Conference on Stigma, and many other engagements and keynotes.

Tee Joseph (they/them):

Tee Joseph is a dedicated advocate for marginalized communities, renowned for their unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Born in the UK and moving to New York at 16, Tee has resided in South Carolina since 2005, where they have focused their career on championing the rights and dignity of underserved populations.

As the Executive Director of the Transgender Awareness Alliance, Tee leads efforts to provide essential aid, resources, and advocacy for the transgender community. They also serve as the CFO and facilitator for Miskonception, creating tailored training programs that promote workplace equity and respect.

Tee is a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) and a Center for Community Health Alignment Ambassador, roles in which they advocate for improved healthcare access and education, particularly for vulnerable groups. Their influence is furthered by their participation as a Families USA Fellow for 2023-2024, contributing to national healthcare policy discussions.

Tee’s work is driven by a core belief in the right of every individual to live freely and express themselves without harm. They are compassionate and dedicated to creating inclusive spaces inspiring with kindness, love, and guidance, to ensure people’s gifts shine. 

Panelists:

Jamie Harper (he/him), Parent

Jamie was born and raised in southern California and moved to the Salt Lake City area of Utah in 2007 for work.  A husband of 31 years, Jamie is married to his high-school sweetheart, Karmel, and is a father of three.  Jamie and Karmel’s youngest son, Forrest (nearly 20 years old), is transgender and they have both supported their son’s transition and journey from when Forrest first came out as gay in February 2019 at the age of 15.  The ongoing support has involved navigating relationships and conversations with family and friends through a very conservative and religious background and community.

Karmel Harper, (she/her), Parent

Karmel grew up in Southern California and married her high school sweetheart, Jamie Harper, in 1993. In 2007, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, with their three children. Karmel is the proud mother of Forrest, a 19-year-old transgender man, and has embraced the journey of parenting an LGBTQ+ child since he came out as gay in 2019. That pivotal evening inspired Karmel to seek out local resources, connecting with close friends in the community. She joined Mama Dragons, a Utah-based non-profit that supports and empowers mothers of LGBTQ+ children. Karmel also became actively involved with Encircle, another organization that provides safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to access mental health services, participate in social events, and receive peer support. Encircle also provides education and support for parents. These local resources have been instrumental in providing the family with assistance and education for Forrest’s transition – both medically and legally. 

Roxanne Robinson (she/her), Parent

Roxanne is originally from San Francisco, California. She has been married 25 years to her husband (Graeme) who is originally from England. They met through work in Los Angeles, and welcomed fraternal twin girls  in 2000. They then moved to Georgia in 2001 and welcomed their third child (daughter) in 2002. Roxanne stopped working upon having the twins in 2000 since she and Graeme both traveled for work and did not have any family living close by.  She feels fortunate that we were in a position to make that choice for their family.  One of the twins came out as transgender male in 2015 (freshman year of high school).

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 Ethics CEs Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Ethics Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors –  5 Ethics or 5 Contact Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.