THIS LISTING IS FOR SEXUAL AND GENDER DIVERSITY LEARNING COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS ONLY. If you are interested in signing up, please enroll in Organizational/Administrative Track first, then enroll in the Technical Assistance Sessions Course.

**The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center is committed to addressing gaps in understanding LGBTQ+ mental health care and improving outcomes for LGBTQ+ persons. Choosing the SGDLC Certificate program means choosing a learning experience that is both research and practice based, enhancing one's knowledge and skills around mental health practice and LGBTQ+ competency! The SGDLC was developed to introduce healthcare providers to basic concepts related to LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness, preparing them to serve LGBTQ+ clients competently. The SGDLC is intended to be delivered to behavioral healthcare providers, including (but not limited to) mental health professionals and drug and alcohol counselors, and medical professionals such as physicians, medical assistants, and nurses.**

SGLDC Technical Assistance Sessions were created for the members of the administrative teams mental and behavioral health organiations, such as directors, clinical supervisors, human resource managers, and upper management. Participants should have a broad understanding of the organization and have some authority to implement the recommended changes to policies and procedures. To facilitate the change process, the facilitator reviews the policies and procedures of the organization utilizing a structured tool, the Organizational Assessment Tool for LGBTQ+ Affirming Practices. The facilitator identifies strengths and areas of improvement related to LGBTQ+ affirmative practices. Lastly, the facilitator collaborates with the Administration team to develop and implement changes to the areas of improvement identified during the review.

Each session is held over four consecutive months, with 1 session per month.  If possible, it is encouraged that more than one person from an organization attend together to assist with accountability and integration of knowledge and skills.  All sessions need to be attended and completed in order to recieved your certificate.

Technical Assistance Objective:

To integrate LGBTQ+ affirming policies and procedures into mental health organizations.

Schedule for Technical Assistance Sessions (1 Group, ten people; 4 two-hour meetings)

Session 1: June 2 (1-3pm EST) - Welcoming Sexual and Gender Diversity into Your System of Care

Session 2: June 16 (1-3pm EST) - Utilizing the "Organizational Assessment Tool for LGBTQ+ Affirming Practices" tool

Session 3: June 30 (1-3pm EST) - Creating Plans to Address for Areas of Improvement

Session 4: July 14 (1-3pm EST) - Utilizing Program Solving Skills to Review Progress, Implement Changes and Address Obstacles