Workforce Initiatives & Trainings
Learning About Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression
For an introduction to sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression check out our Learning About SOGIE animation and download the accompanying glossary for a list of terms commonly used in LGBTQ+ communities.
Cuyahoga County’s System Transformation for Serving LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care
Cuyahoga County developed a robust three-phase approach to training and coaching that led to a shift in organizational practices serving LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Through these efforts, the county was able to identify the majority of their youth that identified as LGBTQ+ and offer them LGBTQ+ relevant resources. Following this, Cuyahoga County found themselves with waiting lists for all of their LGBTQ+ youth and parenting programs. This graphic was created to help other child welfare agencies replicate their efforts.
Free Online Learning Module!
HRC Foundation’s Youth Well-Being Program is excited to offer this FREE online learning module for social workers, counselors, educators and other youth-serving professionals in partnership with the National SOGIE Center. This self-paced course takes approximately one-hour to complete and participants can earn one free CEU through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Promoting Emotional Well-Being for LGBTQ Youth provides an opportunity for youth-serving professionals to learn how to best promote safety, health, and well-being for LGBTQ youth at home, at school, and in systems of care.
Gender Affirming Care
If your agency is interested in deepening your support with transgender and non-binary youth, please reach out to learn more about the Ruth Ellis Institute's Gender Affirming Care curriculum accompanying this film: training@ruthelliscenter.org.
All Children - All Families: National Certification & LGBTQ+ Training Program
The HRC Foundation's All Children - All Families program certifies child welfare organizations for their LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts and delivers expert LGBTQ+ training nationally.
Through its certification process, All Children - All Families promotes LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and affirming practices among child welfare agencies and celebrates those agencies that are leading the field with innovative approaches to inclusion in its annual report. Participants gain access to a comprehensive, online self-assessment tool, free webinars on the latest best practices and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
The All Children – All Families National Training Program offers expert training, capacity building and coaching on a diverse range of LGBTQ+ topics for child welfare professionals and caregivers. High-quality, engaging and evidence-based training is available virtually and in-person at a variety of durations to meet your organization’s needs, including: one hour, 90 minutes, three hour and full-day training and workshops as well as a multi-day Training of Facilitators program.

The New Normal: LGBTQ+ Youth Living Through COVID-19
The Philadelphia Coalition for Queer Justice and Intersectional Equity partnered with The Institute to host a two-day virtual symposium on the state of LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system and how their experiences have changed in light of COVID-19. This symposium gathered medical professionals, child welfare workers, prevention workers, mentors, and executives from a variety of disciplines. Together we elevated the voices of experts to a national audience in the pursuit of equity for our LGBTQ+ youth. Watch now
Behavioral Health Training
For behavioral health provider training on LGBTQ+ people across the lifespan, check out our free CEU and CME accredited offerings through the Center of Excellence for LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity.
Supporting LGBTQ Youth Starts at Home
Watch our animated short, Supporting LGBTQ Youth Starts at Home. This animation focuses on the impact of rejection children, youth, and young adults can experience in their homes and communities and provides examples and strategies to promote support, acceptance and affirmation of youth with diverse SOGIE.