1. Get R.E.A.L: Authentic Engagement of Systems Involved with LGBTQ Youth

2. Goal: To improve the healthy sexual and identity development for all children and youth in the child welfare system. The GetR.E.A.L (Recognize. Engage. Affirm. Love) initiative is designed to help transform child welfare policy and practice to promote the healthy development of all children and youth. Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (along with race, ethnicity and disability) are part of the identity formation that occurs in adolescence.

3. The GetR.E.A.L Initiative has… A Commitment to use guidelines to gather information to measure outcomes and improve practice A Commitment to create an environment that is safe, affirming, loving and supportive of all children and youth in the child welfare system A Commitment to ensuring that all youth are healthy with strong social connections and relationships

4. Introductions Jonathan Lykes- Program Analyst, Center for the Study of Social Policy Ian Stanley, Program Director, LGBTQ Connections Stephanie Perron, Director, LGBTQ Community Center

5. Experiential Activity “Impact of Silence”

6. Stages of LGBTQ Integration- 5 Corners 5 Corners Intolerance Indifference Tolerance Acceptance Affirmation

7. Stages of LGBTQ Integration- 5 Corners Debriefing Questions What makes you think (evidence) your agency is at this level of engagement? What contributes to why your organization is at this level? What level of AYE would you like your organization to be at?

8. “Must Haves” & “Obstacles” for Authentic Youth Engagement Must Haves: -Fierce Love Developing authentic relationships, taking the time to know and be known by our young people, connecting them to each other and the community. -Intersectional Lens Knowing youth as whole persons, not asking them to check pieces of themselves at the door, applying an anti-oppression framework. -Power with Responsibility Ensuring youth do not just have responsibility for outcomes but also have the decision-making power to execute them. Youth are “partnered with not powered over”. -Resources (wants + needs) Youth have access to, or are linked up to, resources to make their dreams come true -Time Bound, Emotionally Matters Employing project-based, emotionally relevant work to engage youth authentically. -Everything is done with glitter :) Honoring the importance of the work by making every step of the way special.

9. “Must Haves” & “Obstacles” for Authentic Youth Engagement Obstacles to Watch for: -Tokenizing/spokesperson It takes a culture shift, not checked boxes, to make youth engagement authentic. Avoid asking a youth for participation (or to represent their community) solely because of their identity. - Asking for Voice, Not Leading to Action Be genuinely interested in youth’s participation, ideas, opinions. Be up front about how the information will be used and who has decision making power. -Educator at the same time one is seeking support Take the time to educate yourself on the needs and experiences of LGBTQ youth before and while working with LGBTQ youth. Learn from their expertise but don’t expect them to be your sole source of knowledge on the issues and population. -Sharing their story vs. Work

10. Program Presentation Our Space Stephanie Perron Captain Young

11. Program Presentation LGBTQ Connection Ian Stanley Jimmy Toro Ruane

12. Questions and Answers