March 26 – 30, 2012 is LGBT Health Awareness Week. Every day, social workers are actively working to promote LGBT equity. Here are a few new resources:
The National Workgroup to Address the Needs of Children and Youth Who Are LGBTQI2-S and Their Families, which is convened by the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch (CAFB), Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) . The LGBTQI2-S Workgroup has numerous resources to help social workers support and enhance services for children and youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S). NASW staff is a member of the LGBTYQI2-S Workgroup.
Please see the recently released Top Health Issues for LGBT Populations Information and Resource Kit, also published by SAMHSA. The document is designed to better equip providers and educators on current health issues among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. The document also includes an overview of terms related to gender identity and sexual expression. More information can be found on the SAMHSA blog.
And earlier this week – U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius recognized LGBT Health Awareness Week by noting it “is an important time to highlight the progress our country is making to address the unique health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans, especially through implementation of the health care law, the Affordable Care Act”.
Click here for more information about NASW’s work on LGBT issues.
