In April 2011, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a list of recommendations stating how HHS could work to improve the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Secretary stated that “HHS’ HRSA will also convene professional groups that represent LGBT health providers and students to identify challenges and opportunities for training LGBT providers and to isolate strategies geared toward increasing culturally competent care for LGBT patients.” On November 1, 2011 – staff from NASW participated in a “Listening Session” with HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. and SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. to discuss 1) training challenges and opportunities for LGBT providers; 2) culturally competent care for LGBT patients/clients, and 3) how can HHS use its health professions grants to encourage inclusion of cultural competency materials?
To continue the opportunity to hear from the community – including social workers and allied health and behavioral health providers – The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has scheduled four additional listening sessions (below) on developing a set of 2012 recommendations related to health and human service issues affecting LGBT individuals and families.
Milwaukee, WI: Monday, November 28, 2011; 5:30pm – 7:00pm; RSVP: mcage@mkelgbt.org
Phoenix, AZ: Thursday, December 1, 2011; 11:00am – 1:00pm; RSVP: Region9ORD@hhs.gov
Philadelphia, PA: Friday, December 2, 2011; 10:00am – 12:00pm; RSVP: aryanna.abouzari@hhs.gov by November 30th
Atlanta, GA; Tuesday, December 20, 2011; 1:00pm RSVP: Ordatlanta@hhs.gov
