Supporting LGBTQ Students and their Families: Best Practices for Creating an Inclusive School Environment presented by Dr. Shelley Fisher, LCSW, on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

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FREE: 2 CEUs for LSW/LCSW, LPC/LCPC, and Psychologists | 2 CPDUs for School Professionals

Summary:

LGBTQ children and adolescents are at high risk for negative social, emotional, and academic outcomes. This webinar, designed for school professionals including social workers, counselors, psychologists, teachers, GSA leaders, and administrators, will explore how to support our LGBTQ students, specifically our transgender and nonbinary students, within the academic setting. Current research and terminology will be presented as will a review of changes and updates to federal and state laws supporting LGBTQ students. Attendees will learn how to accommodate transgender students, create a more inclusive school environment, and discuss best practices for working with LGBTQ students. Lastly, this webinar will emphasize how to work together with families of trans students to foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment for all students.

Objectives:

• Examine current research, terminology, policies, and laws that support LGB, transgender and nonbinary youth in the school setting.
• Understand how to accommodate transgender students while creating a safe and inclusive school environment.
• Recognize when personal beliefs compromise professional responsibilities.
• Develop skills for working with families of trans and nonbinary students with the intent to forge positive and supportive partnerships between the home, school, and community.

Presenter:

Michelle (Shelley) Fisher earned her Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College. She received her Doctorate in Social Work from George Williams College where she concentrated on adolescent development. Her dissertation research specifically focused on understanding the experiences of families of transgender youth regarding their interactions with their child’s school. Dr. Fisher’s 25-year social work career includes child protective services, adoption, medical and forensic social work, teaching, private practice, public speaking, and consulting. Recently, she has co-facilitated along with Jackie Rhew LCPC, the School Professionals Networking Webinar, participated in a panel discussion for the IASSW (Illinois Association for School Social Workers) Annual Conference, and has provided professional development on a myriad of topics for the McHenry County Mental Health Board, Amita Behavioral Health, Illinois Athletic Directors and Coaches, multiple Illinois K-12 School Districts, and in March, for SunCloud Health. For the past 14 years, Dr. Fisher has worked as a school social worker at Cary-Grove High School, Crystal Lake District 155. She currently lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago with her family and three naughty dogs.