New York State Network for Youth Success

Youth and the Right to Privacy
2022-10-13 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
Is it ok for our kids to keep secrets from us?

In this session, we will explore the tricky balance between young people’s inherent right to privacy and our responsibility as caregivers to keep them safe. How can we protect young people from very real dangers without sheltering them entirely from a world they need to be prepared to navigate? How can we incorporate technology – smartphones, social media etc. – into a changing conversation about privacy? And most importantly, how can we challenge ageist norms that strip youth of their agency and right to privacy in the name of safety?

Supporting the Needs of LGBTQIA Children & Teens
2022-10-19 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-10-24 12:00 - 13:00
Research shows that having just ONE supportive adult can reduce suicidality for LGBTQ youth. This session provides insight into their psycho-social-emotional needs with the aim of assisting staff in creating affirming environments and improving mental health. Plus, attendees will learn their legal obligations when working with LGBTQIA youth, especially those with unsupportive homes.

Prerequisite: LGBTQIA 101.

Native American Cultural Competency
2022-11-01 12:00 - 13:00
This presentations will brief overviews of Native cultures, health challenges facing many communities, and historical traumas. Emerging strategies to engage with Native American peoples more respectfully, and efforts to restore community wellbeing will also be discussed.

New Laws and New Talent: Attracting & Retaining LGBTQIA Employees
2022-11-02 10:30 - 11:30, 2022-11-07 18:00 - 19:00
Do you know the new NYS laws pertaining to trans and gender-nonconforming people in the workplace? Wondering how to be an attractive employer to LGBTQIA talent? Designed for HR and leadership, this session provides workplace policies and practices for creating affirming environments for current and future LGBTQIA staff, while reviewing laws that many employers in NYS are unaware of. Prerequisite: LGBTQIA 101.

Getting Gender Right: Role Modeling Support of Gender Diversity & Individuality
2022-11-18 12:00 - 13:00, 2022-11-21 12:00 - 13:00
Many childcare workers want children to grow in environments free from gender stereotypes and restrictions, yet often end up subconsciously reinforcing society’s messaging. From a young age, we have an opportunity to shift our language and behavior to improve mental health and stronger connections with children. Learn tools for reducing the pressures experienced by children of all genders! Prerequisite: LGBTQIA 101.

Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ Considerations
2022-12-01 10:30 - 12:00
This discussion will provide insights into specific issues, challenges, and opportunities that are relevant to Native American persons who may identify as being Two Spirit and the importance of recognizing cultural differences among all groups who may or may not be affiliated with LBGTQ+ communities.

Windows & Mirrors: LGBTQIA-Affirming Programs and Curriculum
2022-12-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-12-07 10:30 - 11:30
Adults in childcare and education settings have a unique opportunity to provide programming and materials that allow youth to see themselves and their families represented, while preparing them for interacting with the world around them and helping them be better friends. This session introduces the “Mirrors & Windows” learning theory (coined by educator Emily Styles in 1988) and provides examples for improvements to curriculum and programming. Prerequisite: LGBTQIA 101.

Traditional Teaching of the Good Mind
2022-12-14 10:30 - 12:00
This presentation will feature many traditional teachings and concepts of Haudenosaunee and Native cultures and perspectives that help us all relate to each other and understand our connections to the natural world. These perspectives are very helpful to develop and maintain healthy, positive relationships with many others as well as with Native Americans.

Deepening Allyship for LGBTQIA Children & Youth
2022-12-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-12-19 12:00 - 13:00
Take your allyship to the next level with an introspective exploration. We usually don’t even realize how our own experiences of gender and attraction shape how we provide care and education for youth. Allyship isn’t about being “tolerant” or even “supportive.” It’s about ACTION – so let’s dive in. Prerequisite: LGBTQIA 101

Native American Cultural Competency
2023-01-18 09:30 - 10:30
This presentation will provide a brief overview of Native cultures, health challenges facing many communities, and historical traumas. Emerging strategies to engage with Native American peoples more respectfully, and efforts to restore community wellbeing will also be discussed.

Embracing Change: Finding Common Ground on Intersectionality About Race, Gender, Religion, Class and Sexual Orientation [PART 1]
2023-01-20 11:00 - 12:30, 2023-03-27 11:00 - 12:30
To start off the new year in this primary session, participants will be able to identify their own DEI growth potential and explore the core concepts of dignity and respect– and investigate the hallmarks of intersectionality. Participants will also redefine their major-identity markers and unpack why it’s so hard for many of us to adapt to changes and challenges regarding race, gender, religion, class and sexual orientation in the world around us. We will also explore the ‘-isms’ we are collectively up against, and open ourselves up to identify what we need to learn more about in our quest to grow as educators. We will also discuss finding common ground and uncover why it is our job to help others change.

Embracing Change: Finding Common Ground on Intersectionality About Race, Gender, Religion, Class and Sexual Orientation [PART 2]
2023-01-27 11:00 - 12:30, 2023-04-03 11:00 - 12:30
In the second session of our series on finding common ground, participants will discuss intersectionality and the benefits and importance of discussing critical issues that spark controversy regarding race, gender, class and sexual orientation. Participants will also reflect on their roles as gatekeepers in the workplace, and why creating a culture of dignity and respect is so vital for educational spaces. This session will focus on dismantling barriers to participation for students, and ask attendees to engage in intersectional authenticity as a practice. We will also begin to explore the spectrum of diversity from awareness to advocacy.

Understanding the Difference and Significance of Trauma Informed Care as Compared to Historical Traumas, including the Impacts on Cross-Cultural Relationships
2023-02-01 10:30 - 12:00
Trauma-Informed Care is very helpful to understand how an individual person may be impacted by trauma. This session expands TIC to entire communities and focuses on how various factors and residual consequences of historical and continuing challenges may create walls or barriers that may impede developing cross-cultural interactions and relationships.

Embracing Change: Finding Common Ground on Intersectionality About Race, Gender, Religion, Class and Sexual Orientation [PART 3]
2023-02-10 11:00 - 12:30
In the third session of our series on intersectionality and finding common ground, participants will be able to unpack the political implications of why diversity and inclusion have become such charged issues, and discuss what we as educators can do about continuing to create socially-safe spaces for youth. Participants in the session will explore how to navigate our own biases and engage in discussion about protective practices for building inclusive communities. Participants will also explore strategies for how to ensure the safety of students with marginalized identities, and identify where we as practitioners need to learn more.

Getting out of our Silos
2023-02-14 10:30 - 12:00
This session will provide various models based on various Native American cultures and additional resources to help participants understand how single, focused areas of human and related services can expand to a greater understanding of the inter-relationship of multiple health and social issues impacting youth, their families, and communities.

Embracing Change: Finding Common Ground on Intersectionality About Race, Gender, Religion, Class and Sexual Orientation [PART 4]
2023-02-17 11:00 - 12:30
In the fourth session of our series on intersectionality, participants will discuss the differences between awareness, allyship, advocacy and activism. We will explore why it is important to have critical conversations about racism, misogyny, homophobia and xenophobia with our colleagues and students. Participants will also explore how to respond to fear and resistance, and why discomfort in conversations on equity can be uncomfortable but necessary. Participants will also share why it is imperative to explore identity in shared spaces with children and youth, and practice how to advocate for change within their workplace and institutions.

Bias: A Human Condition
2023-03-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-03-17 10:00 - 11:30
This highly interactive training opportunity will discuss the neurological basis for implicit bias. Participants will be able to reframe their understanding of bias and learn practical definitions for diversity, equity, and inclusion terms. Real-life examples and relevant research will be discussed to assist participants in identifying bias within various every day and educational contexts.

LGBTQIA 101: Foundations in Gender and Attraction
2023-03-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-03-16 11:30 - 13:00
An interactive [re]introduction to terminology and key concepts related to sexual orientation and gender identity expression. This session serves the foundation necessary for exploring the skills, practices, policies, and NYS laws in the upcoming LGBTQIA sessions. Individuals wishing to attend other sessions from the facilitator must first attend this session.

Names & Pronouns: Making Mistakes and Getting it Right
2023-03-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-04-05 10:00 - 11:00
Adjusting to a youth’s new name? Struggling with they/them pronouns? Wondering what to do when the family isn’t on board? This session provides attendees with tips, tools, and NYS laws applicable to communicating with and about youth & staff who are trans and/or nonbinary. Prerequisite: LGBTQIA 101

Bias Talks: The Language of Accountability
2023-04-13 10:00 - 11:30
Interrupting bias in our everyday lives can be daunting, especially when you may not have the language to express your thoughts. In this interactive presentation, participants will be able to learn strategies and the language to engage in difficult conversations thoughtfully. Want to share these strategies with your students? Participants will also receive tools to bring the training back to their programs through age-appropriate activities.
