I have extensive experience in the design and delivery of education and training in a broad range of environments, including: secondary school, university, community adult education, and professional development for health and human service providers.
In the past year, I have delivered training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations, including: local councils, sector-wide Maternal and Child Health, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), City Fertility Centre, Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support (SANDS), EPIC (Early Childhood Intervention Services and Training) Centre, and Perinatal Mental Health.
I currently run on-site programs for early learning, child-care, education and health and human services staff who work with same-sex attracted, transgender and gender diverse parents and their families. I can tailor training to the particular needs of your group or organisation.
1 hour presentation
A presentation that draws on current academic research, my longstanding involvement with the Rainbow Families Council, and my personal experience of raising three children in a rainbow family. The presentation provides an overview of same-sex and transgender families – numbers of families, legal recognition, common concerns, challenges for families, challenges for service providers, and outcomes for children. I also provide some guidance, suggestions and strategies for service providers to take back to the workplace.
2 hour presentation
In addition to the above, there is an opportunity for participants to share their experience and concerns and to discuss any particular problems or issues they may have encountered.
½ day workshop
In addition to the above, there is an opportunity to include interactive exercises, and/or case studies.
Full day workshop
The full day workshop includes a mix of presentations, interactive exercises, case study examples, and more comprehensive ideas and strategies for working successfully with LGBT families back in the workplace.
Working with same-sex, transgender and gender diverse families: a tailored training program
The aim of this training is to give service providers the knowledge and understanding to work confidently with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse parents and their children. The training explores ideas and approaches that build inclusion and ensure service provision to LGBT parents and their children is appropriate, positive and meaningful.
The training uses a mix of interactive exercises, case study examples, research findings and personal stories. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions and share their own experiences in a friendly and supportive environment. By the end of the training, participants have ideas and strategies for working successfully with LGBT families back in their workplace.
The training can be tailored to the specific needs of any organisation and session times and number of participants can all be negotiated. If you work with rainbow families, or you think you should be getting more rainbow families through your door, contact me to see how I can help.
Training participants have included staff who work in: Aged Care, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Community Health, Counselling, Child Care, Corrections, Couples and Family Therapy, Eating Disorders, Early Learning, Maternal and Child Health, Mediation, Mental Health, Nursing and Midwifery, Peer Support, Refugee Health, Social Work, Suicide Prevention, Teaching and Youth Work.
Organisations that have sent staff include: Anglicare, City of Stonington, Cohealth, Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Headspace, Karadi Aboriginal Corporation, Lifeline, Mission Australia, Monash Health, Queen Elizabeth Centre, Relationships Australia, Salvation Army, Vincent Care, Victorian AIDs Council and Wyndam Council.
The feedback from the training has been great and I’ve learnt so much about the creative ways service providers support our families, and some of the challenges they face.
Comments from participants
Well presented, clear, specific, relevant information based in experiential knowledge. Thank-you. Very informative and useful information. Great conversation!! — Jill, private practice
Brilliant presenter, real, focussed and engaging. — Joyce, Standby Response Service
The most useful parts of the program for me were developing an awareness of the broad ranging issues and associated complexities for LGBTIQ families and enhancing my level of understanding. Has helped me to look at my perceptions/attitudes, way of working etc. — Katrina, Psychologist
The scenarios were thought-provoking and enlightening and the discussion around LGBT issues in a family context was most useful. — Adrienne, Salvation Army
As a result of the training I will make the office more LGBT friendly and challenge management to work towards making the organisation more LGBT friendly, and acknowledge the experiences and difficulties of LGBT families. — Rebecca, Queen Elizabeth Centre
The most useful part for me was Jacqui’s personal stories and knowledge. — Sharon, Relationships Australia
A reminder that treating everyone the “same” is not necessarily the answer!! Thanks. — Jules, Manager