LEARN

Webinars

This Center of Excellence hosts webinars for health practitioners focused on the best and latest practices to decrease behavioral health disparities impacting LGBTQ+ children, youth, young adults, adults, and older adults. CECs are available for both foundational and advanced topics. To access all past webinar recordings, visit our session recordings page.

The UConn School of Social Work is approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health to provide continuing education credits (CECs) for social workers. The School is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Sign up for an account or log in to the Innovations Learning Management System to register for upcoming webinars.

Foundational topics

Interested in building foundational knowledge on LGBTQ+ behavioral health? Start here with these resources and self-paced webinars! We strongly recommended that these webinars are viewed prior to attending our advanced topic webinars.

For an introduction to sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression check out our Learning About SOGIE animation (available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese) and download the accompanying glossary (also available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese) for a list of terms commonly used in LGBTQ+ communities.

For more videos, tip sheets, and infographics, visit our Resources page!

RECORDED WEBINARS AVAILABLE NOW!

Presenters:
Lyndsay Smith (she/her)
Jabari Lyles (he/him)

Sexual Orientation & Behavioral Health 101

This webinar enables behavioral health service providers to be more equipped to support, treat and advocate for people with diverse sexual orientations. Considering a general lack of LGBTQ+-affirming knowledge among healthcare providers, along with data and research which suggests LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk for poor health outcomes, this webinar offers institutions the skills they need to minimize gaps. Participants will define sexual orientation and explore related terms and concepts in human sexuality, become more intimately aware of the unique experiences of people who have diverse sexual orientations, learn specific behavioral health disparities, including risk and protective factors for people of various sexual orientations, and gain a toolkit of best practices for applying this knowledge in the field.

Presenters:
Lyndsay Smith (she/her)
Ezra Halstead (they/them and he/him)

Gender Identity, Expression & Behavioral Health 101

This webinar provides foundational knowledge about gender identity and gender expression, and how to best provide services for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals across the lifespan. Participants will learn concepts relating to gender identity and expression, as well as the process of transitioning, and respectful terms. Important terms that will be defined include but are not limited to: transgender, cisgender, nonbinary, intersex, and pronouns. Social, legal, and medical types of transition will be reviewed, as well as potential interpersonal/familial and systemic barriers to transition. Risk factors and behavioral health disparities for adults and children in this community will be reviewed, as well as best practices service providers can use to create a respectful and welcoming environment.

Advanced topics

Our live webinar series offers a deeper dive into specific topics as well as implications for behavioral health practice.

LIVE In January

Thursday, January 19, 1-2 p.m. ET

Presenter:

Lawrence Bryant (he/him)

Health Disparities Among Black LGBTQ+ People: A Closer Look at Issues & Trends

Research shows that LGBTQ+ populations of all ages disproportionately experience disparities and poorer health outcomes compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. These disparities are particularly salient among Black gay men. For example, according to CDC data, while HIV has declined among White gay men, it has increased significantly among Black gay men. In fact, 1 in 2 Black gay men will contract HIV within their lifetime. This statistic is startling and is an immediate call to action to help mitigate this trend. The goal of this webinar is to provide a closer look at the issues and trends that impact this population; including substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS, stigma, race, and homophobia. This webinar will further explore evidence-based strategies that are effective in working with this population.

Ask Our Experts!

Our Ask Our Experts virtual sessions connect practitioners with consultants from across the country who provide technical assistance on a variety of subjects.

Panel Discussion: New Adapted Prevention and Screening Resources for LGBTQ+ Young People at Risk of Harmful Substance Use

During this panel discussion, presenters will discuss recent efforts to adapt and create prevention and screening resources to serve LGBTQ+ young people. This presentation will include a first person perspective from a trans person in recovery; implementation of SBIRT in high school settings; newly drafted guidelines for using SBIRT with transgender and nonbinary populations; and important findings about what drives harmful substance use among LGBTQ+ adolescents. This panel is being held in partnership with the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network.