This comprehensive learning series designed to build awareness, knowledge, and practical skills for educators, administrators, and support staff working with newcomer students and their families. Through three courses and a dedicated resource section, you’ll gain insights into fostering safe, inclusive, and empowering school environments.
Welcoming & Supporting Newcomer Youth Wellness in Schools Read More »
Lurie Children’s Sexuality Education Program combines the expertise of multidisciplinary staff with a youth-centered and engaging curriculum. Our team supports thoughtful, culturally responsive, and LGBTQIA inclusive conversations as students learn about relationships, social emotional development, and their bodies. All programming is consistent with the National Sexuality Education Standards and Gender Spectrum’s “Principles of Gender Inclusive Puberty and Health Education”. They are an approved community-based Sexual Health Education provider with public and private schools, including Chicago Public Schools.
A vulnerable decision point is a specific decision that is more vulnerable to the effects of implicit bias. This Vulnerable Decision Points (VDP) Worksheet provides teams with a planning document to plan how to respond equitably during VDPs.
This is a complementary guide to the Culturally Responsive, Anti-Racist, and Equitable (CARE) assessment, walking teams through the assessment process. The CARE school assessment tool is designed to be completed by a school team, whether an existing or newly formed one. Note: The scoring for this assessment will be through the SHAPE system. Final scores should also be added to the RSSI app.
Facilitation of the CARE school assessment process can be led by school or district personnel. Support is also available through RSSI in collaboration with statewide partners and Social-Emotional Learning Hub coaches. Teams are encouraged to reach out if external facilitation would support their reflection or planning efforts.
Research demonstrates that an affirming school climate improves behavioral, academic, and mental health outcomes for all students. We know that students are most likely to reach their full academic potential in positive learning environments that are safe, secure, and welcoming and where they feel a sense of belonging. LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than non-LGBTQ+ youth to experience violence at school and have lower levels of school connectedness. LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. These youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Instead, they are at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society. LGBTQ+ students deserve to feel safe, valued, and supported in their school communities. Use these courses and resources to help you create supportive and inclusive classrooms and schools. Find lots more in our Resources database by using the search function.
Center on Halsted provides a vast array of programs and services designed to advance Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and allied community, including mental health support with therapy, trauma services, assistance for violence survivors, LGBTQ+ affirming youth groups, youth development programs, arts programming, family programming, and young adult resources.
In plain language, this guide provides a helpful glossary of terms, background information and resources to help people with intellectual/developmental disabilities access what they need to lead healthy lives. People with IDD face many challenges to staying healthy, but they can still live good lives in the community with relationships, jobs, and responsibilities. Their disabilities don’t cause these challenges; a lack of support does. The World Health Organization says that helping people with disabilities stay healthy can’t be a “siloed activity” that just one group does. Instead, everyone must work together. School communities play an important part in getting youth with IDD what they need to be healthy and happy. Included in the guide are some government rules, resources, and recommendations to support good health and fair treatment for people with IDD.
Youth Services is a nonprofit organization which provides individualized, activities-based mental health care for children and adolescents in Chicago’s northern suburbs. With a focus on the social-emotional well-being of the community’s youth, they offer a variety of programs which address the individual needs of each child. Services include individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, socialization groups, after-school groups, pride, sexuality education, academic support, juvenile diversion, financial assistance, and referrals. For questions about services or to schedule an intake appointment, please email intake@ysgn.org or call 847-724-2620.
The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People amplifies the experiences of more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 across the United States.
For the sixth year, the U.S. National Survey uncovers the reality that there is a significant association between anti-LGBTQ+ victimization and disproportionately high rates of suicide risk — and that far too many young people struggle to access the mental health care they need.
The survey critically provides data-driven ways we can all show support and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ young people in our lives, based on their own responses — as well as the potentially life-saving benefits of creating affirming spaces and communities.
The List is a Chicagoland-based collection of resources for Trans and Gender Nonconforming folx and those who support them, including advocacy, crisis information, camps and retreats, an additional education.
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