County of Santa Clara to Host Inaugural LGBTQ Summit

Despite rollback of federal policy protections, Office of LGBTQ Affairs ramps up efforts to improve cultural competency and equity to better serve LGBTQ communities.

WHAT:

The County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs is hosting the first ever LGBTQ Summit. The all day-event is an opportunity for County employees, educators, nonprofit staff, researchers, allies and community members to explore innovative practices that will make a valuable impact on the well-being of LGBTQ communities.

The LGBTQ Summit will include a host of panel speakers, presentations and workshops, and plenty of opportunities for participants to ask questions and learn about services and resources offered in Santa Clara County.

“Regrettably we have heard the stories of schools not having policies in place to meet the needs of transgender, non-binary and non-conforming students. The Office of LGBTQ Affairs has experienced occurrences where transgender and non-binary individuals did not feel welcomed or safe at temporary housing shelters. The LGBTQ Summit will assist by bridging the gap between individuals and those who work in any capacity with LGBTQ communities,” said Maribel Martinez, Director of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs. “Cultural competency and exercising best practices are the pinnacle for success of individuals and organizations working in any capacity with LGBTQ community members.”

WHO:

Dave Cortese, Board of Supervisors, County of Santa Clara
Jeffrey V. Smith, County Executive, County of Santa Clara

David Campos, Deputy County Executive, County of Santa Clara

Maribel Martinez, Director, County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs

Ken Yeager, former County of Santa Clara Supervisor and LGBTQ advocate

Leader and representatives of community-based organizations serving the LGBTQ community

Keynote speakers:

Jo Olson, MD, national expert on transgender youth and young adults needs. Assistant Professor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles specializing in the care of gender non-conforming children and transgender youth and former Medical Director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.

Aydin Olson-Kennedy, MSW, LCSW, renown advocate for services for youth and adults within the LGBTQ community.

WHEN AND WHERE:

Friday, June 21, 2019, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Campbell Community Center

1 West Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008

WHY:

Since the inception of the County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs in 2016, the County has been a leader in pushing for LGBTQ- competent resources while moving the public system toward equity. In the past three years, the Office of LGBTQ Affairs has been working coordinated efforts to better serve LGBTQ communities. The Office’s staff facilitated several trainings with medical professionals at Valley Medical Center and various County departments. In October 2018, the Office launched the first ever interactive LGBTQ cultural competency program in the nation to promote workplace inclusiveness. All these efforts have been to address disparities from the results of the 2013 LGBTQ Health Assessment and improve the quality of life for LGBTQ community members in the County of Santa Clara.

The County of Santa Clara proudly upholds values of diversity, inclusion and justice. The County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs is actively working to assist and safeguard the rights and protection of the LGBTQ community locally. A variety of resources, essential programs and services are available to all community members. The new Take Pride in a Healthy Community resource document will be available for information on local resources and national hotlines. Also, visit the Office of LGBTQ Affairs Referrals and Resources web page.

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ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA

The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the sixth largest county in California. With a $7 billion budget, more than 70 agencies/departments and nearly 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, offers quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health and environmental protection; behavioral health and medical services through the County of Santa Clara Health System including Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (Hospital and Clinics), O’Connor Hospital and Saint Louise Regional Hospital; child and adult protection services; homelessness prevention and solutions; roads, parks and libraries; emergency response to disasters; protection of minority communities and those under threat; access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.

Visit us at SCCGOV.org

Media Contact: Larry Little, Office of LGBTQ Affairs, (669) 213-3183; Laurel Anderson/Marina Hinestrosa, Office of Public Affairs, (408) 299-5119.

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