The YMSM+LGBT Center of Excellence conducted five Training of Trainers (ToT) events over the course of the grant period on our new curriculum titled, “A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals (2nd Edition)”. During the ToT participants were trained to conduct this new full-day training, which is intended for anyone in contact with LGBT individuals (including MH and SUD clinicians, HIV providers, State, Local and County government employees, Primary care providers, Public health practitioners, Prevention specialists, Community based organizations, School teachers and Counselors). The full-day curriculum consists of six training modules, beginning with an introduction to key terms and concluding with treatment considerations for clinical work. The other four modules address the specific needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
Prerequisite Requirements: Eligible trainers must have had 1) a minimum of two years training experience; 2) a baseline level of knowledge of providing culturally responsive treatment for LGBT clients; 3) experience providing substance use and/or mental health services; and 4) working knowledge about the laws, policies and attitudes towards LGBT people in the state(s) in which they plan to train.
Structure: During the first day of the ToT, participants were exposed to the curriculum content. During day two, participants had the opportunity to prepare and train assigned portions of the curriculum, and receive feedback from the master trainers and other participants. There was an application process to attend one of the ToT’s (see below). A maximum of 20 participants were accepted to attend each ToT (up to two participants per regional ATTC). Applications were considered on a first come, first served basis.
Regional TOT Events took place in the following areas:
- March 17-18, 2016 in Washington DC (Application deadline was January 19, 2016)
- May 24-25, 2016 in Tacoma, WA (Application deadline was March 29, 2016)
- September 22-23, 2016 in Mystic Lake, MN (Application deadline was July 18, 2016)
- February 1-2, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA (Application deadline was December 16, 2016)
- March 30-31, 2017 in New York, NY (Application deadline was January 30, 2017) – please note this is a Spanish Language TOT