From the perspective of two social workers that also happen to be same-sex parents, this workshop will explore personal and professional insights on parenting in today’s rapidly changing landscape. Participants can expect to broaden their understanding of current political and societal challenges facing LGBTQ+ families through examining the nuances of navigating healthcare, education, legal systems and social services. Now more than ever, the difficult conversations are the most important to have and with this webinar, attendees can walk away with practical strategies, resources and confidence to advocate for families with hope and empowerment.

Learning Objectives:
•    Identify common systemic barriers that LGBTQ+ parents and families may encounter in healthcare, education, legal and social service systems.
•    Understand rights and protections available to LGBTQ+ parents in the state of Minnesota
•    Develop strategies for advocacy when engaging with professionals, institutions, or agencies that may hold biases or lack inclusivity.
•    Strengthen communication skills for discussing family structure with providers, educators and community supports.
•    Build confidence in allyship and awareness of supportive resources available on a local, state and national level to empower LGBTQ+ families in navigating systems safely and effectively.