Workshops, Trainings, and Seminars

True Colors offers a full range of staff development training for educators, administrators, social service and mental health care providers and other professionals. In addition, True Colors offers consultation services for agency and/or school assessment for cultural competence and compliance with existing Connecticut and Federal guidelines.

If you would like to have True Colors  work with your school, company, or organization, please contact us for pricing information and scheduling.  

2.5 Hour On-Site Session  |  4 Hour On-Site Session  |  Youth Presentations

Description of the 2.5 Hour On-Site Session

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and, now, Intersex Youth are coming out earlier and earlier – a reality that has many ramifications for youth and family services providers, educators, family members, community agencies and others. Often, youth-serving professionals — however open and accepting they might be — feel little prepared to deal with the issues associated with sexual and gender minority status in our culture. This lively, interactive discussion will offer participants the opportunity to explore the issues; differentiate between personal values and cultural myths or stereotypes which, if unexplored, can significantly impact one’s ability to work effectively with sexual minority populations; assess their own and their agencies readiness to effectively serve this population, and develop strategies for providing affirming, culturally competent programs and services to LGBTI youth and families within their agency’s purview.

Agenda:

• Introductions and Ground Rules

• Opening Exercise: Impact of Silence (sets the framework for discussion)

• Definitions

• Values Clarification Exercise

• Agency Readiness Assessment Activity

• Q+A; Next Steps and Close

Description of the 4.0 Hour On-Site Session

In addition to the activities, discussions and exercises listed above, this session adds a hands-on role-playing and skill building component that allows participants the opportunity to explore real life issues with this population and practice potential interventions. In order to ensure the value of this exercise, scenarios are developed with direct input from the agency, program or school.

Youth Presentations

Goals:

• To educate and inform participants about the lives and experiences of sexual and gender minority youth and families

• To reduce homophobia and eliminate the myths and stereotypes that exist regarding sexual and gender minority people

• To increase respect and tolerance for diversity

Description: Guess the gay! ($150)
True Colors provides a panel of people of various genders and orientations. We introduce ourselves briefly and cover some basic ground rules. The group is then instructed to ask panelists questions for 5 minutes about anything and everything except who we are in relationship with.

After 5 minutes, the group has to make a decision about each panel member’s sexual orientation. We then talk about why they made the choices they did (generating a great discussion about stereotypes!) and then we tell them how each of us identifies (and they are usually wrong!) Finally, we open it up to Q&A.

Description: That is SO Gay! Or is it?
Hate language or free speech? Prejudice or family values? When it comes to homosexuality and gender sometimes it is hard to tell. Come join this lively, interactive discussion for an opportunity to talk about the issues, separate fact from fiction, and figure out what you think and believe. This activity includes an opening icebreaker and group discussion with questions and answers.

Trainer Biography
Robin Passariello McHaelen, MSW is the founder and current Executive Director of True Colors, Inc. Sexual Minority Youth and Family Services of Connecticut, a non-profit agency which exists to ensure that the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people are competently met by those responsible for our education, health and well-being. Robin is a Who’s Who in America designate every year since 2002 and is the recipient of numerous awards for her efforts on behalf of LGBTI youth and families.