Providing Hope and Healing: Lgbtq+ Youth and Initiating Change Within Systems

PROVIDING HOPE AND HEALING: LGBTQ+ YOUTH AND INITIATING CHANGE WITHIN SYSTEMS

APRIL 18, 2019

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

TRAINING RESOURCE AND INFORMATION NETWORK (TRAIN)

MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING BY: 2

P A R T N E R S

Pride Action Tank, a project of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, is a multi- issue project incubator and think tank focused on improving outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups

360 YOUTH SERVICES ACLU OF ILLINOIS PRIDE ACTION TANK, A PROJECT OF THE AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO AUNT MARTHA’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS BROADWAY YOUTH CENTER, A PROGRAM OF HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER ON HALSTED HEALTH & MEDICINE POLICY RESEARCH GROUP ILLINOIS COLLABORATION ON YOUTH LAMBDA LEGAL LAWRENCE HALL LITTLE CITY CHICAGO LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO The Illinois LGBTQ Roundtable is a collaborative of COOK COUNTY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL CENTER organizations and individuals who work with and on QUO VADIMUS CONSULTING behalf of children and youth in our state’s child RAINBOW CAFÉ welfare system UCAN CHICAGO YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PERFORMANCE PROJECT YOUTH OUTLOOK

TRAINING Training Resource and Information Network (TRAIN) is a consortium of service providers who collaborate and share training and staff development RESOURCE resources in order to best meet the needs of those served by community- based organizations AND

INFORMATION

NETWORK ( T R A I N ) 3

L G B T Q + Y O U T H A N D I N I T I A T I N G C H A N G E W I T H I N S Y S T E M S

Pride Action Tank is collaborating with the Illinois LGBTQ Roundtable and Training Resource and Information Network (TRAIN) to host Providing Hope and Healing: LGBTQ+ Youth and Initiating Change within Systems.

Speakers include advocates, policy makers, service providers and youth who will be panelists during sessions that cover topics such as the criminal justice system, child welfare, education and supports such as housing and workforce development. Each session will include time for solutions-focused discussion that will aid post-symposium advocacy efforts.

The goals of this summit are to:

• Create a platform that centers the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ young adults to shed light on the issues they face and gaps in services, resources and opportunities, within systems of care. • Identify opportunities to build capacity for families and communities to support system-involved LGBTQ+ youth. • Develop an agenda for advocacy, resources and inclusion with and for LGBTQ+ young adults and service providers.

This provider conference is structured and informed by the Youth Advocate Solutions (YAS): Summit for LGBTQ+ Youth (18- 24 years old) who have experienced the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, which was held last November. To help participants ideate on solutions to challenges faced by youth in systems, 30+ youth participated in this day-long summit and paired four youth needs with human-centered solutions:

Build the capacity of families to support youth --- Provide multimedia training for families Create safe school environments --- Enact no-tolerance policies paired with cultural competency training Coordinating support for youth across systems --- Create a service navigator app to connect youth with services Support aging out youth in systems and community programs --- Create housing programs with a built-in workforce pipeline for youth to be eligible for housing

Both of these summits are informed by an expanse of background information and research regarding LGBTQ+ youth in systems. Selections from this information are listed below:

• Major issues reported by youth include: dealing with and facing issues with the criminal justice system, experiencing difficulties with family acceptance, specifically in foster care systems, and facing challenges with school systems. • In Chicago, the population of homeless youth is estimated at 15,000 and at 25,000 across Illinois. Nearly 40% of all homeless youth in Chicago identify as LGBTQ. Additionally, of all homeless individuals in Chicago, almost 75% of those identify as Black/African American. • LGBTQ youth are over-represented in the criminal justice system. 20% of youth in the criminal justice system identify as LGBTQ, compared to 9% of youth identifying as LGBTQ in the United States. 85% of LGBTQ youth in the criminal justice system are youth of color, and primarily Black/African American. • LGBTQ youth experience harsher and more exclusionary disciplinary policies in schools, leading to a higher likelihood of dropping out.

The Child Welfare, Educational and Criminal Justice systems collectively create a set of barriers and difficulties that cyclically and disproportionately affect LGBTQ youth. This affects LGBTQ youth of color the most, a large portion of whom are black youth. In order to make a difference in addressing these issues for LGBTQ youth, we must address how current systems interact with each other and with youth to create actionable changes.

S U M M I T S C H E D U L E

TIME ACTIVITY/PRESENTATION TIME ACTIVITY/PRESENTATION 8:00-9:00 Registration/Resource Fair 12:15 – 1:15 LUNCH/RESOURCE FAIR 9:00 – 9:15 Introduction/Objectives & Welcome 1:15 – 2:00 Keynote 2 – Youth Experiences Panel • Debbie Podmore, Lawrence Hall & TRAIN Moderator: D’Ontace Keyes, AIDS • Kim L. Hunt, Pride Action Tank & Illinois Foundation of Chicago LGBTQ Roundtable • Jiamond Clark, Damonica Williams & Nakiesha Hale-Kirby, Broadway Youth Center

9:15 – 9:45 Opening 2:00 – 3:30 Breakout Session B Jessica Kadish-Hernandez, 2nd Story Child Welfare System

Moderator: Kenny Martin-Ocasio, Aunt 9:45-10:30 Keynote 1 Martha’s David Fischer, Quo Vadimus, LLC • Bill Bettencourt, Center for the Study of Social Policy • Ghirlandi Guidetti, ACLU Illinois 10:30 – 10:45 BREAK • Ulysses Rosales, Office of the Public 10:45 – 12:15 Breakout Session A Guardian Housing & Homelessness Moderator: Latonya Maley, Broadway Youth Education Center Moderator: Renee Lehocky, Lawrence Hall • Carolyn Wahlskog, LGBTQ Youth • Alan D. Johnson, Chicago Public Schools Transitional Housing, 360 Youth Services • Jennifer Leininger, Ann & Robert H. Lurie • Devin Redmond & Youth, The Night Ministry Children's Hospital of Chicago • Sharday Hamilton, The Night Ministry - • Rodrigo Anzures-Oyorzabal, Illinois Safe YOUTH Schools Alliance • Beth Horwitz, Chapin Hall, Beth Horwitz • Stacey Horn, UIC professor w/ research • Kevin Pleasant, Chicago House emphasis on safe schools

Criminal Justice System Workforce/Employment Moderator: Jeff Jefferson, Howard Brown Moderator: Jennifer Carroll, Lawrence Hall Health • Jevita Hamilton & Youth, Lawrence Hall • Channyn Parker, Howard Brown Health • Kenneth Broady, UCAN • Anna Buckingham, Juvenile Justice • Carolyn Leach, Chicago House Social Detention Center Services • Tisa Morris - Sherriff’s office • Patti Flynn, lived experience 3:30-3:45 BREAK 3:45 – 4:45 Across Systems Panel Legislation/Law/Advocacy Moderator: Keron Blair, The Alliance to Moderator: Aisha Davis Reclaim Our Schools • Nora Collins-Mandeville, ACLU Illinois • Marna Satlak, Illinois Dept. of Juvenile • Amanda McMillen, Illinois Collaboration on Justice Youth • Gaylon B. Alcaraz, Department of • Elena Quintana, Institute on Public Safety & Children and Family Services Social Justice, Adler University • Dr. Kenneth Fox, Chicago Public Schools • Niya K. Kelly, Chicago Coalition of the Homeless 4:45 – 5:15 Closing nd Aimy Tien, 2 Story closing 5:15 – 5:30 Evaluations/Certificates

P A N E L I S T S, M O D E R A T O R S, A N D O T H E R S P E A K E R S

In November 2018, Pride Action Tank collaborated with the Illinois LGBTQ Roundtable and, in particular, our fellow members Broadway Youth Center and the Center on Halsted, under the direction of the youth planning committee to host Youth Advocate Solutions: Summit on LGBTQ+ Systems-Involved Youth (YAS). We are very pleased that young people who participated in YAS and other youth will be joining panels today and ask that you respect their experiences and their views, just as you would for other panelists. Thank you to Jiamond Clark, Nakiesha Hale-Kirby, Sharday Hamilton, Damonica Williams and all the other young people here today for sharing your expertise.

GAYLON B. ALCARAZ KERON BLAIR

Gaylon B. Alcaraz is the current LGBTQI Keron is an organizer with close to 15 Program Specialist with the Department years of experience working for social of Children and Family Services. She change. His work includes campaigns comes from a long history in Chicago as to win marriage equality, raise the an activist, organizer and champion of minimum wage, expand tenants' human rights. As the past Executive rights, and win rights Director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, immigrant. Keron is currently the she worked within the reproductive national co-director of the Alliance to justice/rights/health movement to Reclaim Our Schools, the nation's largest public education advocate for low-income women seeking advocacy group. Keron also consults on a number of to control their reproductive freedom. Among the many social campaigns around the country. The question that guides Keron's justice accomplishments credited to Gaylon, she served as a work is, in what ways does this lead to the full liberation of black founding board member of Affinity Community Services, a social people? justice organization that advocates for the rights of black lesbian Keron= Black. Queer. Womanist. Fat .Poly. Immigrant. Lover. and bisexual women in the Chicago land area. During her board Freedom Fighter. tenure at Affinity, she assumed increased leadership roles, across all areas of the organization’s functions including the role of BILL BETTENCOURT Vice-President of the board, prior to the end of her final board service. She is also a past board member of the Illinois Caucus Bill Bettencourt has 40 years of for Adolescent Health and the Midwest Access Project. Born and experience working in the social services raised in Chicago, Illinois she was awarded her BA and MA from field. He began his career as a Social DePaul University. Gaylon is currently a PhD candidate in Worker/Assistant Director for a parent- Community Psychology at National Louis University. run community preschool. For over 26 years, he worked for the City and County RODRIGO ANZURES-OYORZABAL of San Francisco, the last 4 years as the Director of Child Welfare. He served as a Rodrigo was born in Aguascalientes, Program Officer with the Stuart Mexico and raised in Chicago. As the Foundation, then served as a Senior Consultant for the Annie E. Policy & Advocacy Manager at the Casey Foundation for 8 years leading their Family to Family Alliance, he works with school districts Initiative efforts in the states of California, Washington and and students to write policies that Alaska and serving as the lead for their Racial Disparity and support transgender and gender Disproportionality team, where in that role he worked closely expansive students. His policy work is with the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s Institutional informed by advocating alongside Analysis team. He led system improvement efforts in California in students when they seek to improve partnership with the State Department of Social Services aimed the climate at their schools. He is constantly inspired by the at improving outcomes for LGBTQ children, youth and families youth he works with. Outside of work, Rodrigo is a member of involved with the system and continues to support the ongoing Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), where he work in California and nationally. He is currently a Senior Fellow organizes for migrant rights. at the Center for the Study of Social Policy in Washington D.C. co-leading the getREAL. Initiative focused on improving well- being outcomes in the area of healthy sexual and identity 6 development for children and youth in the child welfare system. served as a Site Coordinator for various Older Adolescent Bill received his BA degree from SF State and his MA from the Programs, and eventually transitioned into the Intake University of San Francisco. Coordinator role for both Residential and Older Adolescent Programs, until her current position change to administration. KENNETH BROADY She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Eastern Illinois University. She is an approved trainer for Therapeutic Ken Broady is the Talent Acquisition Crisis Intervention, Full Associate (through Cornell University). Manager in the Human Resources Department at UCAN. Ken is NORA COLLINS-MANDEVILLE responsible for full cycle recruiting for nine separate divisions with a total of Nora Collins-Mandeville (she/her/hers) 750 employees. Over the years, Ken has is the Director of Systems Reform Policy worked in a variety of Human Resource with the ACLU of Illinois. Her work and Administrator roles in the private focuses on efforts to reform the and public sector. He also serves on the Diversity Committee at Department of Children and Family UCAN. Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and seeks to enforce ANNA BUCKINGHAM constitutional rights of children in government care through legislative Anna Buckingham is the Director and regulatory advocacy. Since joining of Gender Services for the Cook the ACLU of Illinois last year, Nora has seen passage of County Juvenile Temporary legislation to require interagency coordination and accountability Detention Center. Her work in Medicaid managed care for DCFS-involved youth. Nora holds centers on advocating for youth a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from New College and a and collaborating with community Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization based organizations to in juvenile justice and child welfare from Nova Southeastern accomplish programming in the University. Nora completed research in the areas of body areas of: leadership, self-care and dysmorphia, adolescent cognition and substance abuse, wellness, consent, sexual health, children’s language acquisition, parent-child roles in social LGBTQI+ advocacy, social justice, development, and the dynamics of intimate-partner aggression. parenting, and visual arts, among others. Anna is currently a She is a fellow of Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile steering committee member for the Coalition on Urban Girls- Justice Reform and a recipient of the Florida Children’s First Child Chicago, an alliance of organizations with the mission to improve Advocacy Award honoring her efforts to reform policy and law the health, safety and wellness of girls living in Chicago. Anna affecting the lives of youth in foster care. holds a MA in Art Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge and a BFA in Film and Video from the University of Illinois- AISHA DAVIS Chicago. Anna is the mother of two girls, Carolina-4 and Mina- 1, with a third girl making her appearance in May. Prayers are Aisha N. Davis, Esq., is an LGBTQ+ welcome. advocate serving as the Manager of Policy & Advocacy at Howard JENNIFER CARROLL Brown Health. After attending Washington & Lee University in Jennifer Carroll is the Director of Lexington, VA, she attended Administrative Affairs at Lawrence Hall. Columbia Law School and the She coordinates advanced, diversified and University of London’s School of confidential administrative and special Oriental and African Studies for project support to the CEO, the Board of her JD and LLM, respectively. As Trustees and the Administration an avid student of intersectionality, Department team. She interfaces with Aisha has worked on civil rights employees, donors, alumni, young issues throughout her legal career, including work with Amnesty people, public officials, regulatory officials, and the general International, the Human Rights Foundation, Columbia Law public. She joined the Lawrence Hall team in 2006 and has nearly School’s Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies, the 20 years’ experience in child welfare. In the early years of her African American Policy Forum, Lambda Legal, and Loevy & career she worked as a case manager and group home Loevy. Since her move to Chicago, Aisha has continued this coordinator with a suburban-based agency, before landing at mission through as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors Lawrence Hall in 2006. Upon her start with the agency, she of Affinity Community Services, the Vice-Chair of the Board of 7

Directors of the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, and with her work Medicaid/CHIP) and the food stamps program (SNAP). Fully alive with the Pride Action Tank. to the social determinants of health, Dr. Fox works to eliminate health-related barriers to learning and drive better health and DAVID FISCHER educational outcomes for Chicago’s students. Dr. Fox is a pediatrician with nearly 30 years of experience. He attended the David Fischer is an activist and University of Chicago and trained at Boston Children’s Hospital advocate who works to transform and the University of Pennsylvania. He has written and lectured the systems that impact the lives widely on cultural and social justice issues in health and care and of our most marginalized youth. has collaborated with Partners in Health and Physicians for As the Chief Consultant with Quo Human Rights. Vadimus, LLC, he works alongside the juvenile justice, child GHIRLANDI GUIDETTI protection, health, and education systems to address the needs of Ghirlandi Guidetti (he/him/his) is young people and the adults who serve them using a holistic and a Staff Attorney in the ACLU of transformational approach. Previously, David was the Director of Illinois’ LGBTQ & HIV Project Programs at the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance. Through his work where he is involved in a broad with systems, David strives to change the roots of inequity that range of advocacy and litigation separate youth from opportunities for effective education and on behalf of LGBTQ individuals push them into these harmful systems. David graduated from and people living with HIV. Since UIC with a degree in Human Development and Learning. he joined the ACLU in the fall of 2015, Ghirlandi has utilized the PATTI FLYNN ACLU’s long-standing consent decree with DCFS (B.H. v. Dyer- Webster) to investigate the experiences of LGBTQ youth in the Patti Flynn is an out queer trans child welfare system and advocate for reforms to better protect woman, and was named Sales and serve this vulnerable population. Ghirlandi is a graduate of Director for the Chicago Reader Loyola University Chicago where he earned his J.D. and a Master weekly newspaper in the fall of 2018. of Public Policy degree. Through a career spanning 26 years she has worked in many disciplines JEVITA HAMILTON from production control, distribution, marketing and sales, and systems Jevita Hamilton is the Director of integration and implementation. Her Youth and Community latest endeavor at Chicago Reader Development with Lawrence Hall. comes as a direct result of her coming Jevita has been working with out process, and decision to be an out, proud advocate for the Lawrence Hall for the past 6 years LGBT community. A process that has gone from her fearful providing workforce development reticence to come out, to being featured in Crains Chicago and mentoring services for at-risk Business, and accepting a highly public role at the Chicago youth in Chicago. Jevita is a Reader. She is also an avid endurance athlete, having finished the Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience providing trauma grueling Trans Rockies Run, a 6 day, 120 mile race across the focused services to the community. Additionally, Jevita has Rocky Mountains, and recently the Chicago Marathon. experience with court-involved, homeless, foster care youth and their families. Dr. KEN FOX STACEY HORN, PhD Dr. Ken Fox is the Chief Health Officer for Chicago Public Schools. As the District’s Stacey S. Horn, (Ph.D. 2000, University chief medical professional, Dr. Fox of Maryland) is a Professor of oversees the District’s Office of Student Educational and Developmental Health and Wellness. He is the principal Psychology and Chair of the spokesperson on student health issues, Department of Educational Psychology overseeing a portfolio that includes and an affiliate faculty member in Health Promotion, Direct Medical Community Psychology and Prevention Services, Health Information Research at University of Illinois at Management, and the Children & Family Benefits Unit (CFBU), Chicago. Her current research focuses which enrolls students and families in public health insurance on issues of sexual prejudice and bias- 8 motivated harassment among adolescents, adolescents’ into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. She has also been a reasoning about peer harassment, as well as LGBT students’ member of several boards and advisory groups and engaged in experiences in schools and communities. Much of this work looks civic activities at the local and state levels. For nearly six years at the underlying moral, social, and personal dimension of she’s been the co-host of OUTSpoken LGBTQ Storytelling, a exclusion and peer harassment, how adolescents construct an monthly show in Chicago. Ms. Hunt has a bachelor’s degree in understanding of their peer interactions based on these journalism, from Iowa State University and master’s degrees in dimensions, and the role that bias plays in adolescents urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at understanding and experiences of harassment. Stacey is a former Chicago and public policy studies from the University of Chicago. high school English teacher and has worked with young people Photo provided by: Rebecca Parish Interchange Productions for over 25 years.

BETH HORWITZ ALAN D. JOHNSON Alan D. Johnson (he/him/his) Beth Horwitz is a Policy Analyst received a Master of Public Health at Chapin Hall at the University degree from DePaul University. He of Chicago. Horwitz focuses on also holds a BA in Psychology with a strategic policy research Concentration in Human initiatives related to youth Development. As a Student Health homelessness, child welfare, and Education Specialist within Chicago disconnected youth. She Public Schools, Alan works to supports community-level and promote healthy schools by large-scale system change increasing access to Comprehensive efforts, working with public and private decision makers to use Sexual Health Education, Sexual Health Services, and Safe and data and evidence to meet specific population needs and Supportive Environments for all students. support evidence-based practices. Prior to her role at Chapin Hall, Horwitz was a Program Director at the Illinois Collaboration JESSICA KADISH-HERNANDEZ on Youth. There she oversaw the Homeless Youth Prevention Planning project, which developed a model of services to Jess Kadish has been telling, directing, improve outcomes and reduce homelessness among adolescents and curating stories in Chicago since currently and formerly in the child welfare system. This public- 2011, mostly with 2nd Story where private partnership with the Illinois Department of Children and she’s been a proud company member Family Services engaged stakeholders from across Illinois to since 2012, and served as Director of design a data-driven, evidence-informed case management Programming for the 2014-2015 model. Horwitz also has experience working with the chronically season. She spends the academic year homeless and homeless families. Horwitz holds a Master of Arts in the cornfields training in the MFA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago acting program at the University of and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Barnard College. Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also teaches acting as a graduate KIM L. HUNT instructor. She’s an ensemble member with Teatro Aguijón, Chicago’s Spanish-speaking theatre company, where she has Kim L. Hunt is the appeared in La Fulana Respetuosa, La Pasión Según Antígona executive director Pérez, and Blowout. She has also worked with Lifeline Theatre, of the Pride Action Chicago Dramatists, 16th Street Theater, Pride Films and Plays, Tank (PAT), a Teatro Luna, Colectivo El Pozo and Voice of The City. Recent on- project of the AIDS camera credits include Easy Abby (Juicy Planet), You’re So Foundation of Talented (OpenTV), and DateSMASH! (XVP Comedy) (all Chicago, where Chicago-based web series! #MakeYourOwn!). She’s a graduate she also serves as of UChicago and is represented by Gray Talent Group. Jess also the interim vice works as a facilitator with Morten Group's Diversity, Equity and president of Policy & Advocacy. PAT is a multi-issue project Inclusion team, and is especially passionate about opening up incubator and think tank, focused on action that leads to conversations around racial justice with fellow white folks. Find improved outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and her online at jessicakadish.com. Find her in real life memorizing other marginalized groups. Ms. Hunt’s career spans the public, lines out loud on the CTA – it’s a great way to get a seat all to private, and nonprofit sectors with a focus on advocacy and yourself. community, organizational and leadership development. She is the receipt of numerous honors and awards, including induction 9

NIYA KELLY RENEE LEHOCKY

Niya Kelly is the State Renee Lehocky is the Director Legislative Director at the of Strategic Initiatives at Chicago Coalition for the Lawrence Hall who partners Homeless. She joined the with the Board of Directors organization in 2015 as a policy and Senior Leadership team specialist. Her work focuses on of the organization the Illinois state budget and implementing the strategic youth homelessness and plan. Renee believes that all housing insecurity policies. In families can be successful. her work she has written and She is a strong ally for youth advocated several pieces of legislation including: providing new and families and approaches the work dedicated to positive housing opportunities for minors experiencing homelessness; outcomes. She is a social services Director with a proven ability access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for to improve quality, launch new programs, access a wide network community college students experiencing food insecurity; access of resources and introduce best practice. She joined the to free birth certificates for people experiencing homelessness; Lawrence Hall team in 2015 and has nearly 30 years of an increase to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families experience in child welfare in the Chicago area. In her early (TANF) grant for families; and broadening mental health services years, of her career she worked as a case manager in both for minors in need. Niya works in coalition with state partners on independent living and foster care programs. She recruited, budget related advocacy, particularly during the two-year state licensed and trained foster parents. Most of her career has been budget impasse, CCH’s advocacy helped restore millions to in a leadership role. Renee is currently a member of the Illinois homeless shelters and safety net programs and preventing Collaboration on Youth, State-wide Policy Committee. She also significant cuts to vital programs in the state budget. She is leads the state-wide LGBTQ Roundtable advocating for LGBTQ currently working on legislation to create a youth homelessness youth in care to promote safe and affirming environments. subgroup on the Governor’s office; a bill that will permit people Renee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She holds a Master of with disabilities, the elderly, and folks experiencing homelessness Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a on SNAP to buy prepared meals; a homelessness prevention Bachelors of Sociology from Western Illinois University. program clarification and eliminating the TANF full family sanction. JENNIFER LEININGER

CAROLYN LEACH Jennifer Leininger, M.Ed., (she/her) has over ten years of nonprofit Carolyn Leach has worked within experience in Chicago, including the LGBTQ youth community for adolescent programming, the past 10 years as a researcher, education, community educator, and mental health engagement, and education policy. therapist. Carolyn is a licensed Since 2009, Jennifer has provided professional counselor who youth and family-centered support currently works for Chicago House while working at Ann & Robert H. in the TransWorks employment Lurie Children's Hospital of department. She provides career Chicago. As Associate Director, counseling to transgender, non- Jennifer oversees advocacy efforts and programs within The binary, and gender nonconforming clients who are seeking Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult employment opportunities in the Chicagoland area. Carolyn Medicine including HIV testing, Training and Professional provides trainings on how become a Trans Affirming Workplace Development, TransMentor, and the Sexual Health Education to local organizations and conducts job readiness workshops for Programs. In this role, Jennifer leads Division policy and trans participants. She also runs a transgender mentorship group advocacy initiatives in schools, communities, and professional and an unemployment support group. In her spare time, Carolyn organizations. Jennifer also directs the activities of Preventing enjoys reading anything and everything and walking by the lake. Alcohol Abuse in Chicago Teens (PAACT), a multi-agency coalition convened by Lurie Children's Strengthening Chicago’s Youth (SCY) and Injury Prevention & Research Center, which addresses the prevention of alcohol use among 8th – 12th graders in the City of Chicago. In addition to her work at Lurie Children's, Jennifer has worked on youth programming with

10 other nationally recognized organizations, including the TISA MORRIS Broadway Youth Center, Howard Brown Health Center, Museum of Contemporary Art, Old Town School of Folk Music, and About Tisa Morris is the Director of Face Youth Theatre. Jennifer holds a Master of Education from Community Engagement at Cook DePaul University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Marketing County Sheriff's Department. She is and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Miami University of Ohio. an experienced litigator who has demonstrated a history of working KENNY MARTIN-OCASIO in the government administration industry. Tisa has a long history of Kenny Martin-Ocasio was born in working with the Cook County Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1963, and was State’s Attorney’s office in multiple raised in Puerto Rico. He came to units which have included, Chief of Chicago at age 18 to resume his the Juvenile Justice Bureau, Felony Trial Division, Criminal higher education and received his Appeals, Cold Case Homicide Unit, and the First Municipal Bachelor in Arts, Special Education Division. Ms. Morris was also assigned to the Domestic Violence degree from Northeastern Illinois Division of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. As a solo University in 1987, and a Master of practitioner, Ms. Morris handled a variety of matters. She was Science in Health Services previously the Chief Administrator for the Office of Professional Administration in 1999. He has worked in the area of human Standards of the Chicago Police Department. The Office of services and child welfare for over 30 years, and has dedicated Professional Standards investigated allegations of police his career to working towards the professional, social, economic, misconduct in cases of excessive force, domestic violence and and educational advancement of minorities, especially Latinos deaths in custody. Tisa graduated from DePaul University College and the LGBTQ community. He has served as president of the of Law and previously attended University of Illinois at Chicago DuPage Hispanic Task Force, co-chair of the Latino Consortium, and U of I at Urbana-Champaign. member of the Illinois Latino Agenda, the Latino Youth Action Coalition, and in the Cook County President’s Latino Advisory. CHANNYN L. PARKER For the last ten years, as a board member of the Association of Latinos(as) Motivating Action, he fights for the equal rights of the Channyn Lynne Parker is a Latino LGBT community. Kenny now serves as Senior Vice Transgender advocate, public President of Community Integration at Aunt Martha’s Health & speaker, community-centric leader Wellness. and Manager of External Relations for Howard Brown Health Center. AMANDA McMILLEN Prior to her current role, Channyn served as manager of The Broadway Amanda McMillen is the Chief Youth Center’s, Youth Development Program Officer of the Illinois Program, and manager of Chicago Collaboration on Youth (ICOY). As House Social Service Agency’s, TransLife Project (2017). Channyn, CPO, Amanda, oversees the is the first openly transgender woman to work in the Cook training, technical assistance and County Dept. of Corrections, working with populations in capacity building for providers with protective custody. Inaugural Trans 100 awardee (2013). White an emphasis in trauma, restorative House speaker, National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2015). Chicago justice, positive youth Women's March speaker (2017, 2018). Recipient of the Henrietta development, and race equity, and Lacks award, Women in Health in Chicago (2018) and Equality leads innovative projects that Illinois prestigious, Freedom Award (2019). Channyn, is quoted as enhance collaboration between saying, “Equality is the firmest pillar upon which human value partners and state institutions. In FY18, ICOY provided over 70 stands. If I am named amongst those who are ambitious, and trainings to 1500 attendees in over 500 organizations. As a maybe even crazy enough to believe that we, somehow through trained social worker with a master’s in social science our actions can leave this world a place. If I have played some administration from Case Western Reserve University, Amanda is small part in reducing the burden of injustice, then I have lived a passionate about empowerment and building equity through life well served.” strengths-based programs and systems. In her spare time Amanda loves bicycling and has developed a podcast called “Not Your Nuclear Family” to provide insight to today’s LGBTQ+ families.

KEVIN PLEASANT Masters in Social work with a concentration in Children and Families, from The University of Illinois at Chicago. She is an Kevin Pleasant currently serves as the approved trainer for Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Full Trans Housing Manager for Chicago Associate (through Cornell University), and CPR/First Aid House and Social Service Agency. instructor (through American Red Cross). She is also serves as the Kevin is responsible for assisting trans LGBTQ Service Provider trainer at Lawrence Hall. identified individuals in obtaining and maintaining housing, and provide ELENA QUINTANA, PhD referrals and linkage to medical and Elena Quintana, Ph.D. is the supportive services. He has served as Executive Director of the LGBTQ /Diversity Coordinator for Institute on Public Safety & Lawrence Hall Youth Services from Social Justice at Adler 2007-2012, Congressman Danny K University. Dr. Quintana was Davis’ 7th Congressional District HIV/AIDS Task Force, Chicago trained in both Clinical and Black Gay Men’s Caucus Executive Committee; under the Community Psychology. auspices of the Chicago Department of Public Health. He holds Currently her work entails certificates from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Northeastern creating trauma-informed Illinois HIV/AIDS Case Management Cooperative, Proceed Inc. programs, research, and events that promote socially just HIV Prevention Case Management Training, and is a certified solutions to public safety challenges. This includes work related Youth Development Practitioner receiving his certification in both to the juvenile justice system, restorative justice implementation Youth Work (Level 1 Certification) and Working with Adults and and evaluation, violence prevention, immigration policy and Communities (Level 2 Certification). Kevin received his AAS from detention reform, and addressing the mental health needs of the Harold Washington College studying Youth Social Work. Kevin incarcerated and formerly incarcerated. Dr. Quintana has served has also received his Basic and Advanced College Certificates, on the State of Illinois Commission for Criminal Justice and Social Work (Youth) from Harold Washington College. Kevin Sentencing Reform and currently serves on the Oversight Board currently serves as a partner with P&P Consulting Group. P&P for the City of Chicago Police Department Consent Decree. Consulting facilitates trainings to agencies that provide care and or services to LGBTQ youth. DEVIN REDMOND

DEBBIE PODMORE Devin is the Residential Services and Training Coordinator for Debbie Podmore is the Vice The Night Ministry. After his time President of Staff Development at Chicago Theological and Training at Lawrence Hall, Seminary, Devin has worked for where she has been for the last the last 6.5 years with The Night 20 years. She is responsible for Ministry in various roles serving overseeing the agency’s youth experiencing housing comprehensive staff instability. Before his current role development program. Debbie with TNM, he was the Program Coordinator for The Crib, an worked as a Child Care emergency overnight youth shelter where the majority of Counselor where she worked residents identified as LGBTAQ+. directly with adolescents who suffered from abuse, neglect, and trauma within a locked-residential treatment milieu, prior to ULYSSES ROSALES transitioning into Lawrence Hall as the Admissions Coordinator in 1999, where she held this position until 2006. In 2002, Debbie Ulysses Rosales is a senior attorney also assumed responsibility for the Staff Development and with the Cook County Public Training Department. During this time, she also served in a crisis Guardian’s Juvenile Division. He worker role in an emergency room, along with completing represents children in abuse and clinical work in a Chicago-based refugee agency. Debbie is a neglect cases. Ulysses serves as the member of the Training Resources and Information Network LGBTQ co-coordinator for the (TRAIN) which meets quarterly. This group consists of 10 office’s LGBTQ clients. In addition, Chicago-based agencies, with a mission to support non-profit he also serves as the Burgos co- training through collaboration, communication, resource sharing, coordinator, which provides and advocacy efforts. Debbie has a Bachelor of Science in assistance on cases involving Psychology and Biology from Ashland University (1998) and a Spanish-speaking families. Ulysses has served on the training 12 and hiring committees for the office. He presented at the National Black Child Development Institute Conference regarding juvenile court proceedings. Ulysses is a graduate of Valparaiso University Law School and Purdue University. CAROLYN WAHLSKOG

MARNA SATLAK Carolyn Wahlskog, LCSW (she/her/hers) is the Senior Program Marna Satlak is Chief of Professional Manager at 360 Youth Services’ Development and Training for the Transitional Housing Program for Illinois Department of Juvenile LGBTQ+ Youth Experiencing Justice. Marna began her career in Homelessness. Carolyn also co- Florida where, as a licensed clinical coordinates the Name Change social worker, she served as primary Mobilization through Transformative therapist for youth in residential Justice Law Project, helping trans folks facilities and then the county throughout the suburbs access name detention center. In 2001, Marna and gender marker changes and co-chairs the DuPage relocated to Philadelphia, where she Community Network: Professionals Serving LGBTQ+ youth. worked on numerous grants serving Carolyn works with schools, health and wellness providers, the Pennsylvania’s system involved youth including, serving as legal system and community spaces to shift systems and provide director of operations for Philadelphia’s Reintegration Initiative affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. and later for the Pennsylvania Academic Career Technical Training Alliance, each focused on helping youth successfully return to the community and make sustainable connections to school and work. While in Philadelphia Marna also practiced as D. D’Ontace Keyes an outpatient therapist. In 2013 Marna moved to Chicago and began working as a consultant for the Illinois Department of D'Angelo] D'Ontace Keyes advocacy Juvenile Justice, assessing their training department. A year later centers the wellness, care and diversity of she began in her current role as Chief of Professional black identities. Keyes has worked to Development and Training. Marna has also served as an adjunct amplify issues at the intersection of Black professor in the criminal justice departments of Temple and LGBTQ communities through his University in Philadelphia and Loyola University in Chicago. leadership in movements like Black LGBT Marna has maintained her license as a clinical social worker and Pride and service as a former commissioner for the also has a Ph.D. in criminal justice. Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. Currently, AIMY TIEN Keyes mobilizes digital communities towards health equity and justice as the digital communications specialist for Aimy Tien is a Colorado transplant AIDS Foundation of Chicago. He received his MBA in who fell into storytelling due to a Marketing from Thomas Jefferson University (*formerly combination of an irrational childhood fear of lions, a Val Kilmer known as Philadelphia University) and formal arts film, and an overactive imagination. education from the University of the Arts and Chicago Now a Chicago-based performer Academy for the Arts. An emerging voice for Design and writer, Aimy focuses on bringing Innovation, Keyes helps organizations design experiences the stories of people of color and that are people-first. marginalized groups to the page, stage, and screen. She is a proud company member of 2nd Story and makes art with Free Street Theater, Women of the Now, Pride Films and Plays, Collaboraction, and other Chicago-based organizations. She received a creative writing fellowship from the Luminarts Cultural Foundation. She is currently a writer-in-residence with the foundation and is working on expanding her collection, Mosaic. Previous work can be found on her Instagram, @aimytien, The Manifest-Station, WirehouseCo, The Wheel, The Character Project, and other online publications. 13

LaTonya Maley

Latonya is the Director of the Broadway Youth Center, a program of Howard Brown Health, that engages the sanctuary model centers young people who are LGBTQIA* identified and/or experiencing homelessness. She leads a team of 40 clinicians, educators, and youth workers to meet immediate social, emotional, and health needs of 12-29 year old youth. Her team aims to address systemic inequalities that LGBTQ, street-based, and youth of color survive daily through offering integrated mental health, primary care, education, employment, youth development, sexual health, and cultural arts services in a milieu setting. Her work celebrates the resilience and magic of marginalized communities and applies those qualities to improve health outcomes. Her work is guided by the frameworks of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, anti-oppression, sex/body positivity, and joyous creativity. Latonya graduated from UIC’s School of Public Health in 2012.