Sunny Hills' East Bay division, Bay Area Youth Centers, is hosting a symposium on September 16, 2009 on the experiences and needs of LGBTQ-identified youth (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) in the foster care system. Our goal is to provide a forum for foster care providers to engage with one another regarding how to increase the competency, safety and accessibility of services for LGBTQ youth. The symposium will serve as a general forum for dialogue and information sharing on topics such as risk factors, safety and community, gender expression and fluidity of identity.

A selection of presenters include:

Kevin West
Youth Keynote Speaker

Jody Marksamer, Esq.
National Center for Lesbian Rights

Nick Gorton, MD
Lyon Martin Health Center

and representatives from:
California Youth Connection
Seneca Center
Project Eden Lambda Youth Program
Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center
inVision Consulting
The Y.O.U.T.H. Training Project

Event Schedule

Informal Networking 
9:00 am - 9:30 am

Symposium
9:30 am - 4:30 pm (lunch included)

Registration Information
This symposium is offered free of charge to Bay Area providers, but advance registration is required. Register online at http://bayc.eventbrite.com or contact Emily Rankin at (510) 867-6938 or by email at emily@bayareayouthcenters.org.

This symposium is made possible through generous support provided by the Tides Foundation.