Queer Parent Support Group Facilitator Training

Perinatal Support Washington and Maia Midwifery & Fertility are teaming up to provide a comprehensive support group facilitator training! 

This two part training is designed to teach support group facilitators how to create and run a trauma informed peer support space and how to create congruent content that meets the needs of LGBTQ+ parents.  Funding is available for King Co providers to attend the 2.5 day Group Peer Support training as well as the 1 day Queer Parent Support Group Facilitator Training. If you have already participated in a Group Peer Support training, you are welcome to apply for the 1 day advanced training only.  This training is open to professionals working with Queer/LGBTQIA+ individuals.  Support group facilitators can be from a range of backgrounds including peers with lived experience, birth professionals, midwives, home visitors, therapists, and more.  

This two part training includes the following learning components: 

1. Attendance at a Group Peer Support (GPS) Facilitator Training or equivalent training
2. Attendance at the Queer Parent Support Group Facilitator Training

Date and Time: March 1, 9-5pm PST

Presenters: Liam Kali, LM  and Brandynicole Brooks, PhD, LICSW, LCSW, PMH-C

Location: Zoom

Learning Objectives:

• Increase confidence in facilitating perinatal groups for LGBTQIA parents
• Increase awareness of common emotional health concerns for LGBTQIA parents
• Increase knowledge of common parenting experience of LGBTQIA parents.

Continuing Education Information:

• 6.5 CEUs pending for LICWs, LMHCs, and LMFTs.
• 6.5 Contact hours available for RNs
• Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17084 for 6.5 contact hours

Cost:

FREE for King County Providers through Best Starts for Kids.

Limited scholarships available for Non-King County providers.

$350 General Registration
$315 PS-WA Member
$200 Current PS-WA Volunteer

There are very limited amount of spots available.  If the training is full please add yourself to the waitlist and we will do our best to get everyone in.

Scholarship and Funding information:

Through Best Starts for Kids,  Providers located in King Co may take this training free of charge.

Limited Scholarships available for WA state providers, outside of King co,  who meet the following requirements:

1. Work within Queer/LGBTQIA+ community 
2. Have concrete plans to start a group within 6 months

Full and partial scholarships are available. Applications will be reviewed beginning Jan 5th for those applying for both the GPS training and advanced 1 day training. For the advanced 1 day training, the deadline to apply is Feb 8th and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

• King County providers, please follow this link to the application.
• Non-King County providers, please follow this link to the application. 

REGISTER NOW

This is a live virtual training and a recording will not be sent out after the training, please only register if you are able to attend the training in its entirety.

Questions regarding the training, please email: Mia.Edidin@perintalsupport.org 

Liam Kali (he/they), Licensed Midwife, is an authoritative resource on LGBTQ+ family building, therapeutic donor insemination, and gender inclusive reproductive care. He is the author of Queer Conception: The Complete Fertility Guide for Queer and Trans Parents-to-be. In private practice at Maia Midwifery & Fertility Services PLLC, Liam provides fertility consultations across the US and internationally, as well as clinic and home based insemination services in Seattle, Washington. Liam attended over 600 births in community based settings before retiring from catching babies, and he continues to provide adjunct care to LGBTQ+ and solo parent families through online support groups, childbirth education, and a comprehensive, four-trimester LGBTQ+ Pregnancy and Parenting Program. Liam also teaches an advanced level CME training for midwives in Therapeutic Donor Insemination. Liam’s current policy work includes the US Office of Population Affairs sponsored Quality Family Planning 2.0 Expert Working Group and co-authorship of the forthcoming Practice Committee of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine “Fertility Care and Family Building for LGBTQ+ Individuals”. Liam is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Seattle Tacoma Area Reproductive Society. Liam has been featured in various media outlets such as Parents Magazine, The Seattle Times, The Queer Family Podcast, Just Between Us, The Intersectional Fertility Podcast, and If These Ovaries Could Talk. Liam is a parent of four grown children and one calico cat.

Brandynicole Brooks, PhD, LICSW, LCSW, PMH-C

I am a compassionate, committed, and devoted Clinical Social Worker who strives each day to improve the lives of the various populations I partner with. I find fulfillment in social work practice with children, youth and their families. Brandynicole started leading support groups in August 2011 and has facilitated several groups for Postpartum Support International including,  Black Moms Connect, LGBTQ/Queer Families, and Black Moms in Loss.  Read more about Brandynicole at www.drbrandynicole.com.

Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA), is a statewide non-profit committed to shining a light on perinatal mental health to support all families and communities. We support people in the emotional transition to parenthood, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, loss, infertility, trauma, and more. Find out what’s new at Perinatal Support Washington.