Envision:You will surely have all the more momentum to help members of Colorado’s LGBTQ community; The Caring for Denver Foundation awarded the initiative a grant to expand its Behavioral Health Provider Training Program.
The $130,487 grant, over 24 months, will fund development of four training modules to address the specific needs of LGBTQ youth, older adults, people of color, and transgender and nonbinary people. The modules will be added to the foundational and advanced courses for behavioral providers and focus on the unique experiences and needs these groups face.
Envision:You looks to support and empower members of Colorado’s LGBTQ community living with a mental health or substance use disorder, addressing the deep roots and complex solutions involved in improving the mental health of the state’s LGBTQ community.
“Being treated by a provider who doesn’t understand diverse sexual and gender identities may cause more harm than good,” says Steven Haden, CEO of Envision:You. “We want to make sure that everyone from all walks of life who identify as queer has access to culturally affirming care to help them heal emotionally. Through this Caring for Denver grant, we will expand our training program to give providers the tools they need to create safe spaces for all LGBTQ+ individuals.”
The LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Provider Training Program launched in February 2021 as a multi-phase, in-person, and online training program, designed for therapists to gain an understanding of cultural relevance and create affirming, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ clients in a behavioral health setting. More than 300 psychologists, social workers, counselors, and peer specialists have taken the 75-minute online fundamentals coursing, with 150 completing the nine-hour advanced training.
“We need to do better for those with mental health and substance misuse needs,” says Lorez Meinhold, executive director for Caring for Denver Foundation. “Envision:You’s innovative and community-centered solutions to raise awareness and provide culturally affirming care will make a meaningful difference to the LGBTQ+ community in Denver.”
