Rainbow Health Ontario provides training and education to improve the accessibility and quality of health care services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in Ontario. We offer a range of services to assist organizations and groups in developing cultural competency with regards to diverse LGBT communities, including:
• Conferences and Seminars
We participate in the delivery of conference workshops, keynote lectures or panel presentations that address LGBT health issues. We also participate as exhibitors at conferences, health fairs and community events where we provide informal education about our services and LGBT health issues.
• Classroom Presentations
We provide educational presentations on LGBT health issues to high school, college and university students in health and social issue classes.
• Training Resources
The RHO Resource Database features a variety of LGBT health resources, including training manuals, curricula, clinical guidelines and other resources designed to educate health and social service providers. To search the database, please click here.
• Trainer Database
The RHO Trainer Database features profiles of independent trainers who provide LGBT education and training across Ontario. To find a trainer near you, please click here.
• CME Clinical Sessions
RHO offers 4 clinical sessions that meet the accreditation criteria of The College of Family Physicians of Canada. Each session has been accredited by the Ontario Chapter for up to 1.5 Mainpro-M1 credits. For more details, please click here.
• LGBT Training Sessions
RHO’s training and education sessions are designed to assist health care and social service providers in providing equitable and comprehensive services to LGBT people. These training sessions can be tailored and custom designed to different audiences including front-line staff, mental health workers, counselors, management or board directors and volunteers.
Rainbow Health Ontario encourages all participants to attend Introduction to LGBT and Health Needs as a prerequisite to other RHO trainings. The introductory workshop will provide a sound foundation to understand and grasp the terminology, complexity of barriers and challenges for LGBT persons to access comprehensive health care. The trainings are designed for staff and/or volunteers who work in community based organization, educational institutions, recreational, residential and health care facilities.
Fees: Most of the education and trainings session by RHO staff are offered on a cost recovery basis. RHO appreciates, if the cost of photocopies of materials and travel is reimbursed. Independent trainers are paid as per training session.
RHO requires a minimum of 10 attendees at any training session. All training sessions are a minumum of 2 hours. We currently offer the following workshops:
1. Introduction to LGBT and Health Needs
The interactive workshop provides an overview of LGBT in North America and a global perspective. The session addresses the myths and stereotypes, history of LGBT, assumptions, exploring the differences between sexual behavior versus sexual orientation and health disparities affecting LGBT communities. The participants will explore various LGBT terms and definitions, case scenarios and the impact of homo/bi/trans phobia on health. Participants will learn of culturally competent practices and how to provide good care. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff
2. Introduction to LGBT Emotional and Mental Health
Canadian studies show that LGBT people report higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, poorer self-perceived mental health status, and higher rates of lifetime suicidality relative to heterosexuals. Furthermore, there is evidence to show that substance use may be higher in LGBT communities, and that patterns of use are different. This workshop explores how social stigma and discrimination can affect LGBT people's mental and emotional health, including how external negative situations become internalized and how unhealthy coping strategies can develop. Participants will also learn about practical and psychological supports that can protect the individual and promote resilience. Presentation, interactive exercises and case studies will provide participants with evidence-based learning, new strategies and skills. This workshop is for health and social service professionals; it is not focused on psychotherapy practice. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff
3. The Joy of Gender
The Joy of Gender is a lively and thought-provoking workshop that prepares service providers to understand and embrace work with trans people. Transgender experience is presented as an ordinary, if unusual, aspect of human diversity. Participants will gain an appreciation of the historical and cross-cultural contexts of trans people's lives as well as current international efforts by trans communities as they reach for visibility, human rights, and access to health care on their own terms. Presented by independent trainer
4. LGBT Seniors and Health Needs
The workshop explores the impact of aging and LGBT. The session addresses their challenges growing up in an era when it was criminal to be LGBT, the experiences of LGBT seniors navigating the health care system and the lack of sensitive services for senior LGBT. Participants will learn of the societal factors that impact LGBT seniors and how to improve services, provide sensitive and competent health care to the invisible population. Explore the steps to create an LGBT-positive environment in long-term care homes for seniors. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff and independent trainers.
5. Removing the Barriers: Making your Organization LGBT-Positive
The workshop uses an anti-oppression/anti-racism framework to examine the process of developing organizational sensitivity and responsiveness to diverse LGBT communities. The session addresses creating a positive and welcoming work environment for both LGBT staff and clients. The interactive workshop will explore various stratedies such as specific programs, HR policies, community consultation and LGBT representation in organizations. The workshop will address steps at board level, management, front-line to volunteer to provide and deliver equitable services and access for LGBT communities. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff.
For more information on training sessions or to request a training:
If you have questions on training and education, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions on Education and Training at, http://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/training/RHOtraining/faq.cfm
For all training enquiries contact Education Coordinator, Devan Nambiar at, dnambiar@rainbowhealthontario.ca or 416-321-4100 ext. 5262
