SWK X026 - Evidence-Based Practice with the LGBTQ Population
Developed in 2024 by the Behavioral Health Workforce Enhancement Training (BHWET) Grant Program, this asynchronous continuing education training equips behavioral health professionals with the knowledge and ethical framework necessary to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) clients. Participants will strengthen their understanding of advocacy, allyship, and culturally responsive practice while learning strategies to create safer, affirming spaces for LGBTQ individuals.
Delivery Options
This training is constructed as a non-interactive, hybrid reading and video-based asynchronous distance learning training.
Time to Completion
Total Asynchronous Time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Training Completion Requirements
- Participants must complete all coursework requirements and pass the training 3 quizzes at the end of each module with a score of at least 80%. Unlimited attempts are allowed.
- The post-training evaluation survey will be immediately available once the required coursework are finished, and the evaluation must be completed to receive CE credit.
Technology Requirements
- Reliable internet connection
- Recommended browsers: Google Chrome or Firefox
What You’ll Learn
- Identify and strengthen their understanding of the ethical considerations of leadership and advocacy
- Explore shared language and experiences
- Discover tools to create safer spaces, and support individual and collective growth as advocates and allies
- Describe the basics of gender and sexuality
- Examine the impact of gender pronouns when working with members of the LGBTQ community
- Explain the terminology related to the LGBTQ acronym
- Describe how each professional code(s) of ethics addresses issues of diversity including working with LGBTQ patients/clients
- Apply professional codes of ethics to work with members of the LGBTQ community
- Express an understanding of adultism
- Identify individual opportunities for application and integration
- Identify organizational opportunities for application and integration
What You’ll Earn
- Social workers completing this training will receive 2.5 cultural competence continuing education clock hours under ACE.
- This training is approved for 2.5 continuing education clock hours in ethics for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio.
- This training is approved for 2.5 continuing education clock hours for substance use treatment counselors in domain TR1 – treatment field related (renewals only) and prevention professionals in domain CC – cultural competence in prevention in the state of Ohio.
Additional Information
Development Date: October 2024
Target Audience: Social Workers and other Behavioral Health Professionals
Content Level: Beginner
Training Outline:
- Welcome to the Training
- Module 1: LGBTQ Basics
- Lesson 1: Queer Umbrella and Intersectionality
- Lesson 2: Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
- Lesson 3: Pronouns
- Lesson 4: LGBTQ Vocabulary
- Knowledge Check: Quiz to test participant understanding of the module’s content.
- Module 2: The Ethics of Being an LGBTQ Ally
- Lesson 1: Social Work Ethics
- Lesson 2: School Psychology Ethics
- Lesson 3: Nursing Ethics
- Knowledge Check: Quiz to test participant understanding of the module’s content.
- Module 3: Safer Spaces, Allyship and Cultural Responsiveness
- Lesson: Safer Spaces, Allyship and Cultural Responsiveness
- Knowledge Check: Quiz to test participant understanding of the module’s content.
- Course Wrap Up, References & Evaluation Survey
- Course Wrap Up
- References
- Course Evaluation
The BHWET Program was a four-year workforce development program funded by the federal agency Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to prepare the next generation of behavioral healthcare professionals to specialize in culturally responsive services. This interprofessional program was a collaborative initiative and included graduate students from the College of Social Work, the College of Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program), and the College of Education and Human Ecology School Psychology Program.
We recognize the critical role that culturally competent, client-centered training plays in addressing the social determinants of health that impact client wellbeing. This training integrates the principles of client-centered care with an understanding of all clients’ cultural backgrounds, including their values, traditions, languages, socioeconomic conditions, religious beliefs, and lived experiences. In compliance with Senate Bill 1, the College of Social Work’s continuing education office will continue to provide programming that focuses on ensuring access and opportunity for all, teaches about a wide variety of lived experiences, emphasizes professional integrity and ethical practice, and strives to build supportive communities for everyone. We are committed to upholding the principles of the College of Social Work and the social work field while aligning with the new legal framework.
Instructors
Erin Upchurch, MSSA, LISW-S
Executive Director, Kaleidoscope Youth Center
Erin Upchurch (she/her) is an integrative social work practitioner, nonprofit leader, and somatic therapist. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Youth Center, which serves and supports LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Upchurch is a frequent speaker and facilitator in areas of leadership and organizational development, trauma recovery, and Transformative Justice as a framework for community and organizational practice. She is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor, End of Life Doula, and in 2024 was honored as a YWCA Woman of Achievement.
Jorie Schwartz, MSW, LISW-S
Associate Professor, Columbus State Community College Social Work & Human Services Program
Jorie Schwartz (she/her) has been a licensed social worker in Columbus for more than 25 years. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University. She has worked in community mental health and school-based prevention, and for the past 11 years, has taught at Columbus State Community College and served as a Community Lecturer for The Ohio State University College of Social Work.
Angela Fry, MSW, LISW-S
Professor, Columbus State Community College Social Work & Human Services Program
Angela Fry (she/her) graduated from The Ohio State University with a BSSW and MSW. She has worked at several agencies in Columbus, Ohio, with much of her work focused on trauma and abuse, domestic violence services, clinical supervision, foster care, and counseling. She currently serves as a Professor in the Social Work & Human Services program at Columbus State Community College.
Continuing Education Approvals
The Ohio State University College of Social Work (Provider: 1628) is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Ohio State University College of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 4/30/25–4/30/28. Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 cultural competence continuing education credits.
The Ohio State University College of Social Work provides approvals for continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists that are accepted by the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.
The Ohio State University College of Social Work has been approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (CDP) Board as a provider of Continuing Education, approval number: 50-24068.
Certificates & CE Reporting
CE certificates will be available for download in your learner portal within 1 business day after submitting the evaluation survey.
Hours for those with Ohio licenses that are submitted with the evaluation survey will be reported to CE Broker every 14 days (twice per month).
⚠️ Note: You may only complete this training once for CE credit. You may revisit the content, but only one certificate will be issued and credit will only be reported to CE Broker one time.
Cancellations, Refunds, Grievances, Accessibility Requests & Learning
Please visit the Policies section of our website for more information on our processes for cancellations, refunds, grievances, training completions & certificates, participant conduct, and accessibility requests and learning accommodations.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require an accommodation to participate in this training, please contact CSW Accessibility as early as possible and in advance of the training start date by email at csw-accessibility@osu.edu or call 614-688-1657. Requests received at least 14 days prior to the date you plan to begin a training will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the College will make every effort to meet requests that we receive regardless of lead time.
Contact Us
For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or training records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the continuing education team at CSWCE@osu.edu. For questions related to the training content, our office will facilitate communication with the training instructor on your behalf and connect you, if applicable.
Email: cswce@osu.edu