Supporting Trans*Studen

ts in Santa Clara County

Anthony Ross Outlet Program Director

Adolescent Counseling Services

Background

• Trans* and Transgender are umbrella terms• when one’s gender identity does not match

their sex assigned at birth

• This is a population at extreme risk of bullying, harassment, assault, rejection• Self Harm• Drug / alcohol abuse• Homelessness

• Safe and Welcoming school climate is critical

AB 1266

• School Success and Opportunity Act

• Affirms students’ rights to: • access facilities• participate in programs & activities

…on the basis of their gender identity

• Effective Jan 1, 2014

Santa Clara County Focus

• Community grassroots working group

• Goals• Work collaboratively with County Office and School

Districts• Help ensure smooth implementation of the law• Promote best practices

• Support, Resources & Guidance on• Policy• Training• Information Systems• Student & family services

Policy

• Effective Policies in practice• LA Unified• SF Unified• Berkeley Unified

• Model Policies• CSBA Model

Training

• Who to train• All District Personnel• Parent Education• Students

• Community Resources• Project Outlet• The LGBTQ Youth Space• Gender Spectrum

Information Systems

• Why it is important• Protecting student’s privacy

• Complexities• Legal and preferred Name and Gender Marker• State reporting requirements • Auxiliary systems (library, meals, bus, etc)

• Approaches• Short term workarounds• Long term solutions

• Vendors need to hear from school districts

Personal Story

Sara Armstrong

Next Steps

• Anthony Ross – Outlet Program Director• www.projectoutlet.org• anthony@acs-teens.org• 650.424.0852

• Future Events• County Symposium on Implementation