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TRAININGS:

The Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI) at OCASI is excited to announce 16 hours of facilitator lead training that addresses all components of service delivery within the Settlement Services for the  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans., Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) communities.   Now in its third phase the PSI continues to be funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). OCASI is seeking agencies that serve or have an interest in serving LGBTQ newcomers to participate in these exciting new trainings which are FREE-OF-CHARGE!

Where do the trainings take place?

Your agency hosts the trainings and the PSI provides all of the necessary training materials.

What are the trainings?

Module 1:

This module focuses on understanding the particular needs and realities of LGBTQ newcomers; and is appropriate if you are in the beginning phases of creating Positive Spaces in your agency.

Module 2:

Focuses on deepening awareness and knowledge from the first module while building on any other training you may have undergone at an organizational and/or individual level; and using this synthesis of information to create organizational standards and best practices for LGBTQ service provision for newcomers within your agency. This module is appropriate if you are creating positive spaces within your professional environment and have continuously participated in similar trainings at all levels of your agency.

-NEW -Module 3:

Using the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) as a framework this newly designed training is specifically designed for management and is intended to raise awareness about access as a human right and support decision makers in creating and supporting organizational changes. Through practical work and discussion managers and board members will be better prepared for some of the staff resistance that can hamper organizational changes and present challenges.

-NEW - Module 4:

The last training module invites participants to engage in an honest and thoughtful discussion of LGBTQ issues and they will leave this session with resources as well as relevant models of good practice. Using detailed case-studies based on real-life examples, participants will gain a fuller understanding of the various dimensions of transnational LGBTQ lives and communities.

How long are the trainings?

Modules 1- 4 are a total of 16 hours, each session runs for 4 hours.

How are the trainings organized?  The PSI will book one training per day which will allow participants the necessary time to process the information which might be very new for some.

These workshops are a component of the PSI at OCASI and meant to enhance organizational capacity-building. Positive Spaces are welcoming environments where LGBTQ newcomers are able to access culturally inclusive services with dignity and respect and where service providers can work free from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. LGBTQ newcomers are an integral, though often invisible, part of immigrant and refugee communities as well as LGBTQ communities. Everyone can work to create Positive Spaces by challenging homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism and by becoming an ally

NEW FOR 2012

E-Learning Modules  have been launched these  self-directed online trainings have been designed to assist the immigrant and refugee serving sector effectively serve LGBTQ communities; as well as raise awareness of LGBTQ issues affecting the Settlement Services Sector.

The trainings consist of 4 e-learning modules that can stand alone but can also be viewed as enhancing the face-to-face trainings currently provided by OCASI:

Module 1: Terminology and Language – Creating Positive Spaces 

Module 2: Intersecting Identities & Oppressions. Positive & Negative Spaces

Module 3: Accessing Settlement Services as a Human Right

Module 4: Open Space - Understanding LGBTQ issues within Settlement Services

Please, join us online at http://learnatwork.ca/ to actively participate in these exciting new free- of- charge trainings.