Empowering Providers Serving Gender-Diverse Youth
Recently, provincial governments across Canada have been announcing and enacting changes to laws affecting the health and well-being of gender-diverse youth.
These legislative changes have increased the demand for evidence-based information on how best to support these youth, their families, and their communities. In particular, those working in the social, education, and public sectors are looking for research and resources to guide their work.
Recognizing this need, we at PolicyWise for Children & Families are proud to launch the Empowering Providers initiative. We are known for providing research, resources, and evidence-based information to support the social-serving sector so that they can make wise decisions. By providing the sector with the data and knowledge they need, we are contributing to a world where children, families, and communities thrive.
This initiative has two components. First, we explored potential gaps in information that may help those whose work focuses on the health and well-being of gender-diverse youth. Community non-profits and thought leaders indicated that caregivers of gender-diverse youth are underserved. They need information to help them support their gender-diverse youth. In the section below, you will find resources based on this exploration. We have created three guides focused on the gender transition journey in Alberta.
We have also provided resources from trusted sources for social-serving providers whose clients include gender-diverse youth. You can find these resources on our Resources for Practice website. This website shares a curated collection of resources from PolicyWise and other social-serving organizations. These resources are freely available for anyone to use and share.
Project Team
Research and Resources: Jonah Elke, Amrit Matharoo, Sarah Andrews, and Rachel Carr
Resources for Practice: Joud Nour Eddin, Courtney Lundy, and Shannon McInnes
Resources to Support Gender-Diverse Youth and Their Families
Gender transition is the process of changing one’s gender. The journey of gender transition includes many parts, such as social, legal, and medical changes.
It can be hard for families of Two Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth to navigate the available information and services. We have created a series of guides to support service providers as they help youth and their caregivers in Alberta. Service providers can direct caregivers to the services and information linked in these guides or provide them with the guides themselves.
While these guides offer helpful information and tools, keep in mind that each family is unique and not all resources will apply to everyone. Because laws and services change, seeking current information from local organizations, legal experts, and health care professionals is important.
These guides are not a substitute for professional legal or medical advice. Instead, they give service providers knowledge and tools to support Two Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth and their caregivers.
Affirming Youth Through Social & Legal Transition (Dec. 2024)
This guide covers social transition, like changing names and pronouns, and legal transition, like updating identity documents. It includes research, legal information, and experiences of caregivers of Two Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth.
Accessing Medical Gender-Affirming Care (Dec. 2024)
This guide covers medical aspects of gender transition, like hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. It includes research, medical information, and experiences of caregivers of Two Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth.
Supporting Mental Health While Transitioning (Dec. 2024)
This guide covers ways service providers can support the mental health of Two Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth and their caregivers. It includes research, mental health information, and experiences of caregivers of these youth.
Youth and Caregiver Acknowledgment
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the youth and caregivers who generously shared their experiences navigating the joys and challenges of gender transition in Alberta.
To the youth, we are deeply grateful for the candid glimpse into your lives through the artwork you created. It has shaped and brought life to this initiative. Thank you for your courage, creativity, and willingness to share your journey with us.
To the caregivers, we thank you for the invaluable insights into your pivotal role as supportive and affirming adults in the lives of your youth. Your perspectives have enriched this initiative. They highlight the profound impact of love, resilience, and advocacy.
Thought Leader and Service Providers Acknowledgment
We sincerely thank the thought leaders and service providers who generously shared their time, insights, and experiences with us about supporting gender-diverse youth and their caregivers.
We are deeply inspired by the important work you are doing on the frontlines to support youth across Alberta. Your expertise and dedication helped shape this initiative and your contributions are invaluable. We are grateful for your ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and affirming future.
