Welcoming Frederick is a one-day seminar for professionals in the fields of education, medicine, mental health, social services, law enforcement, human resources, and allied professions to learn about, discuss, and create action plans to be more affirming to LGBTQ students, patients, clients, and colleagues. Family members of LGBTQ children and relatives will also find Welcoming Frederick a safe space to gain important knowledge that can make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ family members. Continuing education credits as below. Date & Location for 2018 Welcoming Frederick will be at Hood College Whitaker Campus Center on Saturday May 5, 2018. Check-in begins at 7:30am, the conference runs from 8:30am to 5:00pm. The college is located at 401 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, Maryland, 21701. 2018 PROGRAM (as of 4/9/2018) (new download program PDF here) Participants will:
Onsite FreeState Justice Free Legal Clinic: Thirty minute consultations with an attorney or paralegal are available to receive information on legal matters arising out of LGBTQ status including the legal name change process & how to update your name & gender on identity documents. If you need assistance with obtaining a name change or identity documents, please bring any identity documents you currently have, such as a state ID, birth certificate, or passport, & information about any medical or social services providers you currently see. 2018 PROGRAM
2018 Welcoming Frederick Biographies Laura DePalma Laura DePalma is a Staff Attorney at FreeState Justice, a statewide direct legal services and policy advocacy organization serving low- income LGBTQ Marylanders. Laura represents clients in a wide-range of civil legal matters, including name change and gender identity petitions, family law cases, anti-discrimination matters, and actions regarding access to transition-related health care. Additionally, Laura manages FreeState Justice’s Pro Bono Panel, recruiting, training, and mentoring attorneys on how to effectively represent members of the LGBTQ community. Laura also heads up FreeState’s police reform efforts as Co-Chair of the Baltimore Police Commissioner’s LGBT Advisory Council, and advocates for law enforcement accountability at the highest levels of the Baltimore Police Department. Missy Dirks Missy Dirks is an elementary Visual Arts teacher and the President of the Frederick County Teachers Association. She is a veteran educator with 21 years of experience in Frederick County Public Schools. As President, she helps facilitate the work of the LGBT+ Subcommittee in supporting welcoming schools for all educators and their students. Deborah Dunn, PAC, MBA Position: Trans Health Coordinator: LGBT Resource Center for Chase Brexton Health Service: provide leadership and coordination of care of transgendered – identified patients. Establish best practices for medical trans care, and to train other medical providers. Provide consultation to external organizations regarding trans- related education, including employee transition. Provide state advocacy as needed. Identify research and funding opportunities related to trans care.
Kris Fair A lifelong Frederick County resident, graduating from Linganore High School in 2002, Frederick Community College in 2008 and Hood College in 2012. He has worked on civil rights and community involvement challenges for the last seventeen years. Kris has assisted organizations including The Frederick Arts Council, The Frederick Center, Marylanders for Marriage Equality, The Greater Frederick Advertising Federation, Frederick County Democratic Party and Weinberg Center for the Arts. Kris was recently awarded the Community Foundation’s Wertheimer award for excellence in volunteerism and was named the 2015 volunteer of the year by the Frederick County Democratic Party. Additionally, Kris recently completed a three year tenure as director of The Frederick Festival of the Arts and Frederick Pride. Jennifer Kent Jennifer L. Kent is the Managing Attorney of FreeState Justice. As Managing Attorney, Jennifer supervises and conducts FreeState’s in-house litigation program, bringing cases to vindicate LGBT Marylanders’ hard-won civil rights and engaging in strategic advocacy to expand access to justice for the LGBT community. Jennifer brings a wide array of experience to FreeState Justice, including serving as one of its volunteer attorneys. Prior to joining FreeState, Jennifer spent seven years in private practice representing victims of terrorism and civil rights abuses. Since 2013 she has taught Maryland Civil Procedure at the University of Baltimore School of Law. After graduating Florida State University magna cum laude, she worked on human rights issues in Albania and England for the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. Jennifer graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law where she was a board member of the Florida Law Review. Jennifer is admitted to practice in all Maryland state courts, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Jabari Lyles Jabari Lyles has over 10 years of experience working in various positions that emphasize his passion for education, community organizing and social justice activism. As executive director of GLSEN Maryland, he coordinates the chapter's programming in schools all across the State of Maryland. He is the former Acting Executive Director and Board President of GLCCB, Baltimore's LGBTQ community center, has worked with FreeState Justice as an Outreach Specialist and Program Coordinator, and has years of experience as a public school teacher and speaker in Baltimore City. Jabari has presented on LGBTQ issues locally, statewide and nationally. He is involved with a number of workgroups and coalitions in Maryland working towards positive outcomes for youth most at-risk. Jabari is a Maryland native and currently lives in the Reservoir Hill neighborhood of Baltimore City. Kate MacShane Kate MacShane, M.Ed, MSW, LGSW, is a clinical social worker and former public school special educator. Kate has a private therapy practice in Frederick, MD, where she provides affirmative psychotherapy to gender-diverse children, teens, adults, and their families. She is also the facilitator of the Frederick Center's TransFamily support group for caregivers of gender-diverse youth. Kate is a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health. Clare Madrigal Clare Madrigal, RN has been an Emergency Room nurse for 11 years. Clare is the LGBTQ Resource Nurse and LGBTQ Committee Chair of Sibley Memorial Hospital- a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine. She also works at Frederick Memorial Hospital, in the Emergency Department. Previously living in Miami, Clare volunteered with several LGBTQ organizations including Equality Florida, SAVE and Aqua Foundation for LBT women. Clare currently lives in Frederick with her wife and dog. Meredith McAdam Meredith McAdam, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Frederick Therapy, LLC. Meredith has been in private practice in downtown Frederick for over ten years. Meredith studied at Towson University where she received a bachelors in Psychology, and graduated from University of MD School of Social Work with her Masters degree. After graduating from U of MD Meredith started at U of MD Hospital OB and pediatric AIDS clinic helping parents access drug treatment. Meredith then moved to Carroll County Family and Children's Services (CCFCS) where she gained a solid foundation with individual and couples therapy. After CCFCS Meredith moved to private practice where she specializes in couples, grief and loss, recovery, narcissism and partners of narcissists. In addition to these specialties she has been treating and advocating for the LGBTQ, polyamorous, and non-traditional relationship communities. Lisa Algazi Marcus Dr. Lisa Marcus has been a professor of French and Women's and Gender Studies at Hood College since 1994. Lisa became involved with the Frederick Center after her teenage son came out as transgender and serves as an advocate and a resource for trans youth and their parents both at Hood and in the Frederick area, as well as volunteering at Frederick Pride. She was named Ally of the Year for 2016 by the Frederick Center. Em Perper Em Perper has been on the board of The Frederick Center since March 2016 and is now head of The Frederick Center's Outreach Committee, organizing LGBTQ 101 presentations, tabling at community events, and much more. Em also serves on TFC's Youth Services Committee. In 2012, Em graduated from Grove City College, ranked by Princeton Review as one of the most "LGBT-unfriendly" colleges in the United States. After graduation, Em facilitated interfaith dialogue at Chautauqua Institution as a leader of the Abrahamic Program for Young Adults (APYA), then moved to Baltimore to live in intentional community with ten other Millennials and work for Episcopal Service Corps (ESC). Em relocated to the Frederick area in 2013, honing their organization and communication skills as a contractor for the National Institutes of Health. Today, in addition to their work for The Frederick Center, Em is a freelance writer and editor, a company member with Maryland Ensemble Theatre, and a bookseller at Curious Iguana, downtown Frederick's independent bookstore. They are a contributing editor at Longreads, writing often about gender, sexuality, religion and identity. They live in downtown Frederick with their partner. Jeffrey Poirier Jeffrey Poirier, PhD, is a Senior Research Associate in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Research, Evaluation, Evidence and Data Unit. Dr. Poirier works closely with the Foundation’s Child Welfare Strategy Group, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, and Juvenile Justice Strategy Group. He serves as a thought partner, conceptualizing and managing research and evaluation investments. He also works on issues related to education and employment opportunities for opportunity youth and is co-leading Casey’s role in the Adolescent Science Translation Funders Collaborative. Previously he was at the American Institutes for Research for more than 15 years where he conducted research and evaluation and synthesized research to develop products for the field. He also delivered training and technical assistance around the U.S. to improve systems, services, and outcomes for LGBTQ youth. His work has addressed issues related to adolescent development, behavioral health, child welfare, cultural and linguistic competence, education, homelessness, juvenile justice, and youth well-being. Dr. Poirier serves as an adjunct professorial lecturer in American University’s Department of Public Administration and Policy. He is coeditor of an upcoming Child Welfare League of America journal special issue on LGBTQ youth. He is also coeditor of a 2012 book, Improving Emotional and Behavioral Outcomes for LGBT Youth: A Guide for Professionals. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and his graduate studies at The George Washington University. Mark Procopio Coming out as gay as a teenager in Central New York and as an educator in Baltimore City, Mark Procopio experienced and witnessed the impact of systemic inequality and structural bias. His experience as a middle school teacher in Baltimore City stoked his passion and commitment to working with communities to achieve equality, access, and opportunity for all people regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. His career has focused on building partnerships, marshaling resources, and improving sustainability with social justice oriented education non-profits. Prior to joining FreeState Justice, Procopio held several roles with KIPP Baltimore which serves 1,500 students in the Greater Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore City. KIPP is a national network of college preparatory, public charter schools. Most recently, he served as Interim Director of Operations. Previously, he led the fundraising, community organizing, advocacy, marketing, and communications work for the organization. Before his time at KIPP, Procopio managed organizational fundraising and partnerships for the Teach For America - Baltimore region. Procopio holds a degree in International Economics and International Finance from The Catholic University of America and is an alumnus of Teach For America, an AmeriCorps program. He and his fiancé, Chris, live in Fells Point. Nicola van Kuilenburg Nicola van Kuilenburg is an MSEA UniServ Director and the proud mother of a transgender high school student. She works with the Frederick County Teachers Association where she helps facilitate the LGBT+ sub-committee in addition to her other UniServ duties. In her free time Nicola is an activist for transgender rights and sits on the National Center for Transgender Equality’s (NCTE) Parents for Transgender Equality Council. ![]() Registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. We are approved for 7 Social Work CEUs, 6.8 AACN CEUs, and 1 MSDE credit; our CME request is pending (as of 4/9/2018). ======== ACCREDITATION STATEMENT Frederick Memorial Hospital is accredited by MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. DESIGNATION STATEMENT Frederick Memorial Hospital designates this educational activity for a maximum of ( ) AMA PRA Category I Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity Sponsored by the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration’s Office of Workforce Development and Training The Office of Workforce Development and Training is authorized by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to sponsor continuing education programs for Category A CEU, the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to sponsor social work continuing education programs for Category I CEU, the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the Maryland Association of Prevention Professionals & Advocates to sponsor continuing education programs for CEU. Participants must attend all hours of the training and submit an evaluation to receive a certificate. The Office of Workforce Development and Training maintains full responsibility for this program. ACCREDITATION STATEMENT Welcoming Frederick is a continuing nursing education activity approved for 6.8 contact hours by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission of Accreditation. ======== welcomingfrederick@thefrederickcenter.org The Frederick Center: IRS 501(c)(3) Status (46-1705400 effective Apr 5, 2013)
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