1. Assessing and Counseling Clients Prior to Genital Affirmation SurgeryΦ - Behavioral Health Track
Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, MPH, LICSW & Ruben Hopwood, MDiv, PhD 

This workshop will teach behavioral health providers what they need to know about assessing and counseling clients prior to genital affirmation surgery. It will discuss the letter requirements but also issues around fertility, sexuality, and coping.

- Describe the basic types of genital affirmation surgery and their fertility implications
- Determine whether patients interested in genital affirmation surgery are ready to start the referral process
- Describe how various social and behavioral factors may affect patient readiness for surgery
 

2. Contraception and Care of Pregnancy in the Transmasculine and Nonbinary PatientΨ - Medical Track
Beth Cronin, MD

During the course of this presentation we will cover available contraception options for transmasculine and nonbinary individuals, including efficacy, potential contraindications, and side effects. We will also discuss management of conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-delivery care.

- Adequately counsel any patient on contraception options and potential side effects.
- Understand steps for preconception planning, locally available resources, and financial considerations.
- Discuss best practices for supporting a transmasculine or nonbinary individual through achieving pregnancy, prenatal care, birth, and the post-delivery period.
 

3. Informed Consent: This Person is Radical - Medical Track and Behavioral Health Track
Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW-R

The Informed Consent treatment philosophy for transgender and gender nonbinary clients steadfastly affirms that that body autonomy is a fundamental human right, but it is far more complex than “hormones/surgery on demand”.  Few know its roots or how truly innovative a philosophy of care it actually is. What are its’ deeper implications?  What are its’ strengths, limits, and complexities?  To what are we attesting when we sign letters?  How does Informed Consent provide the opportunity for our clients to pursue lifestyles and identities of their own choosing, whether traditional or radical? This workshop offers a trans-positive, client-centered framework within which providers can conceptualize their treatment of trans and gender nonconforming clients - a model that remains true to the principles of client centered care.  This workshop provides an overview of the history of transgender care, placing the WPATH Standards of Care and Informed Consent within the context of LGBTQ+ activism and a restructuring of the power dynamic between client and practitioner, and features an examination of the nuances and practical applications of the Informed Consent treatment philosophy.  It also provides an in-depth tutorial on letter writing to authorize medical interventions including hormone and surgical treatments. This workshop is intended to aid clinicians in providing thoughtful care as well as to help them be both more confident and more compliant in their treatment of this vulnerable population.

- Apply Informed Consent philosophies of care to their work with transgender and gender nonbinary individuals.
- Distinguish between the Standards of Care and Informed Consent philosophies of care.
- Construct WPATH-compliant letters authorizing medical interventions for their trans and gender nonbinary clients

4. Optimizing the Health of Transgender Populations: Research Findings & Best Practices for Engaging Transgender Communities in Research - Public Health Track, Behavioral Health Track, Medical Track
Jaclyn White Hughto, PhD, MPH & Matthew J. Mimiaga, ScD, MPH & Don Operario, PhD & Ryan Segur, ScB & Theresa I. Shireman, PhD, MS

The workshop will discuss best practices for engaging transgender communities in public health research. Key findings from recently completed HIV prevention, sexual health, and correctional health studies with transgender populations will be presented, followed by an interactive Q & A.

- Understand the importance of engaging community members in research with transgender populations
- Identify best practices for conducting research with transgender communities
- Gather knowledge on innovative community-based research to enhance the health of transgender populations in Rhode Island and beyond