Foundry Comox Valley – John Howard Society North Island

1) Are the forms used in your practice inclusive of various sexual orientations and gender identities (e.g. opportunities to fill in different pronouns etc.)?
We strive to ensure inclusivity for queer folks, our intake page includes space for
gender identity and pronouns to be given

2) Do you collect and use preferred names (rather than legal names) for all
communications? Yes

3) Do you and your colleagues have experience providing services that support clients with navigating gender dysphoria*? *TransCareBC describes gender dysphoria as a term "intended to describe the distress some trans people experience with relation to their gender identity, particularly if they would like to transition but have not yet done so." Yes

4) Please tell us how equipped you feel to support a client in determining if/when their mental health symptoms are related to their gender-related experiences or other factors? Well equipped, and treat is as an ongoing exploration/discussion that is client experience centered.

5) Do you/your colleagues understand the difference between gender dysphoria and mental health conditions/symptoms that are unrelated to gender dysphoria or distress? Yes and we are able to consult with Foundry Central office for more supports in this realm as needed as well as TransCare BC trainings/consults

6) Do you and your colleagues have experience working with people who identify as living with a disability or chronic illness? Please tell us more about your experience and any training you have received. Yes, our training for this largely comes from FCO virtual trainings and supporting community members/receiving feedback / insight from them. We are about to meet with several community partners to hear how our center could better host and
welcome folks who are differently able.

7) Are you and your colleagues comfortable asking relevant questions about gender identity and sexual orientation? Yes

8) Do you offer Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ specific resources, for example Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers? We would like to have more, and currently our team is engaging in the Gathering Our Medicine (created by Denise Findlay from Squamish Nation) experience via FCO, and engages in monthly Elders circles (which youth/clients can also attend) hosted by local elders David and JoAnne. We are meeting with local elders soon to explore hosting an Elder at our drop in hours for Elder care, and connect with community partners at Indigenous Womens Sharing society for culturally relevant support and care.

9) Do you and your colleagues ask clients about pronouns and use them appropriately? Yes

10) Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for Two-Spirit, queer, or trans Indigenous individuals accessing your services?
Yes

11) Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for 2SLGBTQIA+individuals accessing your services? Yes

12) Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for trans individuals accessing your services? Yes

13) Are there clear anti-discrimination policies that include gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in your organization or practice?
Yes, and continues to be an active conversation/developing practice

14) Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in decolonizing their practices and/or organization? If yes, please type below what actions you and/or your organization are taking. Yes, this is why we are engaging in the Gathering Our Medicine practice and expanding relationships with the local nation (K’omoks Nation) youth coordinator and Elders circle.

15) Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in anti-racist practices, policies, and systems in their care model? All folks are required to take the JHSNI Indigenous Cultural training upon on boarding, and are encouraged to engage in Elder’s Circle and the Gathering Our Medicine experience, and our management team is currently revitalizing and actively targeting our DEI processes/trainings/commitments. There is always more that can be done and learning to experience.