In this episode, Kathleen and Benton talk to BCASP member and school psychologist in Surrey, Olivia Paddack (she/her). We are joined by Amy Cannava (she/her) a school psychologist from the United States and chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Committee with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) . Both Olivia and Amy arepassionate about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and raising awareness amongst school psychologists and other professionals on how we can better serve and support this population.

Olivia wrote the BCASP position statement about supportivepractices for 2SLGBTQ+ clients, aligned with legal and professional guidelines. Amy has authored or co-authored guidance documents with NASP as well asnumerous journal chapters.

BC Resources:

SARAVYC (UBC): ⁠https://www.saravyc.ubc.ca/research/⁠   

SHER Pride: ⁠https://www.sherpride.ca/about⁠

Emergence, documentary by SHER: ⁠https://emergencefilm.net/⁠

TransCare BC for online resources and workshops: ⁠https://www.transcarebc.ca/education-centre?mid=4331&time=1770675627⁠

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)⁠Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth Position Statement

⁠SafeSchools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students⁠

⁠SupportingLGBTQ+ Youth During Troubling Times⁠ 

⁠SupportingLGBTQ+ Youth When Policies Mandate Discrimination⁠

⁠SchoolSafety and Crisis Response Considerations for Serving LGBTQIA+ Youth⁠⁠SupportingStudents Amid Political Events: Tips for Families and Educator⁠

SupportingSexual/Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents in Schools⁠(APA & NASP)

⁠Understandingthe Evolving Legal Landscape for LGBTQ+ Students⁠ (Communique Volume 52Issue 8, PP. 12-16)

⁠PolicyThreats and Challenges - Critical Information for School Psychology Leaders⁠Advocatingfor LGBTQ Students with Disabilities⁠

 (Revised by HRC Welcoming Schools, 2024 ⁠NavigatingSupports for LGBTQ+ Students Receiving Special Education Services⁠)

 ⁠NASPCondemns State & Local Efforts to Undermine Transgender Youth Rights and Wellbein⁠g

⁠GenderInclusive Schools⁠ 

NASP Self-Study Prof. Development

⁠Advocatingfor LGBTQ+ Students in Unfriendly Settings⁠ (May 20, 2026; 3:00-4:00 EST)

School psychologists often operate in environmentswith restrictive laws or unsupportive community attitudes toward LGBTQ+ youth.This webinar examineslanguage around LGBTQ+ identification, offers tips for navigating ethical andlegal constraints, provides guidance for talking with others about theseissues, and explores a case study addressing a transgender student’s socialtransition at school. Participants will leave with extensiveexamples and resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students in theircommunities.  

⁠TrueColors Shining Bright: WAIPER Schools for LGBTQIA+ Youth, Staff, and Families⁠

There are multitude of organizations and programs whichpromote inclusive (Gender Spectrum), welcoming (HRC Foundation), and affirming(NASP) schools for LGBTQIA+ students, but physical and psychological safetyrequires a more holistic approach. Welcoming, affirming, inclusive, proactive,equitable, and responsive (WAIPER) schools are needed across all grades topromote learning and mental wellness. ⁠EmpoweringSchool Psychologists to Deliver Therapeutic Supports for LGBTQ+ Youth ⁠

Some Publications⁠EmpiricallySupported Practices for LGBTQ+ Students: Implications for SchoolPsychologists ⁠Goingthe Distance: Perspectives and Practices of Physical Activity Staff inSupporting Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth⁠

⁠BestPractices in Inclusive School Environments and Tiered Supports for LGBTQIA+Youth⁠⁠MyChild Told Me They're Trans: What Do I Do?: A Q&A Guide for Parents ofTrans Children⁠

⁠IdentifiedProtective Factors to Support Psychological Well-Being Among Gender DiverseAutistic Youth

⁠QueerTheory and Intern Supervision: The Harm of Heteronormative Supervision⁠

⁠GrowingUp Trans: Professional Development⁠