Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative

The Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative (KPRI) addresses issues of access to and inclusion in behavioral health services for LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Intersex) consumers.

The Initiative develops recommendations that will benefit consumers seeking or being referred to behavioral health services throughout Pennsylvania by insuring quality care unimpeded by differences of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Welcoming, affirmative and cultural competency LGBTQI trainings will be offered at different locations over the next several months across the state. The next scheduled training is:

The Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative, Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association and the Dauphin Club House presents:

A free training!

Welcoming and Affirming Practice:
Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex (LGBTQI) and Cultural Competence Training

Wednesday, February 29, 2012; 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Philhaven Education Center
283 South Butler Road
Mt. Gretna, PA 17064

Who Should Attend:

Anyone wishing to become more aware of issues faced by persons referred to as "sexual minorities". This heterogeneous population also includes persons with gender identity differences.

Course Description:

In this 5-hour seminar we will explore the effects of language, culture, and power dynamics on the developing personhood of those who carry the labels represented in the initials above. We will also examine our own attitudes, values and thinking, conditioned by our own upbringing, acculturation, and knowledge. Our focus will be on ways to become more truly welcoming and affirming to all persons who differ from us and to learn from them how to be helpful as part of a healing community of support.

Print application for this program. Registration application must be received by close of business on February 20, 2012.

CEU: A $40.00 fee will be charged for continuing education credits

For more information contact Anna Auch, Drexel University Behavioral Health Education, at 1-877-243-3033.

Behavioral Health Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Intersex Individuals

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) recognizes the behavioral health disparities between the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) population and the larger population it serves. The OMHSAS Deputy Secretary invited representatives of LGBTQI consumer communities and their advocates to form a workgroup to discuss needs, challenges and to make recommendations for improvement in behavioral health services. The purpose was to help ensure that OMHSAS, county mental health programs, behavioral health managed care organizations (BH-MCOs), and mental health provider agencies improve access to and quality of treatment and care for LGBTQI consumers.

The workgroup convened in December 2008 and met for six months. It included LGBTQI consumers, family members, advocates, county representatives, BH-MCOs, OMHSAS staff, and academics. The work group later named themselves Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative.

Recommendations presented to OMHSAS

The work group accomplished their goal with the publication of Issues of Access to and Inclusion in Behavioral Health Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Intersex Consumers.

They then turned their time and attention to writing policy and developing training. A small grant was obtained to support the policy work, which was completed when two draft bulletins were given to OMHSAS in fall 2010.

Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative Trainings

The Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association (PMHCA) received a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services office to help apply some of the work group's recommendations. We are working collaborative with Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative and Drexel University to develop cultural competency training and a course for providers on the clinical competencies needed to serve people who identify as LBGTQI. Both site based and web based training will be written and provided.

Notice of trainings will be posted to this Web site.

For more information contact: Pat Madigan, Director of Technical Assistance and Training 800-887-6422 or 717-564-4930 x 113; Rita Cisneros, CSTAP Coordinator 717-564-4930 x 112.

Web based training

The Web based LGBTQI curriculum, Creating a Welcoming and Affirming Environment, a 2.5 hour training on LGBTQI, is available online.

Go to the online LGBTQI training.

A SAMHSA Consumer Network grant awarded to the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association made possible the curriculum development partnership with Drexel University, College of Medicine, Behavioral Healthcare Education. This 2.5 hour training was developed by people with lived mental health experience who are part of the LGBTQI community.

Continuing Education Units

CEU's can be obtained from Drexel University, Behavioral Healthcare Education for $25.00 by calling 215-831-4055. Upon receipt of payment, a post-test will be provided followed by issuance of the CE certificate. Learn more about available CEU's for this training.

Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative Logo Description

The Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative (KPRI) logo is set on the outline of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shield. In the middle of the shield are the initials "KPRI", the acronym for Keystone Pride Recovery Initiative. Across the top of the image is a line of people in various poses of joyousness, all with their arms in the air. The images of people are in varying shades of the red, yellow, green and blue color palette, representing the colors of the rainbow. In the community the colors of the people in the image represent the colors of the rainbow flag, the flag of the LBGTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) community.