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Devereux centers recognized by Human Rights Campaign for supporting LGBTQ youth, families

Four Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health centers have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ advocacy group in the U.S., for supporting and serving LGBTQ youth and families. 

In June, Devereux Arizona and Devereux Florida were awarded the HRC All Children – All Families “Innovator” Seal of Recognition (the highest level of recognition) for implementing “innovative approaches to LGBTQ inclusion.” In addition, Devereux Georgia was awarded the “You are Welcome Here” Seal of Recognition, and Devereux Pennsylvania’s Children’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services center was recognized for Building a Foundation for Inclusion.

The HRC’s All Children – All Families initiative provides a comprehensive framework for organizations to establish best practices that welcome, support and affirm LGBTQ foster and adoptive parents. Achieving recognition from the HRC requires an organization to examine every aspect of care – from admissions paperwork to supports and services.  

“Receiving confirmation that Devereux’s policies and practices are worthy of the HRC’s ‘stamp of approval’ is significant for us – and all of our LGBTQ stakeholders,” said Devereux Arizona Assistant Executive Director Yvette Jackson, who also serves as co-chair of Devereux’s LGBTQ national committee. “Achieving this recognition sends a clear message to the LGBTQ community that Devereux is a place where individuals can receive culturally competent and compassionate care, and that sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression will not limit access to equal, quality care. This recognition also affirms Devereux’s commitment to diversity in hiring practices and supporting LGBTQ staff members.”  

Levels of recognition

The HRC recognizes organizations at three levels of inclusion, depending upon the extent to which they have implemented LGBTQ inclusive policies and practices. These levels include: 

1. Innovative Inclusion: Organizations are awarded the “Innovator” Seal of Recognition for looking beyond their own policies and practices, and “demonstrating leadership in areas such as policy advocacy or organizational partnerships.”
2. Solid Foundation for Inclusion: Organizations earn the “You are Welcome Here” Seal of Recognition for implementing “the essential elements of LGBTQ inclusion.”
3. Building a Foundation for Inclusion: At this level, organizations are “in the early stages of LGBTQ policy and practice implementation.”  

“Across the country, there are barriers for individuals within the LGBTQ community related to foster care and receiving appropriate healthcare due to discrimination and a lack of awareness,” said Devereux Arizona Director of Foster Care Services Paul Davis, “Achieving these levels of recognition demonstrates Devereux’s commitment to eliminating healthcare disparities and unequal treatment of LGBTQ individuals, and establishes that our organization has the knowledge and experience to do so with competence, and in a welcoming and affirming manner.”  

Next steps …

“This is just the beginning, as Devereux’s LGBTQ committee is actively engaging in efforts to support all of our centers in achieving recognition from the HRC at one of the three levels within the next year,” Jackson added. “By taking these steps, we are sending a clear message to the individuals we serve, our staff and our communities that we do more than welcome and affirm LGBTQ individuals – we are taking action to establish a track record of LGBTQ inclusion and develop meaningful relationships with our LGBTQ communities.” 

Learn more about the HRC’s All Children – All Families initiative, and learn more about Devereux’s foster care services and efforts to promote inclusion.

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