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Devereux centers recognized by Human Rights Campaign for LGBTQ inclusion efforts

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

The following centers achieved the HRC’s All Children – All Families Tiers of Recognition noted below:

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the HRC for our ongoing efforts to implement policies and practices across our organization that promote equality and acceptance,” said Devereux Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical/Medical Officer Yolanda Graham, M.D. “Achieving this recognition is a testament to our employees’ commitment to providing compassionate and culturally competent care to the individuals and families we serve every day.” 

Devereux was featured recently in the HRC’s “Change-Makers in Child Welfare 2020,” an annual report highlighting the All Children – All Families program’s partnership with 100 organizations across the country that are working to improve the programs and services they provide to the LGBTQ community. 

HRC All Children – All Families Director Alison Delpercio, MSW, also noted, “The Human Rights Campaign is grateful to Devereux for a long and productive partnership spanning more than 10 years when Devereux Arizona first joined our All Children – All Families program. Since then, Devereux’s leadership team has continued to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to LGBTQ inclusion across its national operations. These efforts are truly transforming and saving the lives of LGBTQ children and families, and Devereux should be very proud of this critically important work."  

Levels of recognition

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. 

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 Foundation for Inclusion: At this level, organizations are in the early stages of LGBTQ policy and practice implementation. 

“At Devereux, we are proud of efforts to establish a track record of LGBTQ inclusion to ensure everyone – regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression – feels welcomed and safe when they walk through our doors,” Graham explained. “We have made great strides in implementing inclusive and affirming policies and practices, as we help those in our care maximize their strengths to reach their full and unique potential in the most accepting and supportive environment possible.”

Recruiting LGBTQ foster families

Devereux Arizona Executive Director Yvette Jackson, LMSW, DBH, who also serves as co-chair of Devereux’s LGBTQ national committee, noted LGBTQ inclusion has come a long way, particularly in recruiting foster families. 

“Several years ago, when Devereux Arizona first earned the All Children – All Families seal, it was challenging to match youth to LGBTQ foster parents because they were being overlooked,” Jackson said. “Since then, advocacy efforts from Devereux staff, along with support from the HRC, have created a culture shift. Today, we are finding that everyone is incredibly supportive of our LGBTQ foster families, and we could not be more thrilled because our foster parents are amazing!” 

Learn more about the HRC’s All Children – All Families initiative, and learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health’s efforts to support the LGBTQ community.

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