Is your school a safe space for LGBTQIA2S+ youth?
Queer youth face a multitude of challenges, including increased rates of depression and risk of suicide. OUT Maine’s Safe School Cohort program is designed to break down barriers to build more inclusive school environments for Maine’s marginalized youth with school- or district-based interdisciplinary cohorts.
Completion of the cohort can satisfy district-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, and promote social and emotional learning among staff and students.
Program Timeline
- December/January: Schools complete Interest Form (linked below) by January 10th.
- January 15th: Schools confirm participation by emailing the signed program letter to our staff.
- Beginning of February: All school staff complete the School Climate Assessment Survey.
- Mid-Late February: School Cohort team training takes place. 3-4 staff members from each school attend a day of professional development where we will review the results of the School Climate Assessment Surveys, develop goals based on the survey results, and engage in discussions and skill building scenarios about inclusive school policy and practice.
- March-November: Technical Assistance Zoom groups take place. School Cohort Teams can attend monthly Zoom calls to receive assistance and resources in achieving goals set in February. Technical Assistance calls in the Summer will be available to those who would like to attend, especially for administrators and school leaders who are planning back to school professional development.
- To be scheduled by school: Full school virtual staff training from OUT Maine (Schools can opt for an in-person training for a fee).
We Want to Work with You!
Are you a student support specialist, an educator, an administrator, or other staff
committed to making lasting change? We want to work with you! Please fill out the
following interest form by January 10th, 2025 to get on our list for the 2025 cohort session.
What past cohort participants have to say...
“It was incredibly valuable to set meaningful goals for our own school community. The monthly meetings made us more accountable for making progress on our goals. The resources were incredibly valuable. Cassie was an excellent facilitator.”
“I would definitely recommend schools participating in this cohort process. The school-wide assessment was a jumping off point. Then, creating an action plan that was relevant and specific was really helpful.”
“As a board member I was able to see our school community and others around us through a new lens. How these issues are impacting our students and our staff. The weight that decisions being made hold for our communities.”