Minister for Equality Harriet Shing today announced the Victorian Government is providing $1.85 million to Rainbow Health Australia to deliver LGBTIQ+ inclusion training to around 400 service organisations over the next two years.
Every organisation that completes the How2 program creates a plan for organisational change, specific to their organisation, that embeds LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
Jami Jones, Program Lead at Rainbow Health Australia, said the How2 program improves access and safety for the LGBTIQ+ community.
“We know that LGBTIQ people are more likely to access and benefit from services that are affirming of our community’s identities and experiences,” Jami Jones said.
“This program will mean that more LGBTIQ people across Victoria will feel safe to access the services they need, when they need them, and be met with services that are safe and affirming.”
“The How2 program focuses on sustainable organisational change, so it’s not just about one-off training, it’s about embedding LGBTIQ+-affirming processes across the whole service-user journey,” Jami Jones said.
The program supports organisations to improve LGBTIQ+ inclusion in their workplaces and services in a sustainable way, including by developing and beginning to implement an LGBTIQ+ inclusion plan.
Rainbow Health Australia is located within the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, supporting LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing through research, training, resources and policy advice.
Rainbow Health Australia will partner with an Aboriginal-led organisation to design the best approach for supporting Aboriginal-led organisations to undertake the work.
It will also create networks of organisations who have completed the program, giving them a place to swap experiences and advice on LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
The How2 program is a good foundation for service organisations who later wish to complete Rainbow Health Australia’s accreditation program Rainbow Tick.
Rainbow Tick is a world-first framework through which health and human services organisations can confirm and demonstrate that they are safe and inclusive for LGBTIQ+ people.
This funding is part of the Victorian Government’s broader efforts to drive equality for LGBTIQ+ communities, through its landmark 10-year LGBTIQ+ strategy Pride in our Future.
Organisations interested in undertaking How2 training can find out more at Rainbow Health Australia.
Media contact: Courtney Carthy-O’Neill – c.carthy-oneill@latrobe.edu.au / +61 487 448 734
