PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Elizabeth Seraco, Integrator Treatment Model Director at The Children's Village
2:01:45
·
143 sec
Elizabeth Seraco, representing The Children's Village, testified about their efforts to create an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and residential programs. She highlighted the organization's programs, services, and commitment to implementing affirming policies for LGBTQ+ young people.
- The Children's Village serves over 20,000 children and families per year across New York City
- They have an active GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) that organizes events and provides support for LGBTQ+ youth
- Their Keith Herring Medical Center offers integrated medical and behavioral health care, including gender-affirming care
Elizabeth Seraco
2:01:45
Good afternoon.
2:01:46
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.
2:01:48
My name is Elizabeth Seraco.
2:01:50
I'm the integrator treatment model director at the Children's and the cochair of the agency's LGBTQ plus staff affinity group.
2:01:57
The children's village serves over 20,000 children and families per year in all five boroughs of New York City and beyond it through a diverse range of programs.
2:02:07
At the Children's Village, we strive to create an inclusive and informing environment for all LGBTQ plus young people and their families.
2:02:15
Within our foster care and residential programs participate in inactive GSA, which provides a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ youth and allies to learn and grow.
2:02:26
The GSA organizes and participates in events with recent highlights, including the center lane LGBTQ plus prom, Pride Works Youth Conference, and our campus pride celebration with weekly workshops, film screenings, and an ice cream social.
2:02:41
Our Keith Herring Medical Center was founded with the support of Mister Herring's family foundation following his many years as a volunteer young people receive fully integrated medical and behavioral health care, including age appropriate reproductive health and gender affirming care in collaboration with top specialists in the New York City area.
2:03:02
We believe that New York City has some of the most progressive and affirming policies on the inclusion of LGBTQ plus people of any jurisdiction in the United States requiring affirming foster homes, reporting bias incidences, access to affirming care and services, and the development of programs specifically for LGBTQ plus young people in care.
2:03:23
Our challenge and responsibility is to operationalize these policies and commit ourselves to fostering a safe and affirming environment for every young person.
2:03:32
We believe completely in this mission, and we also know that we have a long way to go.
2:03:37
When a young person has the courage to tell us that they have not been treated in an affirming way, we take this as an opportunity to improve and to validate that use experience.
2:03:47
We have point people who are visible and available to young people and families in all of our
Farah Louis
2:03:51
Thank you.
2:03:52
Your time has expired.
Elizabeth Seraco
2:03:55
They're worse.
2:03:57
Sorry about that.
Althea V. Stevens
2:04:05
Thank you.
Elizabeth Seraco
2:04:07
Yeah.
2:04:07
No.
2:04:07
Thank you for your time.
