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2018 LGBTQ Youth Report. (2018). Retrieved June 7, 2018, from www.hrc.org

Cianciotto, J., & Cahill, S. (2012). LGBT Youth in America's Schools. Ann Arbor, MI: Univ of Michigan Press.

Legal & Ethical Faq | American School Counselor Association (asca)

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/legal-ethical/legal-ethical-faq

M. Daley, personal communication, June 5, 2018

Position Statement on LGBTQQIAA Individuals. (2015, September 21). Retrieved from http://acachild.org/

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Step 5:  Information on topic- LGBT Youth

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Step 5:  Information on topic- LGBT Youth

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Gaining a better understanding of the needs of LGBT youth is essential for all educators. These issues are impacting not only today's high school students, but as those as young as elementary school ages. According to the HRC's youth report surveying 12,000 LBGT youth, 75% of LGBT youth feel depressed, 26% feel safe in their classrooms, and only 5% feel all of their teachers/school staff are supportive of LGBT people (2018, www.hrc.org). As a educator and member of the LGBT community, these statistics are unacceptable.

Cianciotto and Cahill discuss in the 1970's and 1980's the average age which youth self-identified as gay or lesbian was 19-21 for males and 21-23 for females.  More recent studies have found LGBT youth become more aware of their sexual orientation between ages 11-13 and come out to others often by age 15 (2012, Cianciotto and Cahill). These changes have brought about issues and topics that previous generations of educators did not often handle.

Legal and ethical issues for LGBT youth may include harassment, bullying, self-harm, restroom/locker room access, preference of names/pronouns a student prefers and so many others.  As a future counselor, especially one that personally relates to struggles LGBT students may be facing,  this will be a topic I will be faced with often.  I want students to know I will be an advocate for them and my office will be a place of support and safety.

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In my search of internet websites, the Human Rights Campaign brings to light many topics of promoting equality for all people.  Specifically, a section within the webpage provides resources for LGBT youth. (www.hrc.org)
Explore: Children and Youth  HRC

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Explore: Children & Youth | Human Rights Campaign

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Find a wealth of resources for supporting LGBTQ youth at home, in school and in the community.

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In my search of the Angelo State Library, I found a booked titled "LGBT Youth in America's Schools" by Jason Cianciotto and Sean Cahill that overviews issues of LGBT students today.

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One legal/ethical topic discussed was how counselors impact and can advocate for the LGBT youth. This topic speaks to me as I am a piece of this community. I currently oversee our high school's GSA Club (Gay Straight Alliance) and work with youth struggling with many aspects of who they are and how they can be better understood and supported.

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#2 Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling  (ACAC)

http://acachild.org/

The second association chosen is the A.C.A.C., a support and information network for counselors.  Again, several legal/ethical topics were discussed on this website.

*  One legal/ethical topic discussed on the ACAC website is the opposition of spanking, hitting, and other forms of corporal punishment against children.  The ACAC encourages counselors to work with families to educate them on this important issue.  Research shows such measures by parents is associated with depression, aggression, and decreased cognitive performance.

* A second legal/ethical topic discussed on this site are services provided to LGBT youth. Research  shows this group of students  is at higher risk for depressions, suicide, runaway, and high-risk sexual behavior. Advocating, supporting, and being an ally for these students should be an ethical and legal obligation for counselors.

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Exploration Option 2- Professional Associations

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Exploration Option 2- Professional Associations

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When searching professional associations, specific to educational counseling, I looked at the American School Counselor Association.   In the section, FAQ specific to legal/ethics, several issues were addressed.

#1 American School Counselor Assoc. (ASCA)
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/

* One legal/ethical issue counselors may encounter is working with minor students that believe they are pregnant.  It is important to know state laws as well as district procedures regarding this topic.  It is important to know if the student has confirmed her pregnancy.  Other items to confirm include whether the sex was consensual and the age of both parties.  Understanding a student's relationship with her parents may help guide the approach to take when discussing with parents.

* A second legal/ethical issue is self-harm and suicide.  When should a parent be notified?  Should school administrators be notified? If an assessment indicates true thoughts of suicide immediate action should be taken to develop a crisis plan  including the students' parents.

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I discussed current legal/ethics topics from a high school counselor's perspective,  with our lead campus counselor, Mrs. Mona Daley.

1. How do you stay current on legal issues in your field?
Counselors with MISD receive yearly law/ethics trainings. They have a day of professional development reviewing HIPPA, FERPA, counseling notes, what to do if subpoenaed, etc...

2. Can you think of a specific policy or rule that has changed because of legal/ethical issues?
One change  seen lately with school counselors is the amount of information released to step-parents.

3. What are current legal issues impacting your profession?
Two current issues impacting school counselors are LGBT student rights and gun laws.

4. What student/employee rights do you find you have to keep in mind in relation to your work?
It is important to always be mindful of HIPPA and FERPA laws.  Each time a parent calls, it is important to check to be sure that person is listed as a legal guardian before releasing any information.

5. What advice do you have for someone new entering this field?
Stay up to date on all issues specific to your district or state.  Moving from CA, I can tell you that certain topics and issues are higher priorities specific to where you live.  Study law changes, attend workshops, become well versed in such topics to better serve yourself, your students, and their families.

(M. Daley, personal communication, June 5, 2018)

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Upon completing my degree in Educational Counseling, I hope to be employed as a high school counselor.  I will complete my Master's Degree in May of 2019. My prior experience includes 15 years as a classroom teacher, with students ranging from 7th-12th grade.  My last 8 years have been spent at McKinney Boyd High School, in the DFW metroplex.