Safe Zone Training | Montgomery College, Maryland

Goals

Gain new understanding of gender, gender identity, gender expression and the diverse range of sexual and affectional orientations. Acquire resources and referral information and practice communication skills for classroom or office discussions or unexpected disclosure. It's your choice about how visible and active to be as an ally after class.

By taking the SafeZone training, you help foster a welcoming academic environment for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender--or questioning identity. LGBTQ students often feel unsafe at school, resulting in reduced attendance to avoid risk, bullying, or bias. Additionally, you can empower students to cope with ignorance or discrimination, build community among peers, and focus on their studies.

Safe Zones is an informative and experiential training that allows participants to explore their knowledge and assumptions about LGBTQ+ people, to learn about the needs and wants of LGBTQ+ students, and to understand core concepts and vocabulary, homophobia and heterosexism, and the coming out process. The training empowers participants to be able to support LGBTQ+ staff and students with campus, local, and national resources and to intervene in a situation of discrimination or harassment. The training is 6.5 hours, and you will receive professional development credit for that amount of time. There will be a brief lunch break.

Upon completion of the workshop series, participants will

Gain new understanding of gender, gender identity, gender expression and the diverse range of sexual and affectional orientations.
Acquire resources and referral information and practice communication skills for classroom or office discussions or unexpected disclosure.

Register for Training

Register for Safe Zone Full-Day Training on Workdaynew window | Register for Safe Zone Shorter Sessions on Workdaynew window

Monday, September 9, Rockville, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 19, Germantown, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 24, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 8, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 17, Rockville, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 29, Germantown, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 5, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 7, Rockville, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Monday, November 25, Germantown, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 11, Germantown, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 12, Rockville, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Monday, December 16, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Please reach out to Ellen Olmstead if your unit/department would like onsite training.

Train the Trainers

What is the Safe Zones Train the Trainers Program?

All Safe Zones trainings from 2020 to date have been led by Professor Ellen Olmstead. Starting in Fall 2024, Ellen is working with the Office of Equity and Inclusion, ELITE, and MC Pride & Allies to launch a Train the Trainers program so that we can expand our Safe Zones offerings in 2025 and beyond. This program will prepare participants to co-facilitate Safe Zones, and also incorporates the option to earn a microcredential badge on successful completion.

How do I sign up?

Please review the tentative dates below. The Train the Trainers program will be held on Fridays in the Fall 2024 semester (two hours per session), but there is some flexibility on the time of day and format (in person vs virtual) based on your availability.

Please send an email to Ellen.Olmstead@montgomerycollege.edu and CC prideandallies@montgomerycollege.edu

Eligibility

We are looking for a mix of members of the LGBTQIA+ community and Allies to support this initiative.
This opportunity is open to all MC employees (faculty and staff, full time and part time).
Participants must have either already completed Safe Zones or plan to participate in Fall 2024

Other Ways to Help:

Please help us get the word out about this opportunity to the MC Community by sharing this widely with your networks. Thank you!

What is Safe Zones?

Safe Zones is an informative and experiential training that allows participants to explore their knowledge and assumptions about LGBTQ+ people, to learn about the needs and wants of LGBTQ+ students, and to understand core concepts and vocabulary, homophobia and heterosexism, and the coming out process. The training empowers participants to be able to support LGBTQ+ staff and students with campus, local, and national resources and to intervene in a situation of discrimination or harassment. The in-person training is 4 hours, and participants receive professional development credit. Learn more on our website.

Questions?

Please email Ellen.Olmstead@montgomerycollege.edu and CC prideandallies@montgomerycollege.edu.

Safe Zone Trained MC Employees

View the list of individuals (PDF, ) who have taken the Safe Zone Training at the College.

*Last updated: 5/16/2024

Safe Zone Sticker

Posting a Safe Zone sticker may bring a variety of possible reactions from those around you who notice it. The Safe Zone sticker might make some people uncomfortable. There may be times when someone seeks you out to dispute the purpose of safe zones, or to confront you on general issues related to LGBTQ people. You do not need to engage in discussion with people who seek to challenge you, Safe Zones, or LGBTQ people. You are there to provide support and resource information, not to defend issues.

While it’s helpful to be aware of these possibilities ahead of time, the following consequences are even more likely. You may expect to:

Find that LGBTQ people censor their speech less and are more open with you so that there is more genuine communication between you.
Find that students and colleagues are more at ease, anticipating a non-judgmental atmosphere in your workspace.
Find people turning to you for support or information about LGBTQ issues and concerns.
Perhaps not notice any difference in the interactions you have with others, but to know that you are making a difference.
Know that you are making a personal contribution to improving the campus environment.

Note: report any defacing of signage to the Interim Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Kimberly Jones, and to Public Safety.

Responding to Discrimination or Harassment

Anticipating Situations and Responding to Discrimination (PDF, )

Refer a Student To Counseling

When to Refer an LGBTQ Student to a Mental Health Professional

Most of the students you will encounter are seeking support, advice, or information. Occasionally, you may see a student who is experiencing psychological distress. This may be evident in the following:

When a student states they are no longer able to function in their normal capacity within their classes; when they have seen a drop in grades or academic performance.
When a student can no longer cope with their day-to-day activities and responsibilities. A student may state they are no longer going to classes or they have been late for their job and may be fired soon if this continues.
A student expresses depressive symptoms such as: sleep disturbance, sudden weight loss or weight gain, crying spells, fatigue, loss of interest or pleasure in previous enjoyable activities, and/or inability to concentrate or complete tasks.
A student expresses severe anxiety symptoms such as: feelings of panic, shortness of breath, headaches, sweaty palms, dry mouth, or racing thoughts.
A student expresses suicidal thoughts or feelings.
A student has no support. They have no friends or have no friends with whom they can talk about their sexual orientation or gender identity. This person may not need counseling, but could benefit from a support group and the Counseling Center can make that assessment and referral.
good guideline to use if all else fails: If you are feeling overwhelmed or worried about a student, refer them to a counseling professional!

Personal Counseling

The Montgomery College Counseling and Advising Centers’ Counseling and Disability Support Services (DSS) faculty assist students with academic, personal, and career concerns. The primary emphasis is on supporting students to achieve their educational goals. Counselors do not provide ongoing therapy services to students, but can provide brief personal counseling on a short-term basis to deal with an immediate concern. Brief personal counseling is defined as any sessions regarding a concern that is not academic in nature. Counselors will also refer students to local community counseling resources which can provide further support and treatment for ongoing mental health needs.

Visit the College's Personal Counseling websitenew window for additional information.

Student Wellness Center

Your health and wellness can have an impact on academic success. The Student Wellness Center identifies, provides, and connects students to resources that support success. Some common challenges students face are access to health care, housing, food, mental health support, and personal safety. Montgomery College's network of community resources helps remove those obstacles to support your academic success. The Wellness Center also provide Mental Health Resources to students.

MC Transgender Resources