ARC earns platinum national credential for service to LGBTQ+ elders

[…] That knowledge and the dedication of staff members led the Commission to pursue certification through SAGE, a leading organization in advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ individuals in the elder population. The ARC gained first-level credentials for SAGECare’s four-tier cultural competency program in 2023, Kurtz said, but it attained platinum status — the highest level — in 2024. The organization, SAGE Director of Training and Instructional Design Sadiya Abjani said, has provided free training to Area Agencies on Aging across the country since its 2016 launch.

The training program incorporated ARC Aging and Independence Services staff and managers and solidified policies and practices that make for a welcoming, affirming and inclusive environment for those they’re helping. Issues like housing and transportation come up frequently along with questions about home-delivered meals, home modifications and repairs, and personal support, Kurtz said.

“When staff are talking to individuals, we pay attention to the questions we ask,” she said. “We’re thoughtful about the terms we use.”

Staff are trained, for example, not to make assumptions about the gender of a person’s spouse or about their family structure. […]

Click here to view the full piece. This story was originally published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on September 3, 2024.