Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Q Center, a subsidiary of AIDS Community Resources, is offering the LGBT Cultural Competency Project, desgined to educate youth service providers about how to avoid stigmatizing gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people.

"There is disproportionate rate of LGBT youth within the foster care system, homeless services and mental health services all because of how society or family or school reacts to them, " said program coordinator, Heather Crate.

"This training is for agencies that provide any services working with youth. It involves being competent in serving all youth regardless of differences, including what types of things to say, and what types of things to avoid [saying]," Crate said.

Service providers eligible for the training range from schools to human service providers.

The program is funded with a $25,000 grant from the Central New York Community Foundation.

For more information contact Heather Crate at 1-800-475-2430.

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