31 Mar 2026
Olivia Paddack and Amy Cannava: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
In this episode, Kathleen and Benton talk to BCASP member and school psychologist in Surrey, Olivia Paddack (she/her). We are joined by Amy Cannava (she/her) a school psychologist from the United States and chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Committee with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) . Both Olivia and Amy arepassionate about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and raising awareness amongst school psychologists and other professionals on how we can better serve and support this population.
Olivia wrote the BCASP position statement about supportivepractices for 2SLGBTQ+ clients, aligned with legal and professional guidelines. Amy has authored or co-authored guidance documents with NASP as well asnumerous journal chapters.
BC Resources:
SARAVYC (UBC): https://www.saravyc.ubc.ca/research/ (https://www.saravyc.ubc.ca/research/)
SHER Pride: https://www.sherpride.ca/about (https://www.sherpride.ca/about)
Emergence, documentary by SHER: https://emergencefilm.net/ (https://emergencefilm.net/)
TransCare BC for online resources and workshops: https://www.transcarebc.ca/education-centre?mid=4331&time=1770675627 (https://www.transcarebc.ca/education-centre?mid=4331&time=1770675627)
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth Position Statement (https://www.nasponline.org/x26826.xml)
SafeSchools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students (https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Research%20and%20Policy/Position%20Statements/PS_TransgenderandGenderDiverseStudents-rev2022.pdf)
(https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Resources%20and%20Publications/Resources/School%20Safety%20and%20Crisis/Supporting%20LGBTQ%20Students%20in%20Troubling%20Times_FINAL%20(3).pdf)SupportingLGBTQ+ Youth During Troubling Times (https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Resources%20and%20Publications/Resources/School%20Safety%20and%20Crisis/Supporting%20LGBTQ%20Students%20in%20Troubling%20Times_FINAL%20(3).pdf)
SupportingLGBTQ+ Youth When Policies Mandate Discrimination (https://ed.buffalo.edu/content/dam/ed/alberti/docs/conference/Resources%20for%20Savage%20presentation.pdf)
SchoolSafety and Crisis Response Considerations for Serving LGBTQIA+ Youth (http://www.nasponline.org/assets/documents/Resources%20and%20Publications/Resources/School%20Safety%20and%20Crisis/SSC_Considerations-for-Serving-LGBTQ-Youth.pdf)SupportingStudents Amid Political Events: Tips for Families and Educator (http://www.nasponline.org/assets/documents/Resources%20and%20Publications/Resources/School%20Safety%20and%20Crisis/SSCRC_Supporting-Students-Politically-Charged-Times.pdf)
SupportingSexual/Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents in Schools (https://www.nasponline.org/assets/Documents/Research%20and%20Policy/Professional%20Positions/Supporting_Sexual-Gender%20Diverse_Children_and_Adolescents_in_Schools.pdf)(APA & NASP)
Understandingthe Evolving Legal Landscape for LGBTQ+ Students (https://www.nasponline.org/publications/periodicals/communique/issues/volume-52-issue-8/understanding-the-evolving-legal-landscape-for-lgbtq-students) (Communique Volume 52Issue 8, PP. 12-16)
PolicyThreats and Challenges - Critical Information for School Psychology Leaders (https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/advocacy/advocacy-webinars/policy-threats-and-challenges-critical-information-for-school-psychology-leaders)Advocatingfor LGBTQ Students with Disabilities (https://www.nasponline.org/x56401.xml)
(Revised by HRC Welcoming Schools, 2024 NavigatingSupports for LGBTQ+ Students Receiving Special Education Services (https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/welcoming-schools/documents/Welcoming-Schools-Navigating-Supports-for-LGBTQ-Students-Receiving-Special-Education-Services.pdf))
NASPCondemns State & Local Efforts to Undermine Transgender Youth Rights and Wellbeing (https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Press%20Release%20Supporting%20Transgender%20Students%20NASP%202022.pdf)
GenderInclusive Schools (https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/diversity-and-social-justice/lgbtq-youth/gender-inclusive-schools-faqs)
NASP Self-Study Prof. Development
Advocatingfor LGBTQ+ Students in Unfriendly Settings (https://nasp.inreachce.com/Details/Information/75585947-7cb6-4a1b-96eb-093cdab2e6af) (May 20, 2026; 3:00-4:00 EST)
School psychologists often operate in environmentswith restrictive laws or unsupportive community attitudes toward LGBTQ+ youth.This webinar examineslanguage around LGBTQ+ identification, offers tips for navigating ethical andlegal constraints, provides guidance for talking with others about theseissues, and explores a case study addressing a transgender student’s socialtransition at school. Participants will leave with extensiveexamples and resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students in theircommunities.
TrueColors Shining Bright: WAIPER Schools for LGBTQIA+ Youth, Staff, and Families (https://nasp.inreachce.com/Details/Information/25d15258-9e25-40fe-88ae-e6616363888d)
There are multitude of organizations and programs whichpromote inclusive (Gender Spectrum), welcoming (HRC Foundation), and affirming(NASP) schools for LGBTQIA+ students, but physical and psychological safetyrequires a more holistic approach. Welcoming, affirming, inclusive, proactive,equitable, and responsive (WAIPER) schools are needed across all grades topromote learning and mental wellness. EmpoweringSchool Psychologists to Deliver Therapeutic Supports for LGBTQ+ Youth (https://nasp.inreachce.com/Details/Information/5e5bca92-0501-4a61-879a-492ea9b4cdc2)
Some PublicationsEmpiricallySupported Practices for LGBTQ+ Students: Implications for SchoolPsychologists (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40688-025-00573-4)Goingthe Distance: Perspectives and Practices of Physical Activity Staff inSupporting Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth (https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2025.2528904)
BestPractices in Inclusive School Environments and Tiered Supports for LGBTQIA+Youth (https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/books-and-products/best-practices-in-school-psychology-7-(print-and-digital)/best-practices-in-school-psychology-7-(digital))MyChild Told Me They're Trans: What Do I Do?: A Q&A Guide for Parents ofTrans Children (https://us.jkp.com/products/my-child-told-me-theyre-transwhat-do-i-do)
IdentifiedProtective Factors to Support Psychological Well-Being Among Gender DiverseAutistic Youth (https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2022.2119188)
QueerTheory and Intern Supervision: The Harm of Heteronormative Supervision (https://www.routledge.com/Critical-Theories-for-School-Psychology-and-Counseling-A-Foundation-for/Proctor-Rivera/p/book/9780367415778)
GrowingUp Trans: Professional Development (https://kcts9.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/growinguptrans/)
