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Spotlight on Innovations and Achievements: San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services

Learn how this agency developed a two-hour training program for disability and aging services staff, community partners and representatives from 15 California counties to provide background on sexual orientation and gender identity data collection needs.

We're proud to highlight the award-winning work of the 2020 winners of n4a's Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards in this weekly spotlight feature. This week, we are focusing on the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services' Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection Training Program. The agency was a 2020 Aging Achievement Award winner in the Diversity & Cultural Competency category. The 2020 AIA Awards were made possible thanks to the support of Centene.
 
When San Francisco and the state of California passed laws mandating collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data, San Francisco's Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) took the lead on implementation, developing a two-hour program for DAS staff, community partners and representatives from 15 California counties. The training program provided background on SOGI data collection needs, historical and personal perspectives, implementation practices for social workers and staff, and an overview of the continuum of sexual orientation and gender identity.
 
The training led to a significant increase in data collection, resulting in better services for the LGBTQ+ population. Prior to SOGI training in spring 2017, 40 percent of data on sexual orientation was missing. After the training, the missing data dropped to 10 percent in FY 2017–2018 and seven percent in FY 2018–2019.
 
To learn more about the training program and how your agency can replicate it, contact Melissa McGee, melissa.mcgee@sfgov.org. For other great program ideas, check out the new 2021 AIA-winning programs: see the press release and read this year's book of winners! To read about past winners and find other best practices for your agency to consider, visit our Best Practices Clearinghouse page.
 
The 2021 Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards are made possible by the generous support of iN2L. Our summaries of the 2021 recipients will start this fall.

Contributors

Contributors

USAging Fact: Learn about your peers’ work—and how it can fit into your agency’s goals! The AIA Awards recognizes successful and innovative programs that USAging members have developed to serve older adults. Get inspiration from our 2023 winners!