LACOE hosted the first in-person, two-day PRISM Advisory Committee Meeting for partners to review the PRISM program course content for California educators. The California Department of Education (CDE) and LACOE, in partnership with Equality CA Institute along with twenty non-profit organizations including the Trevor Project and Human Rights Campaign Foundation, are developing the project called PRISM: Providing Relevant, Inclusive Support that Matters for LGBTQ+ Students. 

“As an educator myself, I believe it’s really important that young people and educators have safe spaces,” said California Congressman Robert Garcia. “The PRISM Program is a great opportunity for educators to learn the latest tools and information about how to create safe and affirming spaces on campuses that support all students.” 

The Los Angeles County Board of Education and LACOE recognize June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. As part of our on-going efforts to create more inclusive environments for our LGBTQIA+ students in L.A. County, LACOE is the lead contractor to develop the PRISM online training courses for certificated educators across California. 

“PRISM will require our leadership, courage and, importantly, the collaboration of all educational partners. We know LGBTQIA+ students face unique challenges. It is not enough to merely acknowledge their struggles. We must take decisive action to safeguard their emotional and social wellbeing by creating safe and supportive spaces within our education systems,” said the Los Angeles County Superintendents of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo. 

The two-day meeting was well attended by many state and local dignitaries such as State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, California State Representative Rick Chavez Zbur and Congressman Robert Garcia. Also in attendance were members from PRISM Advisory Committee organizations including: 

• California Department of Education  
• Equality California  
• ACLU Southern California  
• Advocates for Youth  
• Alliance for Children’s Rights  
• CFT  
• California State PTA  
• California Teachers Association  
• The Center – LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert  
• Dolores Huerta Foundation  
• Facing History and Ourselves  
• Family Acceptance Project  
• Gender Spectrum  
• GSA Network  
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation –  Welcoming Schools  
• LGBTQ Center OC  
• Los Angeles LGBT Center  
• One Archives Foundation  
• Our Family Coalition  
• Safe Schools Project  
• SDSU Research Foundation  
• Source LGBT+ Center  
• The Trevor Project 

“Students of all backgrounds have the right to feel safe, supported and affirmed at school—and LGBTQ+ students are no different,” said Ariana Rodriguez, staff attorney at ACLU SoCal, and an attendee at the conference. “California has some of the strongest laws in the country to protect and support LGBTQ+ students and the PRISM program will help ensure that school staff feel equipped to make those laws a reality.” 

The PRISM Project is a statewide effort to continue to educate ourselves and work on creating inclusive and affirming environments for LGBTQIA+ educators, students and staff across L.A. County and the State.