Fort Worth counselors allies for all students, transgender or not

The Fort Worth school district issued new transgender student guidelines last week to “ensure that no student experiences an unsafe or unwelcome learning environment.”

FWISD will have counselors, intervention specialists and student support staff at the ready for any student who needs, or wants, their assistance.

“The campus counselor will serve as a designated ally for students who wish to discuss these issues,” the guidelines say. They will also deal with concerns and questions from both school personnel and students.

FWISD External and Emergency Communications Director Clint Bond said in an email that additional training will begin in May for both campus administrators and student support staff.

Having trained professionals, outside of counselors, who understand the nuances involved with transgender issues is crucial, and it looks like FWISD is prepared.

There are already intervention specialists at secondary schools who are “licensed masters level clinicians, [the] majority are social workers, [who] work specifically with social emotional needs of students,” Bond wrote. Having as many trained school personnel as possible will help ensure a safe environment.

On these and other issues, FWISD students need ample support.

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Fort Worth counselors allies for all students, transgender or not."