[news] RE: Transgender Health Program/An Open Letter

[sharai]

Hi,

I'm happy to speak with anyone who received this letter about the 
concerns Jamie Lee raises. I am out of town until Tuesday, but can reply 
by email this morning or on Monday -- or a message can be left at 
604-734-1514 (1-866-999-1514 for anyone who is calling long-distance).

First, I have to say that I am sorry to see Jamie Lee leave the Advisory 
Group, as her input has been very valuable. I have let her know that her 
feedback is still welcome in whatever way she feels comfortable 
providing it.

I do want to clarify what the process was for determining the criteria 
for the community counsellor job, and also the process for hiring. Prior 
to the first round of hiring in autumn 2003, at community forums held in 
Vancouver and Victoria, people suggested criteria that they felt were 
important for a transgender community counsellor. The notes from this 
discussion were also circulated to individuals who had expressed an 
interest in having input but could not attend the forums, and to all 
BC-based trans organizations and listservs to allow for additional 
input. The community input was then used to create the requirements 
outlined in the job position.

In October 2003, the job was posted as a contract running to March 31, 
2004. When the person in the position informed me he would not be 
renewing his contract due to a move out-of-province, the job was 
reposted, with the same criteria as the initial posting. Two weeks were 
given for people to submit applications. After the closing date, the 
community counsellor and I went over the applications and shortlisted 
three people who we felt had the strongest background in terms of the 
criteria for the job.

The Advisory Group is a vital mechanism for trans people, loved ones, 
and service providers to come together to brainstorm ideas and creative 
ways to problem-solve. For example, the Advisory Group has been 
discussing ways to collect and evaluate client data, and also first 
steps in establishing a drop-in for trans people in the sex trade. More 
information on the Advisory Group is posted on our website at 
http://www.vch.ca/transhealth/about/advisory.html

Community forums are also an important way for the broader community to 
stay informed and to give input. From its inception, the Transgender 
Health Program has held open community forums every four months in 
Vancouver and Victoria, with additional forums in rural areas as the 
budget permits. Notes from these forums are circulated publicly for 
further discussion. I am happy to send copies to anyone who wants them.

I hope this helps address some of the issues Jamie Lee has mentioned, 
and welcome any questions from anyone who wants to talk further.

Regards,

Joshua Mira Goldberg
Transgender Health Program
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Transgender Health Program
Three Bridges Community Health Centre
1292 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC  Canada V6Z 1W2
Phone/TTY: 604-734-1514 or
1-866-999-1514 (toll-free in BC)
Fax: 604-844-2223
Email: transhealth at vch.ca
Web: http://www.vch.ca/transhealth