TGAP (Trans Greater Access Project)
CWHC’S TGAP PROGRAM IS RECRUITING TRANSFEMININE INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE IN FOCUS GROUPS. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
TO LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF TGAP, CLICK HERE.
As a leader within the women’s health movement, CWHC recognizes the ways in which gender oppression and prejudice in our society inhibit access to respectful health care. As society continues to evolve, we remain committed to reexamining the spectrum of such oppressions to serve the present needs of our community. As LGBTQ people and allies ourselves, we understand the difficulties trans-identified people may face when seeking medical care, and we are committed to examining and expanding our services to provide affordable, respectful health care to the trans communities.
Reflecting that commitment, CWHC created the Trans Greater Access Project (TGAP). TGAP is an agency-wide initiative focused on increasing access to affirming health services for trans-identified individuals. Through collaboration with community partners and our clients, we strive to provide services that are trans-positive and informed by trans people. As we grow this program, we recognize that we are not serving trans men and trans women in the same capacity. We are working diligently to expand our services to meet the needs of all trans people.
At CWHC, we take our commitment to providing high quality and competent care very seriously. Therefore, we approach program growth and new services mindfully and slowly. This helps us ensure that we are providing intentional, informed care. As a small, community-based organization, we also find value in creating new programming gradually, ensuring that this growth is sustainable.
As we grow our capacity and services, we value transparency with our community and continue to collaborate with trans-identified community members and clients in informing this process. To find out more about the history and development of TGAP and opportunities to be involved with TGAP at CWHC, click here.
CWHC is proud to serve the trans communities through the following services: Some of our providers have more extensive training in trans health issues; therefore, we invite our clients to request a TGAP provider.
All services are offered on a self determined, sliding fee scale.
Services for All Trans Clients:
• Integrative Health Services. CWHC offers alternative health care modalities including acupuncture and massage therapy.
• Counseling and Therapy. CWHC’s counseling program offers individual counseling, crisis counseling, groups, and workshops. We also offer short-term counseling for trans individuals desiring support when initiating or considering hormone therapy.
• Alternative Insemination (AI). Our AI program is designed to provide affirming care to a diversity of LGBTQ families and single people who do not have access to sperm. We facilitate and support all stages of this process with consultation, fertility awareness education, and insemination services.
Services Specifically for Transmasculine Individuals:
• Masculinizing Hormone Therapy. We offer hormone therapy to clients seeking to initiate or maintain Testosterone therapy. As a pilot program, we invite clients to offer feedback and input about our hormone administration process. Call (link) to request a TGAP appointment.
• Gynecological Services. Our gynecology program provides transmasculine and gender queer clients with access to sensitive basic gynecological care that has been informed by trans people.
Services in Development Specifically for Transfeminine Individuals:
In 2011, we began developing a pilot program for clients who wish to begin or continue feminizing hormone therapy. We are organizing focus groups to occur in May 2012 to engage the transfeminine community in informing our care. We expect to launch this program in September 2012. For more information on our process and how people can participate in focus groups, please click here .