Southern Legal Counsel (SLC) works to protect the rights of transgender individuals throughout Florida, including the rights of transgender youth to access medically necessary, gender-affirming care. SLC stands with transgender youth and families throughout Florida and seeks to provide clarity for those who are concerned about the impact of the guidance released yesterday.

Abigail Adkins was just six months into her two-year Equal Justice Works fellowship at Southern Legal Counsel when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools where she was working to improve safety by advocating for the provision of comprehensive school- and community-based mental health services for at-risk students.

“COVID-19 school closures delayed or disrupted special education services and accommodations for a lot of the students I work with, in addition to the broader impacts on student mental health and well-being,” said Adkins, whose fellowship is sponsored by McDermott Will & Emery and Darden Restaurants Inc. “As students return to in-person classes, it is more important than ever for educators and families to support kids’ social and emotional needs.”