Working With Hispanic Families

Issues relevant to working with Hispanic families, including State and local examples.

• Behavioral health

The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc.
The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. (CHCF) (2013)
Strengthens New York City's communities through a blend of direct services, resources, and advocacy at the local, State, and Federal levels.

Current Research Projects Addressing Children and Families Who Are Hispanic, April 2013 (PDF - 209 KB)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (2013)
Provides brief summaries of recent research efforts sponsored by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) that span a wide range of topics informing Administration for Children and Families programs and policies supporting Hispanic children and families. This list includes OPRE-funded projects through fiscal year 2012.

Enhancing Cultural Competence in Social Service Agencies: A Promising Approach to Serving Diverse Children and Families (PDF - 803 KB)
Calzada & Suarez-Balcazar (2014)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation
Describes cultural competence and provides service providers and administrators with concrete strategies for the ongoing self-reflection and development that is key to strengthening cultural competence in social services. The brief provides references and links for additional resources, tools, and information.

Latino Cultural Guide: Building Capacity to Strengthen the Well-Being of Immigrant Families and Their Children: A Prevention Strategy (PDF - 175 KB)
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, University of Minnesota School of Social Work (2010)
Highlights items that are important to understanding Latino culture and family dynamics.

Recruiting and Retaining Older African American and Hispanic Boys in After-School Programs (PDF - 352 KB)
Kauh (2010)
Presents strategies that may be effective for recruiting and retaining older minority boys in after-school programs. A literature review is included.

Social Work Practice With Latinos: Key Issues for Social Workers
Furman, Negi, Iwamoto, Rowan, Shukraft, & Gragg (2009)
Social Work, 54(2)
View Abstract
Provides an overview of the general knowledge needed by social workers to work more effectively with their Latino clients. Topics include immigration and migration concerns, acculturation, cultural values, work issues, and health disparities.

What Works for Latino/Hispanic Children and Adolescents: Lessons from Experimental Evaluations of Programs and Interventions (PDF - 245 KB)
Bandy & Moore
Child Trends Fact Sheet, 2011
Identifies intervention programs and strategies that appear to contribute to program success for the Latino youth population. Strategies include working with the family, Spanish-speaking program facilitators, and culturally infused programs.

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State and local examples

"Bad" Mothers and Spanish-Speaking Caregivers
Appell
Nevada Law Review, 7(3), 2007
Uses a case study of a Latino family's experience in Nevada to illustrate the intersection of Latino families with the child welfare system and to highlight the importance and vulnerability of language in this system.

Culturally Competent Practice With Latino Families (PDF - 588 KB)
Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (2007)
Participant guide for a training to provide specific skills and knowledge for culturally competent practice with Latino families.

Culturally Competent Systems of Care Practices With Hispanic Children and Families: Final Project and Evaluation Report
Dettlaff, Garcia Nuno, & Rycraft (2007)
View Abstract and Document
Describes a collaborative effort to develop a training for Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff on culturally competent practice with Latino children and families using a systems of care model.

South County Wraparound Project for Predominantly Latino Children and Youth
California State University, Monterey Bay
Designed to engage the community and local agencies to develop a community-based, culturally appropriate Wraparound model.

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