Latinos constitute the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. The United States Latino population is immensely diverse, with members originating from over twenty countries. Latino sub-populations tend to reside in different areas of the United States, have different cultural practices/norms, immigration experiences, and varying levels of economic attainment. These sources of internal variation are important, as they have implications for many social outcomes and social work practice with Latino families. This mini course focuses on the theoretical, empirical and practice literature on Latino families in the United States. The mini course will allow for students to become familiar with demographic trends, health disparities, acculturation and acculturative stress, and the current debates surrounding the immigrant health paradox. Additionally, this mini course will cover key methodological approaches aimed at engaging Latino families in mental health and health care services, as well as barriers and facilitators to mental health and health care utilization. Furthermore, the course focuses on clinical aspects of working with Latino families, including but not limited to, culturally congruent assessment, and prevention and treatment models. Students in this course will acquire a general understanding of (1) the demographic, social and political background of Latino families in the United States, (2) key theoretical frameworks to consider (e.g., acculturative stress) when working with Latino families, (3) culturally congruent assessment, prevention and treatment approaches for health and well-being, and (3) acquire a general understanding of clinical aspects when working with Latino families in the United States.
Describe introductory concepts as they relate to philosophy (e.g., epistemology, axiology, ontology). The purpose is to have participants reflect on their own biases (as well as those biases of others) based on the philosophical paradigms from which they operate.
Describe the concept of self-of-the-social worker, and work to minimize biases when working with Latino families.
Describe Latino demographics, including population trends, sociopolitical perspectives, and family dynamics.
Integrate a cultural perspective into the theoretical frameworks to help guide their practice with Latino families.
Identify ways in which U.S. policies and intervention in Latin America shape immigration patterns today.
Critique the film "Harvest of the Empire."
Identify professional and/or clinical challenges to practice.
Identify readily available, culturally congruent screening and assessment tools for Latino populations.
Describe career opportunities for working with Latino populations post-MSW.
Apply concepts learned to case studies, with a particular focus on assessment.
Describe efficacious and effective prevention and intervention approaches to practicing with Latino families.
Identify career opportunities for working with undocumented Latino immigrant populations post-MSW.
Apply concepts learned to case studies provided to them, with a particular focus on preventive interventions.
Identify professional challenges related to course content.
Agenda
Date
Time
Description
May 15, 2019
9:00am - 10:00am
Philosophy 101
May 15, 2019
10:00am - 11:00am
Self-of-the-Social Worker
May 15, 2019
11:00am - 12:00pm
Latinos in the United States: A Changing Landscape
May 15, 2019
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Integrating a Cultural Perspective into Theoretical Frameworks
May 15, 2019
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Film: Harvest of the Empire
May 15, 2019
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Film: Harvest of the Empire
May 15, 2019
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Individual Consultation
May 22, 2019
9:00am - 10:00am
Screening and Assessment
May 22, 2019
10:00am - 11:00am
Clinical Opportunities for Social work Practice with Latino Families
May 22, 2019
11:00am - 12:00pm
Case Study
May 22, 2019
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Treatment and Prevention Approaches to working with Latino Families
May 22, 2019
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Clinical Opportunities for Social work Practice with Undocumented Latino Immigrant Minors