The most current and relevant best practices for working with diverse groups within Latino culture It is estimated that in just two generations, the United States will follow Mexico with the second largest Latino population in the world. Optimistic and timely, Solving Latino Psychosocial and Health Problems addresses the social welfare of this important ethnic community. Noted expert Kurt Organista employs a practice-oriented approach to addressing the interwoven psychosocial and health-related concerns that impact this community and offers thoughtful and much-needed solutions. This important book realistically considers the Latino community's imposing and rapidly growing population size, complex set of challenging issues, and the tremendous diversity between and within each major U.S. Latino group. Section I applies a series of highly relevant frameworks to deepen your understanding of the historical and current cultural and social experiences of diverse Latino populations in the United States, ending with a unique practice model for working with Latinos. Section II provides detailed illustrations of the best and most promising practices for working with various Latino populations. A must-read for practitioners, students, and policy makers, Solving Latino Psychosocial and Health Problems richly embraces the distinctness of the wide range of Latino ethnic identities in the United States and provides a practical and thought-provoking resource relevant to a broad range of helping professionals.

In 1998, a series of focus groups was held to explore the factors that promote resilience among Hispanic girls. At least 4 focus groups, composed of no less than 6 and no more than 15 participants, were conducted at each of the 6 urban sites. In spite of the variations in Hispanic subgroup membership of the focus group participants, the findings from these sessions suggested one clear, salient conclusion: cultural protective factors play a critical role in buffering Hispanic girls from risky and damaging behaviors, such as delinquency, depression, pregnancy, and substance abuse. This report also offers recommendations to address the serious risks facing Hispanic girls. Focus group participants confirmed the need to develop culturally appropriate programs and messages for Hispanic girls and their parents. They agreed about the importance of involving Hispanic community-based organizations in the design, implementation, and evaluation of any campaign to empower Hispanic girls. (Contains 131 end notes.) (SLD)

The authors report some progress toward reducing adolescent smoking and tobacco use and also highlight areas for improved efforts.

Designed specifically with mental health professionals in mind, The Bilingual Counselor’s Guide to Spanish is perfect for counselors interested in expanding their client base and language skill set. Featuring terminology and cultural phrases specific to the mental health profession, this text offers an easy introduction to both the Spanish language and interfacing with Spanish-speaking clients in a counseling setting. Sections of useful and practical vocabulary are followed by ¡Practique! sections, which enable to reader to put his or her developing skills to use. These sections are augmented by case studies in English and Spanish, as well as brief overviews of Latino history, customs, and social manners that will greatly enhance any counselor’s depth of interaction with Spanish-speaking clients. For counselors who want to communicate with the large and rapidly expanding population of Spanish speakers in the United States, or for those who are simply interested in developing or improving their Spanish-language skills, The Bilingual Counselor’s Guide to Spanish is the place to start.

Distinguished by its muticultural approach, this book provides an up-to-date survey of child welfare, including an overview of the generalist perspective, a history of child welfare, and a discussion of child welfare services. It analyzes the many changes in child welfare policy since the early 1990s and includes case examples to provide topical and multicultural illustrations of the concepts presented. The lead author and chapter contributors are in the forefront of new developments in child welfare. The Second Edition features chapters on working with diverse family systems, including African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian families. The updated discussion of child welfare policy addresses Family Preservation, the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act, and the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. New material is also presented on child maltreatment and child welfare in rural America, kinship care, the link between the community and the family, and managed care. For anyone interested in child welfare and recent changes in child welfare policy.