Social Services in Latino Communities Research and Strategies

Designed to provide social service professionals with ideas and approaches for better understanding and meeting the needs of Latinos in the U.S., Social Services in Latino Communities: Research and Strategies presents a variety of case studies that will help you develop culturally competent research and practice methods. This practical and insightful guide will lead you to a better understanding of the circumstances and contexts in which Latinos live and function. This will enable you to develop innovative models of service delivery, based upon community assets rather than deficits. As you will see, identifying, assessing, and engaging indigenous resources is a key to increasing Latino client and community satisfaction with your agency and the services it offers.

Social Services in Latino Communities gives you the vital information that slips through the cracks in most graduate programs because of the social work profession's failure to reexamine service delivery to communities of color in the U.S. It shows you ways for engaging Latinos in undertaking research within their own communities, how natural support systems are manifested within these communities, and how gerontological organizations can develop services that take into account an elder's context. More specifically, it gives you:

• recommendations for assisting substance abuse-related programs based in Puerto Rican and other Latino communities
• ideas for programming collaborative activities
• an empowerment paradigm for research with elders
• an assessment of the role of natural support systems within Latino communities
• insight on the important community role of food establishments
• advice for hiring and supporting bilingual and bicultural professionals who are Latino
  
  Social Services in Latino Communities gives you the foundation you need in your practice to ensure that the strengths and resources of Latino communities are utilized in outreach and service delivery programs. If you're a social worker, social work academic, or other service provider, don't stay in the dark of ignorance or uncertainty. Read this book and make sure that your skills and methods are culturally competent and sensitive!