Presented byElba MontalvoThe Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc.

Providing Services to Mixed Status Latino Families

We combine education and advocacy to expand opportunities for Latino children and families , amplify their voice, and promote participation that strengthens Latino communities.

We offer programs that reflect our community's culture We focus on the well-being of the whole family We increase access to childcare We spotlight major challenges and teach youth how to rise above them We work with the Latino community to shape a collective agenda through forums, community networks, and coalition building

“Ever since Adam and Eve were forced out of the Garden of Eden, men have been on the move, and the movement has spread culture and stimulated invention.”Franklin Scott

Mixed status immigrant families

have a strong family orientation

• The extended family is a support network• Heightened sense of community• More working adults in the household• Send remittance to support family in the

“home” country

The families accept their “inferior” status as immigrants with no sufficient

access to healthcare or a proper education etc. because living like this is still a better option than going back to

the country from which they came.

• Live in marginalized and poor communities• Experience unfair labor practices• Live with fear and a sense of not knowing

what is going to happen next• Language barriers• Discrimination

Some challenges that many immigrant families (documented and undocumented) have to deal with:

Implementation and enforcement of immigration

laws:

• detention• deportation• dividing families

Elvira Arellano and her son, Saul

• Deportations destroy the strong ties of the family.

• Deportations remove the breadwinner, which lowers family income.

• Deportations cause the loss of a parent, which creates an unstable home environment.

The Impact of Immigration Law on Children:

1.- Feelings of abandonment 2.- Instability in child care and supervision3.- Depression4.- Separation anxiety disorder

5.- Suicidal thoughts6.- Decline of attendance in school7.- Affects academic performance

The Impact of Immigration Law on Children:

8.- Loss of appetite/weight 9.- “Acting out” behavior10.- Lost sense of security

The Impact of Immigration Law on Children:

In order to understand the plight of the people we serve we need to understand what is going on in the country they come from.

We need a global perspective in order to be helpful.

Hispanic Population Profile

The Challenge of Serving HispanicsHispanic families pose challenges for social services delivery in the US because: Large group – the largest group in the US Unique age distribution – they are the youngest population

group Diverse ethnic groupings Racially diverse just like the USA Low median income levels High number of recent immigrants Limited English proficiency Cultural factors differentiate them from mainstream population

Hispanic Population Profile

Cultural Proficiency Means:

• Knowing the family’s nationality• Knowing the group’s history and the group’s migration history• Having a list of providers of services to the group – educational,

religious, civic, sports and political. • Understanding the value of kinship care for Hispanic families.• Understanding the Latino value of interdependence and their

expectations of children.• Understanding that Hispanics have 21 familial relationships.• Understanding the value of "personalismo".

Cultural Proficiency Means:

Knowing that Hispanics are racially diverse (just like the population of the USA) and many experience dramatic change in social status because of the USA system of racial ascription, which can affect self-esteem, relations with others and educational and economic opportunities.

Racial AscriptionHispanics are racially diverse –in USA Census, “Hispanic may be persons of any race” and there are categories for “non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Asians, non-Hispanic Blacks", etc.

Immigration or Citizenship StatusAll non-citizens have some basic human rights – child’s right to schooling, the right to basic medical care, the right to due Process.

Cultural Proficiency Means• Knowing the familiy’s and child's immigrant status and the

implications for foster care. • Understanding concerns of immigrants in a hostile

environment.• Being sensitive to the possible link between immigration

status and resistance to services or communication.• Emphasizing confidentiality and providing legal rights

information.

Immigration or Citizenship Status

• Knowing current immigration laws and understanding their impact in child welfare.

• Knowing the State's policies regarding immigrants.• Developing relationships with Latin American Consulates,

especially Mexico.• Knowing trusted resources for immigrants in communities

(legal, health, food, etc.)• Helping undocumented immigrant families prepare legal

documents enabling them to transfer custody/guardianship of their children if they are arrested.

Erroneous Assumptions:

• All Hispanics are fluent and literate in Spanish.• All Hispanics of all classes speak the same dialect or in

the same form.• All Hispanics in crisis will express themselves equally well

in English or Spanish.

Cultural Proficiency Means:

• Knowing the best language for communication.• Understanding that people in emotional or personal crisis may find

it difficult to communicate in a second or third language.• Using trained people as interpreters or translators and developing

effective interviewing techniques when using interpreters.• Meeting Title VI regulations.

Language

Language and Latino Child WelfareFr

ont E

ndPrevention

• What community prevention and education initiatives are in place in the community?

• Are family preservation services in Spanish?

• Does the Department of Human Services have a relationship with the Mexican Consulate?

Reporting Child Abuse• Is information about the Hotline & reporting child abuse made available in

Spanish?

• Are there bilingual hotline operators or translation services on hand 24 hours?

Investigation• Can the investigation be conducted in Spanish?• Are bilingual investigators able to speak with family members and others?• What is been done so that children are not used as translators in child welfare

cases?• Do families understand child abuse laws in the USA and the consequences of

termination of parental rights? • Has a bilingual worker been assigned?

Suleiman, Layla P. Building a Better Future for Latino Families. The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. New York, April 2001.

Language and Latino Child WelfareIn

the

Syst

emIntact Family

• How about adjunct services, i.e. parenting classes, mental health services?• Are psychological assessments/testing in Spanish?• Are letters, notices and other correspondences in Spanish?• Is the case service plan in Spanish?• Is the case review in Spanish?

Substitute Care• Do families understand the process/consequences?• Have families/youth been informed about their right to services in Spanish?• Are there treatment services in Spanish, i.e. drug rehab, counseling, etc.• Are Spanish speaking relatives identified and considered for placement?• Do Spanish speaking relatives/foster parents receive services in Spanish?• In bicultural families, are Spanish speaking fathers notified?• Can Spanish speaking parents communicate and understand what is

happening in the hearing?• Are families permitted to speak Spanish during visits?• Are there Spanish speaking foster care homes available?• If not, is there a recruitment effort for Spanish speaking homes?• Is licensing Latino-friendly and fair? Is required training offered in Spanish?• Are there bilingual and culturally competent residential facilities available?

Suleiman, Layla P. Building a Better Future for Latino Families. The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. New York, April 2001.

Language and Latino Child WelfareB

ack

End

Termination• Did Spanish speaking parents understand surrender of parental rights?

• Are Spanish speaking parents’ rights being terminated without receiving services in Spanish?

Adoption• Do Latinos have equal opportunity to become adoptive parents?

Aging Out of the System• Are Spanish speaking teens receiving independent living services in

Spanish?

Quality Assurance (QA)• Is data on Latinos and language tracked efficiently?• Do QA tools include indicators of communication needs/language?• What are the penalties for programs who do not meet communication needs

for Latinos?

Suleiman, Layla P. Building a Better Future for Latino Families. The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. New York, April 2001.

How am I prepared to serve Latino children and families?