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Cultural Competence in Working With Children and Families
Child welfare workers can improve their practice with children, youth, and families by increasing their knowledge and appreciation of different cultures. Increased sensitivity to cultural differences can help workers more fully engage with families, better understand family actions and interactions, and make culturally appropriate case decisions, including State and local examples.
- Cultural issues in family assessment
- Religious issues
- Working with African-American families
- Working with American Indian families
- Working with Asian American families
- Working with Hispanic families
- Working with LGBTQ youth and families
- Working with military families
- Working with other groups
- Working with refugee/immigrant families
Caregivers' Perspectives on Cultural Competence (PDF - 222 KB)
Walker & Cook
Focal Point, 16(2), 2002
Caregivers' views about the extent to which services and providers demonstrated respect for their beliefs and values.
Children of Color: Psychological Interventions With Culturally Diverse Youth
Gibbs & Huang (2003)
View Abstract
Culturally sensitive and competent assessment and treatment approaches for children and youth from different minority backgrounds who are experiencing psychological and behavioral problems.
Cultural Competency in the Field of Child Maltreatment
Abney (2002)
In The APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment
View Abstract
Potential differences in values between professionals and the families with which they work.
Culturally Competent Public Child Welfare Practice
Samantrai (2004)
View Abstract
A goodness-of-fit approach to child welfare that emphasizes individualized interventions in the context of the client's cultural values.
Culturally Diverse Parent-Child and Family Relationships: A Guide for Social Workers and Other Practitioners
Webb (Ed.) (2001)
View Abstract
Reviews the parent-child relationships and caregiving practices of subgroups of various racial and ethnic groups, outlines ethical issues in social work with culturally diverse children, and describes a framework for culturally responsive practice.
Developing Cross-Cultural Competence: A Guide for Working With Children and Their Families
Lynch & Hanson (2004)
View Abstract
Information on working with families and children with disabilities from specific cultural, ethnic, and language groups.
Engaging Families
University of Denver Institute for Families
Perspectives on Practice, 1(2), 2005
Strategies for child welfare workers for developing a rapport with families, fathers, and teens from other cultures.
Handbook for Working with Children and Youth: Pathways to Resilience Across Cultures and Contexts
Ungar (Ed.) (2005)
View Abstract
Explores the paths children follow to health and well-being in diverse national and international settings.
National Center for Cultural Competence
Contains information in English and Spanish on providing culturally competent services to children and adolescents with special health care needs and their families.
Working With Low-Resource and Culturally Diverse Audiences (PDF - 245 KB)
Skogrand & Shirer (2007)
Provides family educators with strategies for learning about and partnering with low-resource and culturally diverse audiences.
State and local examples
Accounting for Culture in Supervised Visitation Practices (PDF - 5313 KB)
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
In Synergy, 10(2), 2006
Describes how culture plays a role in supervised visitation centers in Chicago, Illinois. While the focus is on family visiting centers used in domestic violence cases, this article has applicability in the field of child welfare visiting practices.