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Social Work with Hispanic Youth

Help Hispanic youth address the complex challenges they face.

In SOWK 7328 Social Work with Hispanic Youth, you will examine the cultural and social environments that help shape Hispanic children and minors. You will evaluate ways to overcome barriers that can interfere with your engagement of this population, as well as the complex challenges faced by Hispanic youth.

Course Description

A variety of dynamics both promote and hinder social adaptation and positive adjustment for Hispanic youth. These include parenting strategies, siblings, language and acculturation. You will see how these factors, along with developmental, sociological and social psychological theory, help to form and influence Latino ethnic identity.

In exploring how Hispanic youth’s human rights experiences can impact their ability to effectively engage with social services, you will assess the impact discriminatory behavior has on their development. You will be able to use that assessment to devise effective strategies for engaging at-risk Hispanic children and minors. You will see how to use data-driven models of intervention to serve young people and their families, and identify those agencies and programs within various communities that offer culturally responsive effective interventions for Hispanic youth.

In this course, you will examine evidence-based approaches for providing culturally responsive and competent treatment plans to Hispanic youth who face any number of behavioral, biological or environmental issues, such as:

  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and two-spirited
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Suicidal tendencies
  • ADHD and other behavioral disorders
  • Interpersonal violence
  • Pregnancy and parenting

You will further develop your knowledge, skills, and abilities in using Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) with Hispanic youth who have or are at risk for having substance abuse issues. You will also learn to conduct the CRAFFT screening test, an easy-to-administer assessment that consists of nine questions to determine substance-related risks.

Sample Learning Exercise

Working with a volunteer Hispanic adolescent, conduct a video-recorded Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) assessment for substance abuse using the CRAFFT Screening Tool.

Assignment Example

Working in a group, develop a case study of a Hispanic child ranging from 6 to 12 years old with a problem(s) that needs professional intervention. In this evidence-based research case study, you must ask an answerable question that can be researched. Your group will present your case study and recommendations to the class.

Course Topics

Throughout this course, you will focus on core topics or themes. Sample topics are listed below and are subject to change based on the instructor.

  • Conceptual Frameworks for Social Work with Hispanic Youth
  • Identity of Hispanic Youth
  • Hispanic Youth and Culture
  • Considerations for Engaging Hispanic Youth
  • Human Rights and Challenges of Hispanic Youth: Considerations for Engagement
  • Client-Centered Assessments with Hispanic Youth

Learning Outcomes

Through SOWK 7328, you will gain a better understanding of topics specific to professional social work identity, values and ethics, diversity, human rights, social and economic justice, and cultural competence with emphasis on Hispanic families and children.

  • Understand theories and models of evidence-based, culturally appropriate practice with Hispanic youth.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of culturally grounded competency in delivering Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) practices to Hispanic youth.
  • In engaging Hispanic children and minors, demonstrate awareness and use of intergenerational cultural differences.
  • Apply family-centered theories to assessment with Hispanic youth.
  • Incorporate strengths perspective to assessment with Hispanic youth.
  • Use client-centered, evidence-based interventions that are culturally appropriate in working with this demographic.
  • Be ready and confident in your ability to screen and intervene with Hispanic youth who are at-risk for alcohol/substance abuse.
  • Intentionally prepare for practice with Hispanic youth, including engaging with key informants that impact the client system.
  • Intentionally prepare for SBIRT practice with Hispanic youth and recognize its value for various stakeholders, such as clients, payers, policymakers, physicians, and allied health and human service professionals.

Learn More About Helping Others

In SOWK 7328, you will consider risk and protective factors, availability and access to resources, evidence-based practices and more for helping the Hispanic children and minors you will encounter in your social work practice. To learn more about this course or any other course in the online Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, call 855-275-1082 to speak with an admissions advisor right away, or you can request more information.

The content presented on this page is representative information for example purposes and is subject to change as course and student needs change over time.

Programs that include this course