Providing Culturally Appropriate Services To Latino Families

Providing Culturally
Appropriate Services
To Latino Families
Hector J. Campos
Campos Training & Consulting
Group
hjcampos@tx.rr.com
469-633-9937

When you change the way
you look at things, the things
you look at change.
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Goal
To increase confidence,
comfort and competency
when working with Latino
parents and their children

Agenda
• Demographics, Diversity & Cultural
Competence
• Impact of Acculturation
• Communication Skills for Cultural
Competence

The Foreign-Born
Population in the United
States: 2003

Population Size and Composition: 2003
• Approximately 33.5 million foreign-born people live in
the United States.
• The foreign born represent 11.7 percent of the U.S.
population.
• People born in Latin America comprise approximately
53.3 percent of the U.S. foreign-born population.
Source: Current Population Survey,
Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2003

Percent Distribution of Foreign Born
by World Region of Birth: 2003
Europe
13.7%
Asia
25.0%
Other
Regions
8.0%
Latin America
53.3%
Source: Current Population Survey,
Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2003

Size & Growth
Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and will
become the largest minority group by 2010.
Millions
100
80
60
40
20
0
9.1
15%
14.6 22.4 30.5 31.4 41.1 52.7
12%
65.6
80.2
25%
96.5
1970 1980 1990 1999 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Actual
Projections
Source: U.S. Census Current Population Report February 1996)

Countries of Origin
While U.S. Hispanics come from various countries, they are united by a common
culture and language.
Puerto Rican
7%
Cuban
7%
Salvadoran
Mexican
5%
59%
Dominican
4%
Source: SRC 2000
Colombian
3%
Guatemalan
2%
Other
13%

Adult Place of Birth
Culturally relevant messages are also crucial to reaching U.S. Hispanic adults.
The majority are foreign-born and maintain strong ties with the culture and
traditions of their homeland.
Foreign-Born
72.0%
U.S.-Born
28.0%
Source: Strategy Research Corp.2000 U.S. Hispanic Market

Language
Nearly three-quarters of U.S. Hispanic adults prefer to speak Spanish.
Spanish
70.2%
English
17.1%
Bilingual
12.7%
Source: SRC 2000
11

Hispanic Teens

Teen Growth
Hispanic teens are anticipated to grow at a rate far outpacing U.S.
teen growth, making it critical that Hispanic teen health issues be
addressed now.
Hispanics
Teens
% Growth by
2020
7
Total US Teens
68
0 20 40 60 80
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Teen pop = 12-19 years old
& The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Teen Growth
Hispanic teens currently make up 14.3% of the total U.S. teen
population. By 2005, they will become the largest teen minority and
by 2015, 1 of every 5 teens in the US will be Hispanic.
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Hispanic Teen % Of Total US Teen Population
US Census Bureau, 12-19 years
& The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy

‣ Nickelodeon’s
bilingual Dora the
Explorer is the No. 1
pre-school show on
commercial TV.
Sabías as Que…
(Did you know…)

What are your reactions to the
information?
Did you learn something new?

New Immigration Growth Centers
Immigration Categories
Major Destinations (67% of Immigrants) (6)
New Growth States (1990-2000 > 91%) (22)
Top 10 Growth States (135-274%) (10)
All Other States (23)

A Profile of Immigrants In Arkansas

Demographics of the
Arkansas Immigrants
• Arkansas had the 4 th fastest growing immigration
population 1990-2000
• Immigrant population went from 25,000-74,000
during 1990’s
• Fastest growing Hispanic population nationwide
2000-2005
• Highest foreign-born population in Springdale,
Rogers, Fayetteville & Fort Smith

Arkansas Immigrants
by World Region of Birth: 2005
Europe
12%
Other
Regions
3%
Asia
18%
Latin America
67%
Source: Current Population Survey,
Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2003

Immigrant Families and
Children in Arkansas
• 6% of children were children of immigrants
• 66% of Hispanic children lived in
immigrant families
• 79% of Asian children lived in immigrant
families
• Children from immigrant families more
likely to live with two parents

Children Living With
Two Parents
• 85-89% for children of immigrants
• 81% for whites who are native born
• 58% for Hispanics
• 45% for Blacks

Poverty Rates
• 41% for Blacks native born
• 32-37% for all Latinos (immigrants/native)
• 23% for Native Americans
• 19% for immigrants from Europe
• 14% for white native born
• 13% for Asian immigrants

Economic Impacts of
Immigrants 2004
• Immigrant spending $2.9 billion
• $1.5 billion spent in Benton, Sebastian,
Washington and Pulaski counties
• $237 million cost of education, health, and
corrections for immigrants
• $257 million in direct and indirect tax
contributions by immigrants

Economic Impacts of
Immigrants 2004
• Labor cost savings keep Arkansas business
competitive and low prices
• Purchasing power is only partially tapped
in many localities
• Total impact of spending may increase to
$5.2 billion by 2010

Sabías as Que…
(Did you know…)
‣ According to Hallmark Cards, piñatas
are now the 2 nd most popular party
favor…balloons #1.

What are your reactions to the
information?
Did you learn something new?

Diversity and Cultural Pride
Activity

Answer the following
questions
• In a group what makes you feel safe and
comfortable?
• What is a group of people you feel
connected to?
• What is a principle, value, or belief you live
by?
• What is the most important celebration,
custom, or tradition in your family?

Exploring Culture
DEFINING CULTURE
“The body of learned beliefs, traditions,
principles, and guides for behavior that are
commonly shared among members of a particular
group. Culture serves as a roadmap for both
perceiving and interacting with the world.”
Source: Increasing Multicultural Understanding: A Comprehensive Manual,
Don C. Locke, Sage Publications, 1992.

Exploring Culture
DEFINING CULTURE
“A set of guidelines, both explicit and implicit,
which individuals inherit as members of a
particular society, and which tells them how to
view the world, how to experience it emotionally,
and how to behave in relation to other people, to
supernatural forces or gods, and the natural
environment.”
Source: Caring Across Cultures: The Provider’s Guide to Cross-Cultural
Health, The Center for Cross-Cultural Health, 2000, www.crosshealth.com

Dimension of Diversity
With respect to humans, it refers to the
many ways that humans
differ from one another

• Age
• Ethnicity
• Gender
Primary Dimensions of
Diversity
• Physical abilities/qualities
• Race
• Sexual orientation

Secondary Dimensions of
Diversity
• Educational background
• Geographic location
• Income
• Marital/relationship status
• Parental status
• Religious beliefs
• Work experience

Cross-Cultural Cultural Differences
Activity

CULTURAL NORMS &
VALUES
• Sense of self, space, and physical contact with
others
• Communication and language
• Time, timeliness, and time consciousness
• Focus on relationships, family, and friends

CULTURAL NORMS &
• Values and norms
VALUES
– Valuing individual vs. group
– Valuing conflict vs. harmony
– Beliefs about authority, control, and fate
– Adherence to prescribed gender roles
• Mental processes and learning styles

Cultural norms and values
• In which of these areas do you notice
difference between your own norms, the
norms of your organization, and the norms
of your clients?
• In which of these areas do these differences
impact your work? How?
• What can you do to acknowledge/address
the impact of these differences?

Cultural Awareness
• Knowledge about a particular group
primarily gained through reading or studies

Cultural Sensitivity
• Knowledge as well as some level of
experience with a group other than one’s
own

Cultural Competence
• The state of being capable of
functioning effectively in the
context of cultural differences
Terry Cross
NWICWA

Communication Skills

Impact of Culture On
Communication
• Incorrect assumptions about the other
• Language and communication style issues
• Biases against the unfamiliar
• Personal values in conflict
• Expectations that others will conform to
established norms

Communicating with English
Language Learners
• Make it visual
• Show and tell
• Use their language
• Take it easy
• Keep it simple
• Say it again
• Assume confusion
• Treat with dignity and respect

Getting Your Message Across
• Make observations not judgments
• Less direct – use passive voice
• Make comments impersonal – omit “YOU”
• Tell what you want – not what you don't
want

Soliciting Information
• Open-ended questions
• Closed-ended questions
• Speculative questions
• “Tell me…” statements
• “Describe…” statements

People usually forget what
you say and what you do, but
they rarely forget how you
make them feel
Michael Carrera

Cultural Variability

Contributing Factors to
Variability
• Level of Acculturation
– Familiarity with Mainstream US Culture
– Endorsement of Values
– Maintenance of Particular Lifestyle
– Choices of Social Network
– Social, economic, cultural, and political

The Impact of Acculturation
Levels

Low Acculturation Levels
• Often endure cultural marginality,
experiencing their environment as
frightening, confusing, and overwhelming.
• Often report depression, social withdrawal,
familial isolation, despair, obsessivecompulsive
behavior, hostility, anxiety, and
post-traumatic stress disorder.

High Acculturation Levels
• Associated with negative health behaviors
and mental health problems.
• Often take on negative behaviors that are
practiced in the host society – e.g. alcohol
& substance abuse to cope with stress, poor
diet, teen pregnancy, school dropout,
conduct problems, suicide.

What is the optimal end
point?
Biculturalism

Bi-Cultural Influences
The lifestyles of Hispanic adults and children are influenced, to varying
degrees, by both Hispanic & U.S. cultures. Insights into this bi-cultural
dynamic are critical for effectively reaching U.S. Hispanics.
Hispanic
Culture
U.S.
Culture
U.S. Hispanic
Bi-Cultural Lifestyle
& The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Biculturalism
• An individual maintaining his or her culture of
origin while acquiring the second culture.
• Bicultural individuals report the most adaptive
behaviors with higher levels of:
– Quality of Life
– Emotional Balance
– Psychological Adjustment
– Social Interest
– Family Commitment and Support

Involving Immigrant Families
in Schools
Barriers and challenges
• Language
• Cultural expectations
• Isolation
• Busy personal lives
• Family trauma
Gathering the Sun by Alma Flor Ada
• Lack of welcoming atmosphereIllustrated by Simón Silva

Involving Immigrant Families
Strategies for success
in Schools
• Translate; professional interpretation
• Offer orientation sessions
• Distribute bilingual parent handbooks
• Develop welcome videos
• Mentor new families
• Conduct home visits

Involving Immigrant Families
in Schools
• Draw on parents’ strengths
• Partner with other programs and agencies
• Provide adult ESL classes
• Vary time and day of parent activities
• Host social events
• Provide training for school personnel

Cultural Competence
Beliefs/Attitudes
• Aware of own culture and respects and
values different cultures
• Aware of own values and biases and how
they influence perceptions
• Flexibility when interacting with people
from different cultures

Cultural Competence
Knowledge
• Understanding of the power structure in
society and how non-dominant groups are
treated
• Acquire knowledge about different cultural
groups
• Be aware of institutional barriers that
prevent members of certain cultures from
accessing resources

Cultural Competence
Skills
• Use a variety of verbal and non-verbal
responses when dealing with differences
• Send and receive both verbal and nonverbal
messages accurately and
appropriately
• Advocate and intervene appropriately on
behalf of people from different cultures

Becoming Culturally
Competent
NEXT STEPS
Name 3 things you already do to improve your
cultural competence on a regular basis.
Name 3 new things you can realistically do to
move forward in your efforts to increase your
culture competence.

Becoming Culturally
Competent
NEXT STEPS
Name 3 people you work with (within or
outside of your organization) who you can talk to
about culture and cultural competence.
Name 3 sources (organizations, journals, web
sites) where you can go to find additional
information about culture and cultural
competence.

Be the change you want to
see in the world.
Gandhi

References
• Cultural Competence Training for HIV/STD Service Providers,
McLesky, Inger, Rice, Sandy, The Center for Health Training, Austin,
TX 1997.
• A Profile of Immigrants in Arkansas, Winthrop Rockefeller
Foundation, Little Rock, AR, April 2007.
• Enhancing Cultural Competence in Male Health Education, SenGupta,
Ira, Cross Cultural Health Care Program, Seattle Washington, 2005.
• Hispanic Research Project, The National Campaign To Prevent
Teenage Pregnancy and The Bravo Group, Washington, DC, 2000.
• The Foreign-Born Population in the United States, Population Survey,
Annual Social and Economic Supplement, US Census Bureau,
Washington, DC, 2003
• Harnessing Hispanic Health Strategies for Working with Latinos,
Gonzalez, Orlando, MedServ, Greenville, SC, 2002.

References
• Managing Diversity, Gardenswartz, Lee, Rowe, Anita, Co-published
by Business Irwin and Pfeiffer & Co. 1993.
• Involving Immigrant and Refugee Families In Their Children's
Schools: Barriers, Challenges and Successful Strategies, Illinois State
Board of Education and Illinois Department of Health and Human
Services, Illinois, 2003.
• Raising Nuestros Ninos, Raising Latino Children In a Bicultural
World, Rodriguez, Gloria, Fireside, NY, 1999.
• A Youth Leader’s Guide To Building Cultural Competence, Advocates
For Youth, Washington, DC, 1994.
• A Review of Literature on Hispanic/Latino Parent Involvement in K-12
Education, Tinkler, Barry, University of Denver, 2002.