Enhancing Social Work Practice with Ethnic Minority Youth

Abstract

Social workers have the task of addressing issues that are unique to ethnic minority youth in clinical practice; however, they may be ill equipped to begin practice with these youth due to a lack of specificity within generalist curricula. Using African-American youth as an example, the paper provides evidence that there are critical areas of development and functioning that diverge from the generalist perspective. Social workers are provided with strategies to fill gaps in their knowledge of ethnic-minority youth to enhance their direct practice with this population.

Missing the Mark: The Image of the Social Work Profession in an African-American Community

“…This is also worth noting considering the stated emphasis and focus that the social work profession has adopted to work with minority populations, specifically African-Americans (Basham, 2004). This finding may also explain why social workers do not have more treatment or intervention success than other mental health professionals who do not have as much emphasis or focus on diversity and diversity issues (Ayalon & Young, 2005;Johnson et al, 2004;Lindsey et al, 2006).…”

“…Due to the unique history of oppression and discrimination of African-Americans in the United States, a considerable body of social work education and practice has been dedicated to this community (Bowie & Hancock, 2000;Johnson, Davis & Williams, 2004;Le-Doux, 1996). However, there has been very little discussion about the perceptions of African-Americans regarding the efficacy and image of the social work profession.…”

“…Despite these specialized programs, strong historical ties to the struggle of African-Americans, and emphasis on social justice (defined as an ideal condition in which all members of a society have the same basic rights, protections, opportunities, obligations, and social benefits; Lee & Barrett, 2007), social work as a profession, like other helping professions, continues to be unclear about how to best meet the needs of the African-American community (Ayalon & Young, 2005;Johnson et al, 2004;Lindsey et al, 2006).…”

An Ecological Approach to Examining Cumulative Violence Exposure Among Urban, African American Adolescents

“…As social workers committed to working effectively with youths and advocating for larger systems changes on their behalf, we must work together to address these interlocking issues. We need to begin comprehensively assessing for violence exposure across different systems among poor urban youths, and we must develop culturally congruent nonstigmatizing services in accessible settings (e.g., community and recreational settings, churches, comprehensive health clinics) that can effectively address the trauma related to chronic, cumulative violence exposure (González 2005;Johnson et al 2004). Finally, we must work together with community leaders to address structural problems such as segregation and discrimination, poverty, community violence, and lack of access to high-quality schools and employment.…”

Exploring the unknown aspects of Roma community in Cyprus and the role of social work practice

“…In addition, social workers, educators, health professionals and other involved parties have to be knowledgeable of the characteristics that make the population at-risk for negative outcomes (Johnson, Davis, & Williams, 2004). Understanding the ethnic reality of marginalised Roma communities constitutes particularly important knowledge for the social work profession.…”