Challenge of Cross-cultural Competency in Social Work, Experiences of Southeast Asian Refugees in the United States (Innbundet (stive permer))

Dr. Jean Schuldberg is Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Gerontology Program at California State University, Chico. She received her Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Oregon, Masters in Social Work from Indiana University, and Ed.D. in International Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco

This study evaluates the cultural competency needs in social work education from the perspective of eight social service workers from the Iu-Mien community. The National Association of Social Worker's (NASW) Code of Ethics views the acquisition of cultural competency as an ethical standard. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) mandates the teaching of cultural competency in their guidelines. Lack of cultural competency may hinder social workers' ability to advocate, help broker resources, and support the strengths of individuals and communities. The perspective of social workers' cultural competency from recipients of service or workers from non-dominant groups in the United States has not been researched. Participatory research, which involves collaborative dialogues between the researcher and participant(s), is the methodology for this study. Most Iu-Mien adults, primarily refugees from Laos, have experienced contact with social workers in the United States. Social service workers from the Iu-Mien community have the unique position of having received services and, now, providing them.This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the social-historical aspects of the Iu-Mien people, cultural competency needs and recommendations for social work education and practice, and the presentation of the development of a qualitative research study. "Social work educators and students will find this book a wonderful tool".

List of Tables; Preface by Tony Waters; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Cultural Competency: Social Work in a Culturally Diverse Society; 2. A Historical Background of Southeast Asian Refugees; 3. Cultural Aspects of the Iu-Mien People; 4. Social Work Education: The Training of Extension Agents?; 5. Participatory Research: Social Work Values Exemplified; 6. The Participants; 7. Critical Reflections of the Participants; 8. Summary: "Our Pain is Because of Grief"; Glossary; References; Index.