Refugee Communities: Social and Practical Implication for Service Providers

Level: Advanced Practice – Lineworker

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: New and current child welfare personnel and community partners who come into contact with refugee families and want to understand the plight of refugees and learn culturally competent practices to effectively work with them

Intended Objectives:

• To provide a definition and historical overview of internally displaced people (IDP’s) and refugees
• To learn about the refugee experience and the challenges refugees face in the U.S.
• To learn about the various ethnic groups of refugees represented in the U.S.
• To learn practices of African and Middle Eastern cultures
• To gain knowledge of culturally competent practices to serve refugee families and communities

Topics Include:

• An overview of the historical background of the refugee
  The role of culture in society
• Experiencing the refugee experience
• Cultural competency in working with refugees
• An overview of African and Middle Eastern culture including gender roles, extended family practices, child rearing practices and changing roles and culture while in the U.S.

CalSWEC Competencies Addressed:

1.1 Student demonstrates sensitivity to clients’ differences in culture, ethnicity and sexual orientation

1.2 Student demonstrates the ability to conduct an ethnically and culturally sensitive assessment of a child and family and to develop an appropriate intervention plan

1.3 Student understands the importance of a clients’ primary language and supports it’s use in providing child welfare assessment and intervention services

1.4 Student understands the influence and values of traditional, culturally based child rearing practices and uses this knowledge in working with families

1.5 Student demonstrates ability to collaborate with individuals, groups, community based organizations, and government agencies to advocate for equitable access to culturally sensitive resources and services

5.1 Student demonstrates knowledge of legal, socioeconomic, and psychosocial issues facing immigrants and refugees and is able to devise sensitive and appropriate interventions