NCJ Number
137782
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Dated: (July-August 1992) Pages: 291-305
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article identifies factors contributing to the difficulties in developing ethnically sensitive training for child protective services workers, examines existing frameworks to train for ethnic sensitivity, proposes a new approach for training CPS caseworkers, and discusses implications of this approach for CPS training and practice.
Abstract
Challenges in CPS training regarding ethnic sensitivity include knowledge deficits, needed skills, and attitudinal biases. While most approaches to social work practice are consistent with current understandings of cultural, class, racial, and ethnic diversity, in reality many agencies have difficulty relating to clients from various ethnic groups. The proposed approach builds on Lum's process-stage phases; incorporates the three major components of attitudes, knowledge, and skills building; and considers the importance of cross-cultural interactions between workers and clients. Using the proposed training approach to ethnically sensitive assessment, CPS workers can develop a systematic way to teach cross-cultural issues in different phases of practice. 1 figure and 33 references (Author abstract modified)