Answer

Engagement

In my role as a social worker, I will employ culturally-appropriate strategies to provide services as well as interact with Hispanic children and families. Fundamental strategies will include resolving language barriers through use of language interpreters and by identifying my implicit bias and preformed opinion about the community so as to shield it from impacting on my work. It is important to note that implicit biases tend to exist outside the realm of conscious awareness; hence, may be difficult to remedy and/or acknowledge (McElfish et al., 2017).  In addition, I have to take into account that migrant Hispanic children and families are likely to have experienced stress, marginalization and/or poverty (Helms et al., 2015). Therefore, my strategies should also address issues such as stress, marginalization and/or poverty among Hispanic children and families. In addition, I would have to avoid stereotypes, either positive or negative, in order to better work effectively with Hispanic children and families (McElfish et al., 2017).

On the other hand, I have to work closely in person with the community so as to identify community leaders and informants. Community leaders and informants will be critical in identifying persons in need of social services, engagement of selected families and children in the program, improving trust relationship between community members and social workers, and perhaps, they may act as language interpreters. In addition, community leaders and informants may help inform social workers about community’s cultural values, beliefs, practices, and norms, which must be observed in order to provide culturally competent services. 

My belief in existence of God, perception that family is a fundamental importance, gender equality, open-mindedness, and respect for all persons may affect my relationships with persons different from me, perhaps, in a good way. However, gender equality values may not work against me in families in which a man is the sole decision-maker in the family. Lastly, but not the least, I would have to avoid common stereotypes and biases about Hispanic community since it may hinder me from providing culturally competent services.