100736: Working with African American Clients

About the Course:

This course is based on 2 articles. Article 1 ( Afrocentric Approaches to Working with African-American Families ) Developing interventions that produce positive results for African American individuals and families continues to be a priority in the field of human services. This article begins with a review of the literature regarding Afrocentrism and the underlying tenets of Afrocentric thought. The work continues with a discussion of the cultural connections between African Americans and their African roots. It is those long-held traditions, behaviors, and values that make Afrocentric interventions relevant and appropriate for use with African Americans today. Descriptions of successful interventions that use Afrocentric methods to work with African American populations and suggestions for ways in which further intervention could be put into practice are given. Finally, implications for human services practice and policy are outlined. (Article 2 Empowering African Americans through Social Work Practice: Integrating an Afrocentric Perspective, Ego Psychology, and Spirituality ) This article discusses the important implications for using an integrated social work practice approach that includes concept from an Afrocentric perspective, ego psychology, spirituality, and empowerment, when working with African Americans. Because of African Americans’ unique history and value system, social workers may require specialized training in practice approaches that are sensitive to African American culture. By integrating core concepts from an Afrocentric perspective, ego psychology, empowerment, and spirituality, the authors provide a culturally competent, practical social work approach that facilitates and furthers the well-being of African Americans. COURSE SYLLABUS See Course Description above

Publication Date:

2004/ Vol. 85, No. 2

Authors

Pearl E. Stewart, PhD, MSSA; Maxwell C. Manning, PhD; Llewellyn J. Cornelius; Joshua Nosa Okundaye

About the Authors:

(Article 1) Dept. of Human Ecology Montclair State University

(Article 2) School of Social Work Howard University

(Article 2)

(Article 2)

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about working with African Americans. It is appropriate for participants with all levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Describe a culturally competent social work approach for facilitating the empowerment of African Americans.

2. Describe successful interventions that use Afrocentric methods and describe suggestions for further including Afrocentric perspectives in interventions.

3. Identify underlying tenets of Afrocentric thought.