[Yessenia bautista]

Cross Cultural Skills:

Cross- cultural skills are important in the human service field as Sheryl Brissett Chapman mentioned. An intersectional perspective and approach allows us to target the needs of marginalized and vulnerable populations. In order to support these populations, its important to include their narrative and cultural background. In order to do so, we must recognize our personal biases and stereotypes in a population.

Family Rights:

This article made me self-reflect on how far we’ve come in terms of laws amongst the LGBT+ community. However, it also shows how far away we are from acheiving the goal of equity amongst this population with marriage and children. It is shocking to note that it is illegal in some states for same-sex couples to adopt. In the United States alone, there are millions of children who are in need of a home. I’m interested in reading the research done amongst same- sex couples compared to heterosexual couples.

[Olatunji McEwen]

Astor Services For Children & Family: This is a community based non-profit organization that services children and family with educational and mental health services. I am very much inspired by the personal commitment made by the staff to serve with care, respect and professionalism and their philosophy which is providing care holistically, nurture the minds, strengthen the body and inspire the spirit of each child in their core. “Every child deserves a childhood.” According to James McGuirk Executive Director & CEO “Whatever the community needs we will be their for them.”

Out of Darkness the story of Mary Ellen Wilson case: Mary Ellen Wilson case shed lights on the fact that child abuse has been a problem since time in memory and that in as much as we have made a lot progress on this issue there is more needs to be done. It also made clear that the fight against child abuse should be a concerted effort. It should not be left solely in the hands of the child protective services. It should be a concern for every citizen regardless of their status in society.

Cross-Cultural Skills: This article reveals the reality and facts that the efficiency and success of Human Services professionals in this age is highly dependent on their ability to develop their cross cultural skills and the application of such skills into practice. Cross Cultural Skills is very significant because “Cultural perspective are shared over multiple generations and may persist despite significant opportunities for integration, acculturation and assimilation.” In light of this reality as a Human Services professionals if you are to serve diverse population, you must enhance your competence in Cross-Cultural skills. As Human Services professionals we must embrace, genuinely respect and appreciate the diverse cultural identities we may encounter.