Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Families Research Articles

Engaging Families from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Virtual Individualized Education Program Meetings

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education in a multitude of ways. During this time, school districts struggled to provide students with disabilities access to services and supports under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). School personnel were required to continue holding meetings to review students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) yet did not always have the resources and skills to do so. The increased digital divide between culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families and their White counterparts posed additional challenges for them, such as access to technology and lack of experience with various technology tools. Although this expedited the need for culturally responsive virtual IEP meetings, this option should continue to be provided outside of pandemic contexts. Therefore, it is critical for teachers to facilitate virtual IEP meetings creating spaces where CLD families can participate as equal partners. Utilizing the tenets of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (CRP) can help this endeavor. This article explains several recommendations for teachers and school personnel to create identity-honoring, culturally responsive IEP meetings in virtual spaces.

Dis-labeling the Ables: The Overrepresentation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students Receiving Special Education Services

There are significant changes in the education system’s demographics due to the increased immigration into the United States. A growing demographic has unique characteristics and academic needs for educators to recognize. This lack of understanding often causes the misidentification of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students as having special educational needs. The present research examined the factors contributing to the overrepresentation of CLD students receiving special education services in an urban school district in the Midwestern United States. Through a qualitative phenomenological study of six CLD families regarding their perceptions of their children’s evaluation for special education services, three themes emerged: inaccurate screenings, grade retention, and parental lack of awareness of special education services. Based on these findings, this research calls for preparing teachers to provide culturally responsive services, carefully identifying culturally and linguistically diverse students, and educating CLD parents about special education services in their native language.

Interpreter use in sustained nurse home visiting: interpreter experience and support

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore the experiences of healthcare interpreters working with child and family health nurses (CFHNs) in providing child and family health nursing (CFHN) services and sustained nurse home visiting (SNHV) programs to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families with limited English proficiency.MethodsA mixed methods longitudinal research design was conducted to develop, implement and evaluate a training and practice support model for healthcare interpreters working with nurses and CALD families in providing CFHN services and SNHV programs in three major local health services in Sydney, Australia. One pre-training survey with 24 healthcare interpreters was conducted; field notes were recorded during training and implementation; and a post-implementation focus group with six healthcare interpreters was conducted. Quantitative survey data were analysed descriptively using Alchemer. The focus group was audio-recorded for transcription purposes, and this and the field notes were thematically analysed applying a socioecological framework.ResultsThree themes were identified from the initial, pre-training survey: facilitate communication and delivery accurately; a bridge linking the clients and the healthcare practitioners; and make everybody feel comfortable. Practice support implementation was negatively impact by system and COVID-19 related barriers. Four themes were developed from evaluative phase of the study including: system-related issues; interpreters’ challenges; working with nurses; and client session related issues.ConclusionQuality interpreting was favourably influenced by adequate time for interpreting the session including a pre- and post-briefing session with CFHNs, an appropriate mode of interpretation, allocation of female interpreters and the same interpreters with CALD mothers and clarity about interpreter role and cultural comfort. These strategies support the quality of communication and relationships in delivery of CFHN services and SNHV programs to CALD mothers with limited English proficiency.

Using Technology to Coach Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families in the Behavior Intervention Plan Process: Embedding Funds of Knowledge

The COVID-19 pandemic made the use of technology across K-12 schools mandatory and ubiquitous. This sudden shift in teaching and learning highlighted educational disparities and created service disruptions for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with disabilities. One disruption, in particular, is the provision of behavioral interventions for CLD students with emotional and behavioral needs while learning at home. Unfortunately, families are often not equipped with the skills and knowledge to implement these interventions, and CLD families need coaching that is responsive to their cultural and linguistic needs. Therefore, in this article, we describe a process that includes (a) funds of knowledge as a framework to challenge teacher perceptions of CLD families by highlighting their cultural and cognitive resources, (b) family coaching using funds of knowledge framework and online tools, (c) key components prior to behavior intervention plan (BIP) development, and (d) a step-by-step description of how the BIP can be developed and implemented at home with CLD families using this coaching model.

Beyond the Dotted Line: Empowering Parents From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families to Participate

Parent participation in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process is a critical factor in improving the effectiveness of children’s special education programs and services. However, many families, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds, are unfamiliar with the IEP process and their rights under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For families with young children with special needs in preschool, this process may be even more daunting when they may have just transitioned from early intervention services to the school system. The article will focus on the critical need for early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers to support and empower families to become active participants in their child’s IEP. The article will 1) examine the importance of cultural self-awareness in developing collaborative relationships with families, 2) discuss supports for CLD families, and 3) provide an easy-to-follow checklist for ECSE teachers as they support and empower CLD families to become active participants in their children’s IEP.

Clinicians' and Managers' Views and Experiences of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Service Provision for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families of Young Children With Hearing Loss.

This study aimed to gather the views and experiences of clinicians and managers on early intervention audiology and speech-language pathology services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families of children with hearing loss. This qualitative descriptive study involved 27 semistructured interviews with audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and managers working with CALD families of young children with hearing loss. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants from three hearing centers working with these families. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Analysis of the data resulted in five themes: (a) There were perceived added complexities for CALD families in accessing and being involved in services and receiving information; (b) there were perceived family-provider relationship complexities, cultural differences, and service delivery challenges in working with CALD families; (c) clinicians and managers used various strategies for service provision of CALD families; (d) involving interpreters benefited service provision but was challenging at times; and (e) looking to the future and recommendations for clinical practice. Current practices reflect some principles of family-centered care for CALD families of young children with hearing loss. Families and services may benefit from more support regarding family-provider partnerships, information materials and child assessments, working with interpreters, and center support for time and resources. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20044427.

Partnering with immigrant families to promote language justice and equity in education.

Despite USfederal legislation mandates institutions to provide meaningful access and participation to students and families in educational settings, culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families and caregivers of children in special education experience cultural and linguistic barriers. A Community Advisory Team (CAT) of parents, advocates, community interpreters and translators, researchers, and teachers explored CLD families' experiences and advocacy efforts. Critical bifocality and circuits of dispossession, privilege, and resistance informed the documentation of inequities and resistance to understand the linkages of structural arrangements of power. Focus groups with families (n = 21) speakers of Spanish, Portuguese, and Cantonese were conducted. Findings indicate perceived discrimination, poor and inadequate interpretation and translation services impact children's access to special education services, hinder family's communication with schools and reduce the perceptions of schools as trustworthy institutions. Families advocate relentlessly for their children and recommend schools listen to families and hire culturally and linguistically competent interpreters and translators. Community psychologists can make significant contributions to promote language justice in education settings through participatory approaches to inquiry that value CLD families' knowledge and expertise.

Sustained nurse home-visiting with culturally and linguistically diverse families: Australian nurses' perspectives.

In Australia, sustained nurse home-visiting (SNHV) programs are designed and implemented to promote positive outcomes for mothers with young children experiencing complex life challenges. Despite the crucial role of trained public health nurses, there is a dearth of research about their experiences delivering these programs to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families with limited English proficiency (LEP). This study aimed to explore the experiences of public health nurses in providing services to CALD families with LEP. Two focus groups were conducted with 13 public health nurses in two major local health districts in Sydney. The focus groups were audio recorded for transcription purposes, and thematically analyzed. A socioecological framework was applied during the analysis process. Five major themes were identified: (1) program issues; (2) service system issues in understanding and responding to diverse women; (3) issues working with interpreters; (4) trusting relationships; and (5) mother-related facilitators. To achieve better access and engagement for CALD families, it is crucial that public health nurses increase their knowledge and awareness about potential challenges, such as female interpreter availability, and facilitators, such as engaging the broader family, in order to effectively deliver healthcare services to diverse populations.

Language accessibility in allied healthcare for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families of young children with chronic health conditions: a qualitative systematic review

ABSTRACT This review synthesized recent qualitative research evidence on language accessibility in early intervention allied health services in the context of providing family-centred care (FCC) for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families of children with chronic health conditions. A search was conducted using nine bibliographic databases, and hand-searching. 11,888 articles were screened and assessed; 15 articles were then included. Analysis of data from these articles resulted in four themes: service delivery barriers in working with CALD families, clinicians’ use of individualized strategies and interventions, benefits and challenges in involving interpreters, and recommendations for clinical practice. Current practices regarding language accessibility reflect FCC principles of family strengths, individualized family services, and the family-professional relationship; however, the principle of family choice was not always reflected. Greater language accessibility was achieved by clinicians using strategies to facilitate communication, using language-appropriate resources, and by families and professionals working in partnership.

More than play: The impact of playgroup participation on culturally and linguistically diverse parents’ and carers’ degree of social support, connectedness and self-efficacy

Supported playgroups are a common form of intervention offered in Australian early childhood education. This study used interviews and quantitative measures to examine whether attending supported playgroups benefits culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) parents’ or carers’ social support, connectedness, and parental self-efficacy (PSE). Thirty-five playgroup attendees completed three validated measures assessing social support, isolation, and PSE. Seven mothers, two carers, and two playgroup staff participated in semistructured interviews. The quantitative and qualitative data indicated that CALD parents and carers show high levels of isolation and low social support. The qualitative data indicated that most parents or carers felt more supported and connected as a result of attending the playgroup, and just over half stated that the playgroup had improved their confidence. This study highlights the need to consider the social resources of CALD families when planning and delivering services, and calls for future longitudinal studies of the benefits of playgroups.

“Improving Access to Early Childhood Developmental Surveillance for Children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Background”

Introduction:Developmental vulnerabilities in pre-school aged children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds with low English proficiency are less likely to be identified through universal developmental surveillance. Barriers include low parental health literacy and low rates of attendance to mainstream child and family health services. Late detection of developmental vulnerabilities can have lifelong impacts on life trajectory.Method:Integrated outreach early childhood developmental surveillance was trialled in South East Sydney by local health services with non-government organisations (NGO) delivering early childhood education and support. NGO staff were trained in Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), a validated developmental screening tool to explore parental/carer and provider concerns [1]. Families with children identified with developmental concerns by NGO staff were referred to co-located or visiting Child and Family Health Nurses (CFHN), community child health, speech pathology or developmental services for developmental screening, assessment and/or care planning.Results:Integrated health and NGO services improved access to developmental surveillance for CALD families in a non-threatening environment enabled by co-locating CFHN, or through visits by paediatric medical/speech pathology staff to participating playgroups.Conclusions and discussion:Integration supported vulnerable families from CALD backgrounds to access developmental surveillance through child and family health services but required flexibility and adjustments by all involved.

Caring for a family member with intellectual disability into old age: Applying the sociocultural stress and coping model to Italian and Greek migrants in Australia.

Little is known about how older parent caregivers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds experience caring for their family member with intellectual disability into late life. In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with N=19 family caregivers aged 50-91 from ten Italian and four Greek families. The Sociocultural Stress and Coping Model was used as a framework to interpret their experiences. A number of stressors including the need to make sacrifices, physical and emotional demands, uncertain futures and challenges associated with "the system" were identified. While family members play a key role in providing support, changing values around filial responsibility were evident. Further attention needs to be given to CALD families to address challenges associated with caring for their family member with intellectual disabilities as they age. This study also challenges assumptions that CALD families prefer to keep caring within the family long-term.

Engaging Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families of Children with Disabilities

Classrooms are increasingly more diverse, and student success can be enhanced through family engagement, especially for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with disabilities. Too often teachers are stymied by how to engage CLD families of children with disabilities. Common practices of parent involvement are ineffective and fail to appreciate families as members of the educational team. Family engagement seeks to establish and maintain authentic family-school partnerships based on mutual respect and shared agency for student academic and social success. This column provides specific family engagement strategies that teachers and schools can implement in an effort to provide reciprocal collaboration.

Awakening a critical consciousness among multidisciplinary professionals supporting culturally and linguistically diverse families: a pilot study on the impact of professional development

ABSTRACTIn an increasingly globalised world there is need for professionals involved in providing services to children and families to be culturally competent. This pilot study explores the impact of attending a multidisciplinary professional development workshop based on the Six Principles of Culturally Competent Practice [Verdon, S. (2015a). Embracing diversity, creating equality: Supporting the speech, language and communication of culturally and linguistically diverse children (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia] upon professionals’ cultural competence. There were 52 participants who completed pre-workshop questionnaires and post-workshop evaluations. Of these, two participated in in-depth follow-up interviews one year later to discuss the ongoing impact of professional development upon their practice. Pre-workshop, major challenges identified for working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families were cultural and language barriers, and working with interpreters. After completing the workshop, participants reported gaining knowledge about engaging in holistic practice, their personal cultural competence and the culture of families they worked with. Interviews conducted one year later revealed the workshop had an ongoing impact upon practice in four key areas: (1) knowing the family (2) organisational structures (3) collaborative practice and (4) the ongoing nature of cultural competence. This article discusses the complexities of teaching cultural competence, problematic issues in conceptualisation and the efficacy of such workshops in developing a critical consciousness among professionals to engage in culturally responsive practice with CALD families.

Parent Engagement in the Transition From School to Adult Life Through Culturally Sustaining Practices: A Scoping Review.

The increasingly diverse population in the United States calls for schools to address the breadth of cultural histories students bring with them to the classroom. High school students with disabilities are also diverse in terms of cultural histories, race, ethnicities, religions, and citizenship. These factors intersect as families engage in planning for the transition to adulthood. A requisite for culturally diverse families with young adults who receive services under the educational category of intellectual disability (ID) are school professionals who can meaningfully collaborate. This review of literature from peer-reviewed journals seeks to understand if culturally responsive practices are utilized with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families during transition planning. This review also explored whether culturally sustaining practices strengthen partnerships between teachers and CLD families and adolescents with disabilities, including those with ID. Implications are associated with how teachers can perceive diversity from a strengths perspective as a vital component of transition planning.

District Implementation of Research-Based Practices for Transition Planning With Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Youth With Disabilities and Their Families

Post-school outcomes are poor for youth with disabilities, in general, but even more discouraging for certain subpopulations of individuals with disabilities, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds. The authors discuss structural inequalities in public schools which potentially contribute to the poorer transition outcomes of CLD youth with disabilities compared with their White peers with disabilities and identify 11 research-based practices (RBPs) for supporting CLD youth with disabilities and their families during the transition planning process. A study is subsequently described involving the development and implementation of a survey measuring the degree to which these 11 RBPs are being implemented in public school districts. The survey was administered during 2011 to 2016 to interdisciplinary transition teams representing more than 90 school districts in the United States who were attending state capacity-building transition services training institutes. Group consensus was sought on the 11 items appearing on the survey. Results from the study found that most school districts were not implementing any of the RBPs to any significant degree, school staff were in need of cultural competence professional development training, CLD families of transition-aged youth with disabilities lacked access to quality resources and supports, and CLD youth with disabilities lacked opportunities to strengthen their self-determination skills. Implications for practice and future research on this topic is presented and discussed.

Reaching out to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families: Strategies and Challenges Reported by Parent Training and Information Center Staff

ABSTRACTWithin special education policy and practice, parents are expected to advocate for their children to receive appropriate special education and related services. However, the majority of parents report feeling disempowered to advocate; families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds may feel especially disempowered. Federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) exist in each state to empower historically underserved (including CLD) parents of children with disabilities. In this study, we examined how PTIs educate and empower CLD families through semi-structured interviews with 13 PTI staff members who work with CLD families across five states. The participants emphasized the importance of strategies such as conducting outreach in local communities and developing parent leaders among the CLD families they support. The findings also indicated that PTIs struggle with addressing external, systemic barriers which influence CLD families. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Development of a model of dementia support and pathway for culturally and linguistically diverse communities using co-creation and participatory action research

ObjectiveTo develop an inclusive model of culturally sensitive support, using a specialist dementia nurse (SDN), to assist people with dementia from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and their carers...

Using Learning Labs for Culturally Responsive Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

Culturally responsive positive behavioral interventions and supports (CRPBIS) is a statewide research project designed to renovate behavioral support systems to become more inclusive, adaptive, and supportive for all. The CRPBIS methodology, called learning lab, provides a research-based process to bring together local stakeholders and facilitates their authentic participation in problem solving. Learning lab addresses the outcome disparities for youth from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds and strategically includes CLD families and students and representatives from community-based organizations. Learning labs were found to successfully create and sustain productive partnerships among local stakeholders that renovated their school discipline systems. The purpose of this article is to provide specific guidelines and key considerations for practitioners on how to implement learning labs to facilitate authentic and productive family–school–community collaboration and systemic transformation in schools.

Transition of culturally and linguistically diverse youth with disabilities: Challenges and opportunities

Youth with disabilities who come from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds have markedly poorer adult life transition outcomes compared to White youth with disabilities. This article explores the literature on transition outcomes of youth with disabilities who are White, Hispanic, and African American and argues that high numbers of CLD youth with disabilities are likely to be on the caseloads of transition services personnel now and in the future. Statistics from the U.S Census bureau are cited to substantiate this argument. Transition literature discussing challenges faced by CLD families and youth with disabilities is reviewed, along with practical and useful suggestions on how to engage in more culturally responsive transition assessment, planning, and educational programming with this unique population.