There has been growing attention to spirituality, religiosity, and the Black Church in relation to African Americans' mental health. As such, scholars are increasingly recognizing the influence Black churches have in the lives of African Americans and call for collaborative partnerships between mental health professionals and predominantly Black…

This update of the Framework for Action highlights the continuing relevance of its message as well as those raised by Valuing People Now. People with learning difficulties and their families from Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities have been highlighted as a priority group by Valuing People since 2001 and remain a priority for better…

A practicum was conducted to address the problem of medical exclusion of kindergarteners in a Chicago elementary school serving black, low income children. In order to comply with the state health law, all students entering school for the first time must show evidence of a current physical examination and up-to-date immunizations. Students not in…

This article describes a community-based approach to health promotion planning and intervention implemented by the Health Promotion Resource Center at Morehouse School of Medicine. The community organization and development model implemented was designed to empower an urban Black community neighborhood to become more self-reliant in addressing…

Discusses problem of low rates of immunization for African American children and identifies ways social workers can play a role in ensuring more immunizations. Improving access to existing public programs, facilitating community organization efforts, assisting communities through self-help and mutual-aid initiatives, and supporting national…

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is undisputedly the most significant public health problem facing the Black community today. From the outset, it was apparent that the disease disproportionately affected Blacks. In 1981, when AIDS was first identified, 21.5 percent of the first 107 cases were Blacks and Hispanics. This report discusses…

Describes the culturally sophisticated community mobilization and educational strategies used to develop, implement, and evaluate a cholesterol education, screening, and referral intervention that effectively elicited the participation of underserved African Americans traditionally unresponsive to such efforts. The paper presents recommendations…

The Medical University of South Africa (Medunsa) was founded to address underrepresentation of blacks in health professions and inadequate health care in the homelands. It trains most allied health professionals in the country, emphasizing community service and preventive medicine. Medunsa and American health professions schools can learn from…

Specific strategies for incorporating information relevant to the effects of racism and ageism in our society into the curricula of social work programs are described. Participant observer roles, development of a resource book, information networks, health, mental health, and housing service areas are discussed. (MLW)

This double issue of the journal "Report" focuses on the collaboration among seven social service systems that support and serve children and families. Each of the sections discusses one of the seven systems, presents an overview essay, and profiles programs that execute the service. The first section, on education, emphasizes linkages…

The problems of rural children are discussed. Rural children are threatened by many of the same social and health problems that urban children face, complicated by distance, which affects access to health care and other services. Recommendations are made to assure that rural children receive the services they need. (SLD)

During 1985 the Colorado Migrant Education Program and the Colorado Migrant Health Program provided a comprehensive health program for students enrolled in migrant summer schools. A total of 1,889 migrant children through age 21 (60% between 5 and 10 years of age) received health screening and physical assessment, referral for diagnosis and…

For organizations providing support to mental health consumers, "cultural competency," or the ability to reach out effectively and appropriately to individuals of different cultural backgrounds, is central to meeting the needs of a diverse community. The Cultural Competency Initiative, which was launched in the year 2000, assisted…

Factors contributing to the gap between white health status and black health status include the following: (1) a lack of culturally sensitive health information; (2) denial by blacks of early warning signs of disease; (3) delays by blacks in seeking care; and (4) decreased access of blacks to high quality health care. (SLD)

This handbook presents the essential components of a comprehensive family service system for low-income families. It shows, through the documentation and description of two low-income African American communities over 4 years of development work, the types of information that should be collected about community functioning so that informed…