ERIC Number: EJ887270
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Aug
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1547-1888
EISSN: N/A
Challenges of Providing Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services: Perspectives of Early Intervention Professionals in a Northeastern Metropolitan City
Lee, Hwa; Zhang, Chun; Schwartz, Barbara
Multiple Voices for Ethnically Diverse Exceptional Learners, v9 n1 p1-11 Aug 2006
Because of the recent demographic changes, early intervention (EI) professionals are more likely to interact with increasing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children and families. A challenge in providing effective EI services is the lack of personnel from CLD backgrounds and lack of knowledge, understanding, and sensitivity to cultural and linguistic diversity in the existing personnel serving young children and families from CLD backgrounds. This study examined challenges and barriers to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Professionals working directly with families of young children in EI programs in a northeastern metropolitan city were recruited to participate in a survey to share their perspectives and experiences regarding working with CLD families. Respondents described the nature of barriers and the strategies they used to provide effective services. It appears that professionals need multidimensional institutional support to provide effective and quality early intervention services to CLD families. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Early Intervention, Young Children, Barriers, Performance Factors, Caregiver Attitudes, Child Caregivers, Related Services (Special Education), Educational Strategies, Caseworker Approach, Needs Assessment, Culturally Relevant Education, Linguistics, Ethnic Diversity
Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners, Council for Exceptional Children. 1110 North Glebe Road Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201. Tel: 888-232-7733; Fax: 703-264-9494; e-mail: multiplevoices1@austin.utexas.edu; Web site: http://www.cec.sped.org/ddel
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A