The need for a direct service program for Haitian Americans with mental retardation was never proven before until a survey was conducted in 1993 by Beacon Hill Multicultural Psychological Association. According to this survey, among other obstacles which include language, anxiety about immigration status, and culturally conditioned beliefs, lack of knowledge is the single most important barrier to receiving services. And even from those who have received services through the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), half of them (50%) found DMR services only "somewhat" helpful, or not helpful at all (Haitian Outreach Project Report, July 1993). The Haitian Family Support Program was then created in 1994 to respond to these challenges: What kind of impact may a bilingual and bicultural direct service program exert on the lives of the Haitian American mentally challenged? What opportunities may such a program provide f or immigrant populations with disabilities? A family-driven case management intervention approach with the creation of a family governing board and the use of bilingual and bicultural staff has paved the way to the development of a family support group. The organization of socio-cultural events, and the establishment of a comprehensive job training program for MR young adults (age 22 & up) through a Self Determination demonstration project of Robert Wood Johnson in 1998. Over the past 5 year, the Haitian Family Support Program has reached seventy families with children mentally challenged, living in the Greater Boston area.
Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how respect of cultural values and norms, family empowerment, and community inclusion facilitates access to services 2. the dissemination of knowledge and improves the quality of life for Haitian Americans with mental retardation
Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Immigrants
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Haitian American Public Health Initiative
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.