115-01: Development of Collaborative Practices With Resettled Refugee Populations

In this symposium we will describe case examples of development of university-community collaborations to increase access to family therapy services in two marginalized, under-served populations exposed to trauma and systemic injustice– resettled refugees and low income families of color. Our papers will describe:  a. Cultivating partnerships with local agencies to co-locate services in the community; b. building relationships with the credible, cultural messengers to meet the specific needs of the community; and c. building capacity by training the next generations of family therapists equipped to meet emerging challenges in communities.  Challenges and rewards of building collaborations and working with community agencies will also be discussed.  Suggestions for other family therapy training programs to co-locate clinical services in communities will be provided.

Objectives

- To demonstrate the effectiveness of university-community collaborations to address gaps in clinical practice.
- To analyze challenges and rewards of co-locating clinical services in community agencies.
- To evaluate the influence of community collaborations in promoting family therapy training and research opportunities.

Keywords: marginalized populations, mental health, family systems

115-02: Collaborative Practices With Low-Income, Inner City Families of Color

In this symposium we will describe case examples of development of university-community collaborations to increase access to family therapy services in two marginalized, under-served populations exposed to trauma and systemic injustice– resettled refugees and low income families of color. Our papers will describe:  a. Cultivating partnerships with local agencies to co-locate services in the community; b. building relationships with the credible, cultural messengers to meet the specific needs of the community; and c. building capacity by training the next generations of family therapists equipped to meet emerging challenges in communities.  Challenges and rewards of building collaborations and working with community agencies will also be discussed.  Suggestions for other family therapy training programs to co-locate clinical services in communities will be provided.

Objectives

- To demonstrate the effectiveness of university-community collaborations to address gaps in clinical practice.
- To analyze challenges and rewards of co-locating clinical services in community agencies.
- To evaluate the influence of community collaborations in promoting family therapy training and research opportunities.

Keywords: marginalized populations, mental health, family systems