Public school closures and the provision of occupational therapy services during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed inequities and barriers that affect Latinx families’ and children’s access to resources. In Massachusetts, many students receiving occupational therapy services may have missed mandated and necessary occupational therapy services due to systemic barriers and the lack of skills to advocate for their needs. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) may have lacked the self-efficacy and ability to facilitate the families’ advocacy. Culturally appropriate evidence-based interventions are needed to serve Latinx families and their children and prevent them from being underserved. A literature review identified that OTPs might not have the necessary skills to work effectively with culturally diverse groups. This skills gap reduces the OTPs’ ability to provide culturally appropriate interventions and holistic care to Latinx children and their families. A proposed solution to this problem is the 6-month, theory- and evidence-based I AM. Intercultural Advocacy and Mentoring Program: Increasing Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Advocacy Skills in Collaboration With Latinx Families With Young Children for OTPs who work with Latinx families and children. The program aims to promote OTPs’ self-efficacy, cultural humility, and rapport- and trust-building skills. The I AM Program will ensure professionals working with Latinx families and children practice cultural humility, thus enhancing services for the client and building strong, trusting relationships and thriving communities.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/46173 |
| Date | 05 May 2023 |
| Creators | Nascimento, Jennifer |
| Contributors | Villegas, Nicole |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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