Culture and health intensives - PM

Over the past 15 years, there has been a vast influx of Somali refugees and immigrants making their new homes in the United States and Minnesota, with the overwhelming majority residing in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. While official estimates indicate that approximately 25,000 Somalis are in Minnesota, it is well accepted that there are 50,000—75,000 or more. Since Minnesota has welcomed African immigrants, family members who live in other states within the U.S. and Canada continue to join many newly arrived families. The prospect of Somali immigrants and refugees returning to their homelands is unlikely. Continuing war, civic strife and economic crises make the outlook for return to Somalia bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. continue to join many newly arrived families. The prospect of Somali immigrants and refugees returning to their homelands is unlikely. Continuing war, civic strife and economic crises make the outlook for return to bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. continue to join many newly arrived families. The prospect of Somali immigrants and refugees returning to their homelands is unlikely. Continuing war, civic strife and economic crises make the outlook for return to bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. , it is well accepted that there are 50,000—75,000 or more. Since has welcomed African immigrants, family members who live in other states within the and continue to join many newly arrived families. The prospect of Somali immigrants and refugees returning to their homelands is unlikely. Continuing war, civic strife and economic crises make the outlook for return to bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. , it is well accepted that there are 50,000—75,000 or more. Since has welcomed African immigrants, family members who live in other states within the and continue to join many newly arrived families. The prospect of Somali immigrants and refugees returning to their homelands is unlikely. Continuing war, civic strife and economic crises make the outlook for return to bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. . While official estimates indicate that approximately 25,000 Somalis are in , it is well accepted that there are 50,000—75,000 or more. Since has welcomed African immigrants, family members who live in other states within the and continue to join many newly arrived families. The prospect of Somali immigrants and refugees returning to their homelands is unlikely. Continuing war, civic strife and economic crises make the outlook for return to bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process. . While official estimates indicate that approximately 25,000 Somalis are in , it is well accepted that there are 50,000—75,000 or more. Since has welcomed African immigrants, family members who live in other states within the and continue to join many newly arrived families. The prospect of Somali immigrants and refugees returning to their homelands is unlikely. Continuing war, civic strife and economic crises make the outlook for return to bleak.  Therefore it is important that the American mainstream community continue to embrace and welcome Somalis and assist in their integration process.

The challenges facing Somali children and families in the United States are complex and their needs are great. Children usually become acculturated faster than their parents. These issues have a significant impact on psychosocial adjustment.  In order to best respond to the needs of Somali clients, it is important to understand their unique experiences and circumstances. Somali children and families face enormous cultural and linguistic difficulties in the acculturation process. This session will offer a brief overview of Somali culture, family dynamics, perception of mental health, gender roles, and concepts of community and family. The focus will be on understanding the special needs and problems of Somali children and families and specific strategies in working with them. are complex and their needs are great. Children usually become acculturated faster than their parents. These issues have a significant impact on psychosocial adjustment.  In order to best respond to the needs of Somali clients, it is important to understand their unique experiences and circumstances. Somali children and families face enormous cultural and linguistic difficulties in the acculturation process. This session will offer a brief overview of Somali culture, family dynamics, perception of mental health, gender roles, and concepts of community and family. The focus will be on understanding the special needs and problems of Somali children and families and specific strategies in working with them. are complex and their needs are great. Children usually become acculturated faster than their parents. These issues have a significant impact on psychosocial adjustment.  In order to best respond to the needs of Somali clients, it is important to understand their unique experiences and circumstances. Somali children and families face enormous cultural and linguistic difficulties in the acculturation process. This session will offer a brief overview of Somali culture, family dynamics, perception of mental health, gender roles, and concepts of community and family. The focus will be on understanding the special needs and problems of Somali children and families and specific strategies in working with them.