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Winter 2001Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001 INSIDE THE ISSUE United... Not Divided 2 Group Work with Vietnamese Adult Clients in CalWorks 3 Cultural Events Calendar 4 Spotlight on Excellence 6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REFUGEE CONFERENCE: A DAY OF SOLIDARITY The first Southern California Refugee Conference, "A Forum for Addressing, Respecting and Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Refugees" took place at a time when the majority of the country held its collective breath. September 12, 2001 was a day of sadness and despair, yet if the attendees at the conference in Newport Beach are an accurate indicator, it was also a day of coming together— of solidarity. Three hundred fifty attendees from all over the State gathered together to provide a venue from which all involved could become better acquainted with the special mental health needs of our diverse refugee populations. The morning began with a stunning video presentation that set the tone for the day, both of struggle and of triumph. The keynote speaker, Kieu Chinh, star of the "Joy Luck Club" and named "Refugee of the Year" by Congress in 1990, shared her own personal battles with being a refugee and facing depression and suicide. Dr. J. David Kinzie made his presentation live via video conferencing (due to airport closures) and introduced the audience to "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Southeast Asians." Rounding out the morning was Dr. Michael Smith speaking on "Herbal Remedies in Refugees." After a calming lunch in the rose garden, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, attendees chose between a number of breakout sessions including: Refugee Alienation and Distress Syndrome"— Roberto Velasquez, Ph. D., Forensic Factors Impacting the Psycho-logical Assessment and Treatment of Traumatized Civil War Refugees"— Cynthia Morales, Ph. D.," Resettlement Agency Service Providers– A Panel Presentation", Infectious Disease Control in the Refugee Community" —Lauri Thrupp, MD. Following a brief break, attendees went on to workshop session II, which included: "Current Strategies in Providing Mental Health Services to the Asian Pacific Islander Refugee Population"— Glenn Masuda, Ph. D., "Mental Health Intervention for African Refugees and Immigrants"— Eke Wokocha, Ph. D., "Opportunities for Change: Approaches to Trauma— Rifka Hirsch, "Mental Health Issues in Vietnamese Refugees"— Clayton Chau, MD, Vuong Nguyen, MD, and "Torture and Trauma– Refugee Experience"— Ana Deutsch, MFT. PAGE 1 (Continued on page 2) CONNECTION Cultural 1 Page 2 Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001 Cultural CONNECTION: UNITED...NOT DIVIDED I n times of crises, we as Americans tend to gather strength from each other. When faced with uncertain circumstances, we gravitate towards the family, towards what we know to be safe and comforting. The recent happenings in our country have placed a great deal of strain on all. Fear fuels many reactions, especially hate. With the recent jump in hate crimes in Orange County, targeted at folks who look "Middle-Eastern," it is essential that we address such issues with both our clients and ourselves. In the year 2000, there were approximately 122 hate crimes reported in Orange County. A hate crime is any criminal act or attempted criminal act that is motivated by the victim's race, ethnicity, religious orientation, gender or disability. According to the 2000 Hate Crime Report issued by the Orange County Human Relations Com-mission, 31 of those 122 crimes were perpetrated against Jews, 21 against African Americans, 17 against Lesbian/ Gays, etc., with 4 against Middle Easterners and 2 against Muslims. Unfortunately, these numbers have risen sharply since the events of September 11th. There have been 37 reported hate crimes and hate incidents in Orange County since September 11 that targeted "Middle-Eastern" or "Middle-Eastern " appearing folks. The numbers are great, yet many more hate crimes and incidents go unreported for a number of reasons such as: • People are often fearful that the perpetrator will return and harass them further if they make a report. • People may also believe making a report only serves to stigmatize themselves and/ or their family. • People often have little faith the perpetrators will be caught and successfully prosecuted. • Immigrant victims can have difficulty communicating the incident due to cultural barriers, including language. • Immigrants may distrust any government agency as a result of the reputation of similar agencies in their native country. • Undocumented workers will not usually come forward because (Continued from page 1) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REFUGEE CONFERENCE: A DAY OF SOLIDARITY The day concluded with a reception and entertainment by the Vic Ares Trio in the atrium. A special thanks goes out to all who attended on this very important day, as well as to all of our exhibitors, including: Refugio Para Ninos, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, UCI-H. A. B. L. A., California Department of they fear contacting any law enforcement agencies due to their immigration status. Living in such a diverse place as Orange County, it is essential that we do what we can to reduce hate crimes. The following suggestions can assist a client or you in doing just that: • Learn to identify hate crimes • Report hate crimes to your local police • Report hate-related incidents to the OC Human Relations Commission • Assist and support hate crime victims • Work to prevent hate by building understanding and tolerance • Speak out against acts of hate For more information on hate crimes, or dispelling hate crimes, please call the OC Human Relations Commission at (714) 567-7470 or the Office of Cultural Competency at (714) 796-0189. Health Services, Orange County HCA, Orange County SSA, Acacia Adult Day Center, Alzheimer's Association, Bristol-Meyers, CalOptima, Catholic Charities, Korean Community Services, Mental Health Association NAMI-OC, Orange County Psychiatric Society, Pfizer, St. Anselm's Cross Cultural Center and The Cambodian Family. 2 Page 3 Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001 Group Work With Vietnamese Adult Clients In CalWorks- SUZIE XUYEN DONG-MATSUDA, MSW CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER I, CALWORKS "First generation Vietnamese adults do not do well in groups because they have a tendency not to tell others their personal problems." You may have heard this comment in conferences or workshops as recent as today. Let us assess the validity of this statement so that together we can have an accurate understanding and empathy in serving this population. When I hear a statement such as this, I ask myself what experience the per-son may have had doing group work with the Vietnamese population? Re-search and literature have not been well developed regarding group therapy for Vietnamese clients. Unfortunately, such generalized beliefs still commonly exists. I believe that making a generalized statement about a particular population's behavior, no matter the culture, denies them of their individual differences and needs. What I have learned in working with Vietnamese adult clients in group is that they have universal needs like many others such as the need to process their stories of pain and strength, providing a therapeutic environment is established and confidentiality is addressed. This assessment has been confirmed by other mental health professionals who are doing group work with the Vietnamese adult population. Due to long-standing and traumatic experiences with violations and abuse through war, separation, migration and others, many Vietnamese adults find different ways to survive and sustain their needs. These individuals do try to share their stories and experiences with their friends, relatives, and others, even though they often feel misunderstood, invalidated, not empathized with, nor acknowledged afterwards. They at times even feel judged and betrayed. Thus their reluctance to share is not because they did not want to. For the Vietnamese adult client, effective group work not only enables them to open up, but also powerfully engages them in a "collective healing" process. In a women's group, a female client, for the first time, was able to sob and share with other female clients her experience of being repeatedly raped by her ex-husband. In a male group, male clients were able to learn to share stories of infidelity and domestic abuse as well as to experience remorse. Issues as profound as loss, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse were also shared. Group members are able to comfort, help, and heal one another with their grief through active mutual support and sharing of resources. From my experience, this process of sharing is achieved in the middle or late-middle phase of group work. Moreover, what I have learned is that a therapist's communication skills and his/ her ability to use the Vietnamese language in a healing manner are extremely critical. For some Vietnamese clients, their emotional wounds are still fresh. Being bilingual and bicultural serves as a bridge for the clients to effectively adjust to both sets of cultural values and to adequately under-stand both socio-political systems in which the clients have been conditioned. Thus, being a bilingual and bicultural professional assures us of providing effective services to these clients. Lastly, as we assess our clients from the context of their particular environ-mental configuration, it is important that services be responsive to their individual needs. It is also important that the delivery of services be provided with culturally sensitive skills and innovations to meet the strengths and needs of the clients. In short, working with Vietnamese adult clients in a group modality can be powerfully effective. It is up to us to provide ser-vice accessibility, development and ser-vice adaptation with professional competence. I welcome your input regarding this issue as we can learn from one another. I can be reached by e-mail at Sdong_Matsuda@ochca.com. " In short, working with Vietnamese adult clients in a group modality can be powerfully effective." 3 Page 4 Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001 Cultural Events CalendarEvent: December 9, 2001 Menorah Lighting Ceremony Location: Fashion Island Information: (949) 786-5000
Event: December 30, 2001 Little Tokyo Community Mochitsuki & Shimewana Workshop (Learn to make mochi or rice cake) Location: Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Information: Kym Aoki at 244 South San Pedro St., L.A. 90012 (213) 628-2725 ext. 112 Admission: Free
Event:December 29, 2001 Kwanzaa Celebration Information: Willia Edmonds at (714) 543-7379 Location: Bowers Museum
Event:Continuing Through December 30, 2001 Glory of Christmas Location: Crystal Cathedral Information: (714) 544-5679
Event:December 31, 2001 First Night Fullerton—An alcohol-free, family-oriented evening of music, art, culture, exhibits, entertainment and dining, climaxing with a fireworks show at midnight. Location: Downtown Fullerton Information: (714) 738-6575
Event:Continuing Through December 31, 2001 Inventing Paradise: Hawaiian Image and Popular Culture on display Location: Fullerton Museum Center Information: (714) 738-6575
Event:Continuing through January 9, 2002 The Holy Land: David Roberts Dead Sea Scrolls and House of David Inscriptions Location: Bowers Museum of Cultural Art Information: (714) 567-3600
Event:Continuing through January 13, 2002 The World of the Estruscans Location: Bowers Museum of Cultural Art Information: (714) 567-3600
Event:January (No specific Date), 2002 Chinese New Year Celebration: Chinese Dance Troops & Kung Fu Location: Los Angeles Information: Fax: (323) 662-9786
Event:January 6, 2002 Kotohajime: First performances of the New year Location: Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Information: (213) 628-2725 Fee: Free 4 Page 5 Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001
Event:January (No Specific Date), 2002 Vietnamese New Year Celebration: Vietnamese Music, Performance, and cultural food celebration Location: Golden West College
Event:January 6-February 24, 2002 4 th Annual Shikishi Exhibition Location: Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Information: (213) 628-2725 Fee: $3.00
Event:January 19 and January 20 West Coast Premiere Warabi-Za Exciting program of folk music and dance Location: Japan America Theatre Information: (213) 628-2725 Fee: $25, $23 for Students, Seniors, Groups, $18
Event:February 3, 2002 Black History Parade and Cultural Faire Location: Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center Plaza Information: (714) 440-8943
Event:February 3 -29, 2002 Black History Month Celebrations Location: Elite Beauty Supplies & Santa Ana Main Post Office Information: (714) 972-2190 (Ernesta Wright & James Jefferson respectively) 5 Page 6 Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001 Spotlight on ExcellenceOCTOBER HONOREE — KERRY WILSON Kerry Wilson began his career with the County of Orange in 1989. He initially worked with Beaches, Harbors and Parks, serving some 10 years in that division, before undertaking his current position with the Health Care Agency. Kerry currently serves as the Web Coordinator for the Health Care Agency, in Quality Management. Per his colleagues, Kerry is a "Quiet Leader" who "embraces diversity in all that he does." Kerry always goes the extra mile in ensuring that projects that he is involved in demonstrate cultural variation. This can clearly be seen in his work on the HCA WebPages, as well as a recent project completed for Cultural Competency, a video presentation on refugees. The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) recently honored Kerry for his collaborative work on the Animal Care Services website. The site was named the winner of the Annual Challenge Award competition, acknowledging it as one of the 12 most creative county programs in the state. Kerry brings honor and prestige to Quality Management and the Health Care Agency as a whole. NOVEMBER HONOREE — SANDRA SALAZAR Sandra Salazar began her journey towards her goal of being a nurse when she graduated in 1969 from Mount Sinai Nursing School, where she was a Guggenheim Fellow and a Bloomberg Scholar. She furthered her education by completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Anthropology at Colgate Univer-sity in 1974. Sandra came to the Health Care Agency in 1992. She be-gan her career here in Behavioral Health Services as a Moni-tor for Long Term Care, and then became a Manager for Managed Care. Following a brief stint in Central Quality Im-provement as the Service Chief, she moved on to Special Programs, before settling in as Service Chief II at the ETS (Evaluation and Treatment Services). Per her colleagues, Sandra demonstrates "a great interest and commitment to issues of diversity". In fact, she also had a hand in the development of portions of the Cultural Com-petency Plan currently in use by the Cultural Competency Program. 6 Page 7 Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001 Name: Work address/ Pony address: Discipline: Why you believe he/ she is Culturally Competent: Example of dedication to Cultural Competency: January Jose Luis Valle-Ochoa Spotlight on Excellence DECEMBER HONOREE — EVA SOLORIO 7 Page 8 Volume V, Number 9 Winter 2001
The Cultural Connection is published quarterly by the Cultural Competency Program of the County of Orange/ Health Care Agency. If you would like to contribute an article, or have comments, ideas, or suggestions for newsletter improvement, please write to us at: County of Orange/ Health Care Agency 405 W. 5th Street, Suite 400 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Telephone: (714) 796-0188 Fax: (714) 796-0194 Web: www.ochealthinfo.com/behavioral/cultural.htm
Editor: Veronica A. Kelley, LCSW Ethnic Services Coordinator/ Service Chief I Cultural Competency Contributing Staff: Rafael D. Canul, PhD., Suzie Xuyen-Dong Matsuda, MSN Production Staff: Kary To, Ph. D., Christy Castiglione Page Navigation Panel
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