Curriculum-based family intervention programs: meeting the needs of the Latinos in the U.S.

The present research focuses on the need for culturally specific curriculum-based family intervention programs for Latino immigrant families residing in the United States. A review of the literature and direct practice experience with Latino families indicate that existing intervention programs do not adequately meet the needs of this population. Part one of the study provides a comprehensive review of the published work on existing curricula in use with U.S.-based Latino families to evaluate to what extent they are effective/evidence-based and culturally relevant. Part two of the study takes an in-depth look at one such program, Familias Unidas. Familias Unidas is a curriculum-based family intervention program tailored to meet the needs of the local Latino community. Program outcomes are evaluated using a pretest-posttest design. Also, outcome differences based on different levels of acculturation are explored. In the final part of the study, practitioners working with Latino immigrant families share their experiences through individual interviews and focus groups on their experiences implementing curriculum-based programs with Latino families. Overall findings and implications will be discussed as well as directions for future research. The research is presented in the form of three distinct scholarly manuscripts. Each manuscript has its own distinct research questions, contributes to the overall research in a unique way, and makes specific recommendations for practice, policy, and research. The three manuscripts together add to the knowledge base on curriculum-based programs as they apply to Latino families.