Psycho-social-cultural needs of African American males in the juvenile justice system

The significance of African-centered social work for social work practice

“…It is vital to continue to advance African-centered social work, so that new scholarship can be developed reinforcing its powerful influence on finding solutions and creating new thinking (El-Bassel et al, 2010;Graham, 1999;Harvey & Coleman, 1997;Harvey & Rauch, 1997;Hatcher, 2010;Martin & Martin, 2003;Nobles,Goddard, & Gilbert, 2009;Ntseane, 2011;Piert, 2007;Prather et al, 2006;Schiele, 2010;Sherr, 2006;White, 2004). In preparing for this Special Issue, it became clear that there was a dearth of scholarship advancing this critical perspective in the social work literature.…”

“…In the fruitful space that the Academy provides students are encouraged to use their new-found knowledge to advance practice innovation, spur critical thinking of ideology, and promote social justice and human rights from a perspective of empowerment and strengths. As a consequence, new conceptualizations of issues have been articulated (Dyson & Brice, 2016) and new interventions spawned (Bent-Goodley, 2014;El-Bassel et al, 2010;Harvey & Coleman, 1997;Harvey & Rauch, 1997;Stepteau-Watson, Watson, & Lawrence, 2014;Valandra, 2007). As the Academy looks to its next years, it is hoped that more can be done to expand its influence and advance African-centered social work practice, education and research.…”

A Model Program for African American Children in the Foster Care System

“…Their neighborhoods reflect racial inequality, which results in city service abandonment and high violence (Seydlitz & Jenkins, 1998). The area probably consists of abandoned houses used as shooting galleries, young men gathering on street corners to sell their products to middle-class white consumers and gangs flourishing as a means of protecting younger children from sexual predators, exploitation and criminal initiation (Harvey et al, 1999).…”

“…Being African American is a triple whammy for these children (Harvey et al, 1999). First, they suffer the racism that still lingers in a society built on the backs of their forefathers and mothers.…”

“…African American males are placed in the position of fearlessness. As these males strive to survive they can become emotionally anesthetized (Harvey, 1999). Wallen's (1993) research demonstrates that children continually exposed to violence experience symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).…”