Abstract
This study evaluated Masters in social work students (second year) cultural awareness and group interventions with children and adolescents who are Hispanic. Approximately 35.3 million people identify themselves as Hispanics in the United States. In Sacramento County, the Hispanic population is 135, 475 with the highest age group being: ages 6 through 11, 12 through 17 and 18 through 25. Recent studies have shown an increase in mental health need in these age groups. The purpose of this study was to show how imperative the knowledge of proper group interventions and cultural awareness is when working with Hispanic children/adolescents in a group setting. This study was conducted through a self administered survey to 41 Masters in social work students. The absence of proper cultural awareness and group interventions will impede a successful outcome of treatment. Thus, it is important to increase cultural awareness of Hispanics and proper group interventions in Master’s of social work classes to help increase both successes of therapeutic treatments as well as increase mental health utilization by Hispanics.