Abstract
This exploratory interview survey studied how Sacramento County Child Protective Services (CPS) social workers are able to implement the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) ethical principles of Informed Consent and Cultural Competence and Social Diversity in their work with monolingual Spanish-speaking clients. A total of 14 social workers participated in the study. The research showed that
respondents are implementing informed consent with monolingual Spanish-speaking clients. However, the manner of implementation and its effectiveness varied from social worker to social worker. All respondents expressed doubt regarding their clients' understanding of the Child Protective Services system, its power, and the reasoning for their family's involvement with the system. If a monolingual Spanish-speaking client is assigned a Spanish-speaking social worker, informed consent and cultural competency are more likely to be achieved than if the client is assigned a non-Spanish speaking social worker. The irregular implementation and effectiveness of informed consent and cultural competence by Sacramento County CPS social workers continues to be a concern.