Kicking off Spanish-language Programs

2:00 p.m. Eastern | 11:00 a.m. Pacific (1.5 hours)

Presentation Description:

Summary for the presentation is:  Bo’s Place, a bereavement center in Houston, has offered Spanish-speaking grief support groups for the past six years to better meet the needs of Houston’s growing Spanish-speaking population. Bo’s Place has focused on outreach to the Latino community, making its services accessible, and incorporating culturally appropriate activities into its programming. Over the years, Bo’s Place has been able to provide: two continuous onsite Spanish-language support groups, a Spanish-language weekend bereavement retreat, a Spanish-language Women’s Day Retreat, Bilingual Special Programs, Spanish-language volunteer trainings, and multiple workshops on grief in the Latino community (both in English and Spanish). This presentation will provide detailed information on Bo’s Place Spanish-speaking programming, their outreach efforts, and the successes and challenges they have come across. The use of culturally appropriate grief resources and activities will be discussed and examples will be provided.

Cristina M Flores is the Bilingual Ongoing Groups Manager at Bo’s Place, a bereavement center in Houston, TX. Cristina manages the ongoing family group program and coordinates one of the Spanish speaking groups. Cristina earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Texas at Austin and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Houston. Cristina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and formerly worked as a medical social worker in the Houston Medical Center.

Flor Guebara is the Spanish Outreach Manager at Bo’s Place, , a bereavement center in Houston, TX. Flor manages the school-based program and coordinates one of the Spanish speaking groups. Flor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Smith College and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Houston. Flor is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and formerly worked as a medical social worker in the Houston Medical Center.

Learning Objective One:  Describe the structure of Bo’s Place Spanish-speaking program and cultural considerations to be taken into account when creating a Spanish speaking program.

Learning Objective Two: Describe strategies for reaching identified Latinos populations and discuss challenges in running a Spanish-speaking program.

Learning Objective Three:  Utilize culturally appropriate resources and activities in your programming.