Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approach
Cambodian Americans are a growing subgroup of the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) population in the United States but they have largely remained invisible. This invisibility may have contributed to social services needs being unmet. This study sought to identify strategies for increasing acce...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2021-06-01
|
| Series: | Aging and Health Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667032121000093 |
| _version_ | 1819143888271572992 |
|---|---|
| author | Suzie S. Weng Jessica Jassmin Ordaz |
| author_facet | Suzie S. Weng Jessica Jassmin Ordaz |
| author_sort | Suzie S. Weng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cambodian Americans are a growing subgroup of the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) population in the United States but they have largely remained invisible. This invisibility may have contributed to social services needs being unmet. This study sought to identify strategies for increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees that are culturally-informed. A qualitative approach was taken that enhances the ability to ascertain 29 social service providers’ perspectives who specifically work with the population through ethnic-specific social services programs and agencies. Themes emerged from the data as strategies for increasing social services access and utilization included 1) providing a welcoming environment to increase the possibility of Cambodian Americans using services and return rates; 2) having bilingual and bicultural service providers to help Cambodian Americans feel understood and develop a stronger sense of trust; 3) engaging in community outreach to increase awareness of available services; 4) embracing culture and spirituality to demonstrate respect and understanding; and 5) developing patience by assisting with various needs in order to build trust. Implications of the findings from the study provide specific strategies for mainstream providers and agencies to consider adopting in order to increase social services access and utilization among Cambodian Americans. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T12:33:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a1dd89d1f9b748119a140f18508b2195 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2667-0321 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T12:33:24Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aging and Health Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-a1dd89d1f9b748119a140f18508b21952022-12-21T18:25:37ZengElsevierAging and Health Research2667-03212021-06-0112100011Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approachSuzie S. Weng0Jessica Jassmin Ordaz1Corresponding author.; School of Social Work, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840, United StatesSchool of Social Work, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840, United StatesCambodian Americans are a growing subgroup of the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) population in the United States but they have largely remained invisible. This invisibility may have contributed to social services needs being unmet. This study sought to identify strategies for increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees that are culturally-informed. A qualitative approach was taken that enhances the ability to ascertain 29 social service providers’ perspectives who specifically work with the population through ethnic-specific social services programs and agencies. Themes emerged from the data as strategies for increasing social services access and utilization included 1) providing a welcoming environment to increase the possibility of Cambodian Americans using services and return rates; 2) having bilingual and bicultural service providers to help Cambodian Americans feel understood and develop a stronger sense of trust; 3) engaging in community outreach to increase awareness of available services; 4) embracing culture and spirituality to demonstrate respect and understanding; and 5) developing patience by assisting with various needs in order to build trust. Implications of the findings from the study provide specific strategies for mainstream providers and agencies to consider adopting in order to increase social services access and utilization among Cambodian Americans.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667032121000093Ethnic agenciesSocial workImmigrantsQualitative researchMental healthNonprofit |
| spellingShingle | Suzie S. Weng Jessica Jassmin Ordaz Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approach Aging and Health Research Ethnic agencies Social work Immigrants Qualitative research Mental health Nonprofit |
| title | Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approach |
| title_full | Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approach |
| title_fullStr | Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approach |
| title_short | Increasing access and utilization of social services for Cambodian American refugees: An ethnic-specific services approach |
| title_sort | increasing access and utilization of social services for cambodian american refugees an ethnic specific services approach |
| topic | Ethnic agencies Social work Immigrants Qualitative research Mental health Nonprofit |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667032121000093 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT suziesweng increasingaccessandutilizationofsocialservicesforcambodianamericanrefugeesanethnicspecificservicesapproach AT jessicajassminordaz increasingaccessandutilizationofsocialservicesforcambodianamericanrefugeesanethnicspecificservicesapproach |