Essentials of working with latino families PASOs, Maria Martin, Julie Smithwick Presented at Children's Trust of South Carolina, 2014 Home Visiting Summit

1. Essentials of Working with Latino Families
Maria Martin
Early Childhood Initiative Coordinator
Julie Smithwick
Executive Director

2. 2010 US Population by Race/Ethnicity
Total 308,745, 538 100%
White 223,553,265 72.4%
Latino 50,477,594 16.3%
African
American
38,929,319 12.6%
Source: US Census Bureau

3. Main Reason for Migration
Since the 1990’s until the present day, Hispanic/Latino
immigration grew rapidly into the “non-traditional” states
and predominantly among the southern states of North
Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and
South Carolina
Primarily immigrants migrate to the U.S. to find better
quality of life. However, the most significant cause of
Hispanic/Latino immigration, past and present, is economic
opportunities – jobs.

4. Definition of Hispanic/Latino
Origin Used in the 2010 Census
“Hispanic or Latino” refers to a person of Cuban,
Puerto Rican, Mexican, South or Central
American, or other Spanish culture or origin
regardless of race and the terms are use
interchangeably.

5. States with Largest Hispanic Population Growth
2000-2010
State
Growth
2000-2010 (%)
South Carolina 148
Alabama 145
Tennessee 134
Kentucky 122
Arkansas 114
North Carolina 111
State
Growth
2000-2010
(%)
Maryland 106
Mississippi 106
South Dakota 103
Delaware 96
Georgia 96
Virginia 92
Source: Pew Hispanic Center tabulations of U.S. Census Bureau Redistricting_Files-PL_94-171 for states
PEW HISPANIC CENTER, March 2011

6. SC Counties with the Largest Latino Population
County Latino Population
Greenville 36,495
Beaufort 19,567
Charleston 18,877
Richland 18,637
Horry 16,683
Spartanburg 16,658
Lexington 14,529
Berkeley 10,755
York 10,075
Aiken 7,824

7. Counties with Largest Latino Population Growth (%)
County % of Total Population
Marlboro 290.2
Dorchester 252.8
Lexington 250.4
Lancaster 246.0
Horry 229.9

8. 2013 Children Under 5 by Race/Ethnicity
Total 311,013 100.0%
White 170,962 55.0%
African
American
99,475 32.0%
Latino 33,806 10.9%
Non-Hispanic
other Race
6,770 2.2%
Source: KIDS COUNT Data Center, Data Provided by Children’s Trust

9. Child Poverty in SC
41% of Latino Children live in poverty compared
to 24% of all SC children
Source: National Center for Children in Poverty

10. Barriers to Traditional Services and
Programs for Many Immigrants
¢ English language proficiency
¢ Transportation
¢ Insurance
¢ Fear
¢ Need for information
on health care system
¢ Acculturation levels
¢ Discrimination
¢ Anti-immigrant laws

11. Cultural Strengths
" Strong Families
" High value placed on children
" High value on education
" Good birth outcomes,
healthy start as infants
" Strong social and emotional skills
" Bilingual

12. Some Culture Characteristics
" Most common language is Spanish
" Religion: Mostly Roman Catholics
" Traditional Belief Systems
" Value on the Family
" Personalismo
" Respeto
" Confianza

13. Culture Differences
" Formality of relationship with provider
" Non-verbal behaviors:
◦ looking to advocate or family
◦ looking away from professional
◦ nodding to “please”
" Concept of time
" Use of natural medicine
" Communication style

14. Conclusion
To most, America is still the country where
human rights, opportunity, and success are
possibilities; it inherently inspires hope in
those who want nothing more than to make
their contribution.
Jorge Ramos, The Other Face of America