AbstractsSocial Work

This study examined the perspectives of service professionals on factors that prevent efficient utilization of mental health services, and the availability and adequacy of culturally competent services to Latino/Hispanic population in the Sacramento region. This exploratory study utilized questionnaires to collect data pertaining to study questions from a non- probability sample of respondents. Study findings indicated that the knowledge on the utilization of resources services available to the Latino community was positively correlated with the age of the respondent; r (21) = .37 without statistical significance at p >.05. Clergy members who participated in the study had more knowledge and non-social workers in general had more knowledge of the barriers to service utilization. The findings evidence the need for culturally competent, comprehensive community-based mental health services to the Latino population. General barriers to service utilization include the slow pace of acculturation into dominant culture; poor knowledge of services available to them, language barriers and the lack of clinicians??? understanding of Hispanic/Latino culture. Recommendations include the need for targeted program delivery that integrate the wellness model and the cultural competencies of the social work profession; and the need for further study with large samples of clients as respondents.