Eric Culqui 3 rd Year Educational Psychology Student Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles

Background in working with diverse communities Vision underlying school psychologists’ potential role in the community What that might look like

Where I’m from B.A. in Psychology, LMU c/o 2001 Internships at Animo Locke High School & St. Monica Elementary School Both undergrad and grad school, had classes with Dr. Cheryl Grills Community Psychology/ Empowerment Freireian Dialogical Model Class content/ projects exposed us to real consultative work being done with community organizations on their active projects Schools as the new “town square” - School Psychologists integrated in community Why I’m here Imoyase Group, Inc. Program evaluation and consultation activities throughout the state of California site visits attending and documenting community events conducting focus groups data entry and analysis Community Collaboration Community Empowerment Action Research

Multi year, multi-million dollar project funded by The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) To build healthy communities through the transformation of social, physical and chemical environments. Sixteen community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout the state of California selected.

South-central district of San Jose, CA. Several schools are located within the Andrew Hill service area Significant community partners Immigrant Corridor Primarily Vietnamese/ South East Asian and Latino

Aimed to….  community knowledge about health issues and preventative health practices  culturally competent health care by service providers  community involvement in community-wide events  intergenerational and family relationships By providing… Community Health Projects Education/ training Increase residents awareness of health issues Specific ways to promote health Academic Support Oral histories by students Understanding of cultural explanations of health, wellness and self-care Mentoring Activities Individual and Group Training on community health Discussion of family dynamics

… as a company Communities know best Youth have Vision & Energy to transform communities Culture Matters Investing in Personal/ Institutional Relationships is Key … as an individual Passionately empowered communities (youth and adults) Shared Intercultural vision of community Integration of local schools

In keeping with the NASP Vision of School Psychological Service Delivery

“School psychologists are prepared to deliver a continuum of prevention and intervention services to children, youth, families, and schools.” Centrally located among staff, faculty, administration, students, parents and the broader community. Opportunity to make critical connections among key stakeholders. “Effective responsiveness, through a focus on behavior, attitudes, and policy, to populations whose diversity may be expressed in terms of race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, and/or language.” Broadened perspective and the collaborative relationship key to effective and efficient response to our clientele regardless of unique context(s).

“Knowledge of individual differences, abilities, disabilities and other diverse characteristics; principles and research related to diversity factors for children, families, and schools, including factors related to culture, context, and individual and role differences; and evidence-based strategies to enhance services and address potential influences related to diversity.” Widened beyond the deficit- focused medical model Identify strengths at all levels Broadened Perspective Rapport is key Both the Individual and Community levels Build Collaborative Relationships

Good news…. We are already doing it. Need to first listen to our communities PTA’s, Supporting admin and parent orgs to Conduct strength and needs assessments Truly understand their perspective, needs and strengths. Encourage and support adults and youth to connect on a shared vision in their community.

Help your community find out what type of seafood they want Needs Assessment Climate Survey Mission and Vision Find out what they already know about seafood Strengths/ Asset Assessment

Consultation = even exchange of ideas You might be surprised what they know about fishing

Return to Mission and Vision Making progress and reaching a goal or destination is one step The next is knowing what to do with that progress Always go back to where it started

As community members see the fruits of their labors, they become much more vested and passionate about their mission & vision community and fellow community members

“Never do anything alone.” Dr. Brian Leung, Ph.D. Empowerment and sense of ownership among youth and community Leveraging of available resources (the members of the community) Enhanced school and community relationships Inspired and empowered school psychologists who can see the fruits of their labor