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Social work has traversed a vast expanse since its roots in settlement houses and as friendly visitors to making a profound mark on the world of social science research. The authors begin by examining the role of research in the social work profession and then discuss current changes, directions, and challenges in the pursuit of research funds. Highlighted will be Career Development Awards, specifically the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award or the K01 mechanism offered by the National Institutes of Health. A historical context is set, the mechanism described, and two social work K01 grantees illustrate the utility and promise of this funding source for conducting social work research. This manuscript aims to help readers determine (a) if the K mechanism is a good fit with their goals and needs and (b) how to pursue a K-Award successfully. (Contains 1 table and 1 note.)

The development of cultural competency skills is important for a clinician in any cross-cultural setting where a working knowledge of the client's culture is important to the delivery of services. This paper suggests that incorporating attendance at Twelve Step recovery programs may begin to facilitate cultural competency for students, or at the very least provide exposure to the culture through a cross-cultural experience. From the perspective of cultural competency, an understanding of the culture of Twelve Step groups is important to any clinician working with clients who may be referred to, and/or are members of a Twelve Step group. This article defines cultural competency, applies this to the culture that has developed around Twelve Step groups, and provides a model of integrating Twelve Step meeting attendance into addictions coursework as a mechanism for development of cultural responsiveness with addicted clients.

A study examined young Mexican Americans' perspectives concerning their own ethnicity. Observations and focus groups with 30 Mexican American youths from a Southwest barrio indicate that respondents used racial terms to understand acculturation differences. Intense negative feelings were expressed about less- acculturated, Spanish-speaking individuals. Respondents had strong connections with both contemporary youth culture and traditional culture. (Contains 47 references.) (TD)

The role of research in the social work profession is examined and the current changes, directions, and challenges in the pursuit of research funds is discussed. Career Development Awards, specially the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award or the K01 mechanism offered by the National Institutes of Health is highlighted.

This article discusses the findings of a qualitative study of a group of young Mexican Americans in a barrio, fictitiously called 'Las Montanas Bonitas,' located in a large Southwestern city. Young Mexican Americans' perception of ethnic identity is the focus of this study. The ethnographic techniques of participant observation, focus groups, and semistructured interviews were used. The most poignant finding is the respondents' use of racial terms to define and understand acculturation differences. Also, the intense negative feelings expressed by Mexican Americans about less acculturated, monolingual, Spanish-speaking individuals are noted. Other findings suggest that respondents have strong connections with both contemporary youth culture and traditional culture. The overarching themes of respondent narratives relate to boundaries and loyalty in the face of internal colonialization. Keywords: Mexican Americans; adolescents; ethnicity; race; acculturation; ethnography; internal colonialization

This article presents an interview with Shelly A. Wiechelt, Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland. Wiechelt is asked to describe the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA). She mentions that the NACoA is founded on the theory that substance use disorders are influenced by many factors including sociocultural and biological influences.

This article presents an interview with Wendy Weil, a substance abuse counselor who works with substance abusers in the criminal justice system. When asked about how she would describe working with mandated substance abuse clients, she describes her job duties at the Lutheran Medical Center in New York as being challenging. Weil believes that whether patients are in a mandated or non mandated treatment setting, some will be successful and some will not. She comments on the treatment goals that are set in her center.

This article presents an interview with Flavio F. Marsiglia, the Principal Investigator of the Drug Resistance Strategies project, specializing in drug abuse and HIV prevention particularly in Latinos/as. Marsiglia is asked what considerations there are for researchers in deciding to pursue federal funding.

The article presents an interview with Ellen Morehouse, as well as discusses student assistance programs which work to prevent adolescent drug and substance abuse. Several program models are available to counselors that will help in their substance abuse programs, including the core team model in which school staff receive training but are assisted by student teams. Moorehouse emphasizes the fact that her program and others help to prevent substance abuse from the beginning and that they are easily accessible to teenagers and their families. She also recommends to anyone that wants to start a similar program to make sure that the principal and superintendent of their school fully support and help in the program's creation.

The development of cultural competency skills is important for a clinician in any cross-cultural setting where a working knowledge of the client's culture is important to the delivery of services. This paper suggests that incorporating attendance at Twelve Step recovery programs may begin to facilitate cultural competency for students, or at the very least provide exposure to the culture through a cross-cultural experience. From the perspective of cultural competency, an understanding of the culture of Twelve Step groups is important to any clinician working with clients who may be referred to, and/or are members of a Twelve Step group. This article defines cultural competency, applies this to the culture that has developed around Twelve Step groups, and provides a model of integrating Twelve Step meeting attendance into addictions coursework as a mechanism for development of cultural responsiveness with addicted clients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This pilot study explores issues of culture and alcohol and other drug use in relation to substance abuse prevention with high-risk youth, with a particular interest in Latinos/as and acculturation. Many of the prominent prevention studies are school based, missing some of the youth at very highest risk for alcohol and drug use and abuse. Consequently, this study was conducted in community settings with youth from high-risk neighborhoods and environmental conditions including a homeless youth shelter, an alternative learning setting, and a low-income community program. The data indicated a high lifetime prevalence of drug use (over 80% for Whites and Latinos for beer, wine, liquor, and marijuana), with consistently lower prevalence rates observed among African-Americans. In addition, the study found significant ethnic differences in substance use (last 30 days) in the sample (median age = 16), with African-Americans reporting significantly lower incidence of marijuana and cocaine use (p < .05) than other youth. Implications for prevention, intervention and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a preface to the March 2005 issue of the "Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions," on the substance abuse behaviors of Latino populations in the U.S. and the effectiveness of culturally relevant drug treatment and prevention services.