Cultural Competence Archives - National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)
How to Find a Therapist for Your LGBTQ+ Child
March 22, 2025 | NWI
Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental disorder, but LGBTQ+ young people are at higher risk for anxiety, depression and suicide due to the stigma, shame and discrimination they often face. Working with an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist can help young people explore their identities. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of mental health professionals trained to understand the issues facing LGBTQ+ young people. This brief examines how to find an appropriate therapist.
Five Innovative Programs Supporting Black Students’ Mental Wellness
February 23, 2025 | NWI
A lack of mental health providers can hinder a Black student’s growth. These five organizations are showing up in and outside of schools.
Resiliencia: Latino Children Overcoming Climate Challenges
November 3, 2024 | NWI
Hurricanes, heatwaves, droughts, and natural disasters – not only are they a common occurrence, but a warming planet is making them more intense. Latino families, especially the children, are particularly vulnerable to climate-related events. This short video explores strategies for building children’s resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Toolkit Highlights Using Wraparound to Address Disparities in Child Welfare
January 8, 2024 | NWI
This toolkit centers racial equity in family sustainability. The recommended approach includes high-fidelity Wraparound and focuses on prevention.
Intervention Shows Success in Reducing Disparities in Suspension Rates
January 8, 2024 | NWI
Despite attempts to eliminate bias from school discipline policies, Black students continue to receive harsher punishments than White students for the same infractions. A new intervention, known as empathic discipline, has led to dramatic improvements by encouraging teachers to cultivate a growth mindset and respond with empathy when students act out.
Youth Perspectives on Designing Equitable Out-of-School-Time Programs
December 1, 2023 | NWI
A youth-led research project provides an indication of how young people from marginalized communities may experience out-of-school-time programming, including that they are sometimes treated differently because of race, gender identity, or other factors.
When to Adapt: Evidence-Based Treatments for Children of Diverse Cultural Backgrounds
December 1, 2023 | NWI
This Issue Brief describes what is known about making adaptations to behavioral health evidence-based treatments for diverse populations or children, and provides recommendations for clinicians on when and how to make these decisions.
Misdiagnosis of Mood Disorders in Black Teenagers
October 30, 2023 | NWI
Research shows that kids of color, specifically Black kids, may be more likely than white kids to get the wrong diagnosis when they show signs of a mood disorder. They might get written off as misbehaving. Or they might be wrongly diagnosed with a different disorder like conduct disorder. This article discusses why this might be happening and what can be done to ensure proper diagnosis.
Research Suggests Racism Contributes to Childhood Obesity
September 24, 2023 | NWI
A large body of research connects racial discrimination to poor health outcomes, and a new study confirms these findings among children. The study found that children as young as 9 were more likely to meet the definition of obesity if they faced racism a year earlier.
Utilizing Black Families’ Cultural Assets
May 13, 2022 | NWI
This publication is part of a broader effort to build a deeper understanding of the diversity of Black families, contextualize their experiences within systems and institutions, and produce evidence to inform policies and practices that promote their well-being in the twenty-first century.