A multistakeholder evaluation of Lazos Hispanos: An application of a community-based participatory research conceptual model

The Roles of Settings in Supporting Immigrants' Resistance to Injustice and Oppression: A Policy Position Statement by the Society for Community Research and Action: A Policy Statement by the Society for Community Research and Action: Division 27 of the American Psychological Association

In 2018, in response to increasingly oppressive and widespread federal immigration enforcement actions in the United States (U.S.) and around the globe - including family separation, immigration raids, detention, deportation of people who have lived in the country for much of their lives - the Society for Community Research & Action produced a statement on the effects of deportation and forced separation on immigrants, their families, and communities (SCRA, 2018). The statement focused exclusively on the impacts of deportation and forced family separation, documenting the damage done by oppressive U.S. policies and practices. We felt it was imperative to document this harm, and yet were uncomfortable producing a narrow paper that focused solely on harm. There are multiple ways immigrants and their allies resist deportation and other forms of oppression. This resistance is done individually, collectively, and in settings that vary in size and scope, including community-based, faith-based, direct care, and educational settings, as well as entire municipalities and transnational organizing settings. Settings facilitate resistance in many ways, focusing on those who are oppressed, their oppressors, and systems of oppression. In this statement, we describe the unique and overlapping ways in which settings facilitate resistance. We situate this review of the scientific and practice literature in the frameworks of change through social settings, empowering settings, healing justice, and decolonization. We also document recommendations for continued resistance.

Lazos Hispanos: Promising Strategies and Lessons Learned in the Development of a Multisystem, Community-Based Promotoras Program

U.S. Latinos face multiple inter-related barriers to access health and social services. Researchers and practitioners have called upon community-based participatory research (CBPR) to address such challenges and health disparities, with the community health worker-or promotoras-model evidencing positive outcomes. What is less clear, however, are the promising strategies to support the development of a multisystem, community-based promotoras program. In response, the current study applied a CBPR conceptual model as an organizing framework to develop a promotora program. Lazos Hispanos (Hispanic Links) was developed to enhance the health and well-being of Latinx residing in low-income communities in the Southeastern United States. This study highlights 16 lessons learned, anchored in the first two dimensions of the CBPR conceptual model: community context and partnership development. First, the community assessment and activities leading to Lazos Hispanos took nearly 2 years but were crucial to develop a strong basis for the program. Second, the development of a multicultural and interdisciplinary research team enriched every aspect of the program and enhanced culturally responsive community engagement. Selection, training, and ongoing support of the promotoras were fundamental to program success. Particularly important were the following: receiving mentorship from a successful promotora organization; delineating mutually agreed upon roles and responsibilities; following national training standards for community health workers; and, holding monthly meetings for training, support, and data collection. The engagement of community service providers as partners was facilitated by building upon existing community relationships, signing a memorandum of understanding that specified roles and responsibilities, conducting tours of provider facilities with the promotoras, and keeping providers abreast of the program via bi-annual community gatherings. The development process showed fidelity to the conceptual model. Lazos Hispanos has proven an asset to participants, the promotoras, and service providers as the program continues to develop a community-based, health supportive infrastructure.