Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ scenarios. Select a scenario that has not yet received a response. Explain your approach for working with the new immigrant as a

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ scenarios. Select a scenario that has not yet received a response.

• Explain your approach for working with the new immigrant as a social worker.
• Consider how you might adapt the cultural formulation interview for the particular case.
• Address what you would do if the client does not speak a language in which you are fluent.

If you integrate the Learning Resources in your posts, make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.

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Case Scenario: Osas's Journey to America

Osas, a 55-year-old woman and mother of six from Nigeria, arrived in the United States in November 2023. She holds a green card, sponsored by her daughter who has been living in the U.S. for several years. Osas is a skilled caterer, specializing in traditional Nigerian cuisine, and she is eager to explore opportunities in her field in her new home. Osas hails from the Edo-speaking community in Nigeria, where she was deeply rooted in her cultural traditions and primarily communicated in Edo and Yoruba languages. She used to live with her daughter back in Nigeria and is now residing with her daughter in the United States. Despite the excitement of this new chapter in her life, Osas faces both strengths and challenges as she navigates American culture.

Strengths:

One of Osas's notable strengths lies in her culinary skills as a caterer. This skill not only provides her with a potential avenue for employment but also serves as a means to connect with her cultural roots. According to Marsiglia, Kulis, and Lechuga-Peña (2021), maintaining a connection to one's cultural background can act as a source of resilience in adapting to a new culture. Osas's proficiency in traditional Nigerian cuisine may enable her to establish a niche in the local market, providing a sense of pride and purpose. Additionally, the support of her daughter is a significant asset. Family support is crucial in the acculturation process, as highlighted in the Social Justice Brief on refugee resettlement by the National Association of Social Workers (2019). Osas's daughter, who played a pivotal role in sponsoring her green card, can offer emotional support and guidance during her initial settlement.

Challenges:

Osas's primary challenge lies in adapting to the cultural nuances of American society. The Think Cultural Health video (2019) emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural formulations to bridge communication gaps. Osas may face difficulties in expressing herself, especially in bureaucratic and social settings, due to language barriers. The cultural formulation interview approach could be employed to assess her cultural background and tailor support accordingly. Another challenge involves potential employment barriers. Despite her culinary expertise, navigating the American job market may pose challenges for Osas. Marsiglia et al. (2021) based on my experiences as an immigrant, immigrants often encounter barriers to accessing employment opportunities due to cultural and systemic factors. Social workers can play a crucial role in advocating for Osas and facilitating cultural competence in employment services.

In conclusion, Osas's journey to the United States is marked by a mix of strengths and challenges. Leveraging her culinary skills and the support of her daughter can empower her in the acculturation process. However, addressing language barriers and employment challenges will require collaborative efforts from social workers, community organizations, and employment services to ensure Osas's successful integration into American society.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Cultural formulation. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.CulturalFormulation

Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

National Association of Social Workers. (2019). Social justice brief: Challenges of refugee resettlement: Policy and psychosocial factors. Retrieved from [https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=X2QaNfEuJUk%3D&portalid=0](https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=X2QaNfEuJUk%3D&portalid=0)

Think Cultural Health. (2019, May 1). Using the cultural formulation interview [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SjBG9di8ss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SjBG9di8ss)

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My client is a 27 year-old Afghan refugee who came during the evacuation. He left all of his family behind along with most of his belongings. He speaks English well and came through the Refugee Admissions Program. 

There are a lot of challenges for this scenario. It is important to look at the background of the situation and be sure to get the big picture to understand the barriers he faces. In 2021, when the United States troops withdrew operations in Afghanistan, sudden evacuation for many Afghans occurred (Rai et al., 2023). In order to get away from the immediate risk of harm from the Taliban. This time was one that was very traumatic for many. Thousands were relocated to resettle in the United States leaving behind almost everything they knew, what was familiar, and much of what they owned (Rai et al., 2023). In addition to the drastic change and having to settle somewhere new, the official religion of Afghanistan is Islam. This means most Afghan refugees, like my client, are Muslim. Unfortunately, this has made the client a little worried because Islamophobia seems to be something he has ran into a lot since his arrival, which has created some barriers. Another barrier for many, including the client, is that those who came over through the Refugee Admissions program have a legal status that is indeterminate since they came over as a humanitarian parolees during crisis (Rai et al., 2023). Those that did not use this program though have no clear pathway to permanent status at all.

While it is easy to identify the barriers in this situation, we must also be able to identify the strengths. This client has quite a few that will be beneficial to incorporate in his treatment. He speaks English well, so has been able to get out and socialize without many barriers in language. The client has even started to build connections and find a support system by finding a group of those that practice the same religion. My client has also shown great resiliency and seems to try to stay positive. Another strength is that he did come over through the Refugee Admissions program so there are at least steps in place for legal status.

Reference

Rai, A., Held, M. L., Vidal De Haymes, M. Afghan refugee resettlement in the United States: Implications for service provision. Families in Society: Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 104(3), 392–396, 2023. DOI 10.1177/10443894221122581.