title: Family first: Community-based supports for refugees.
abstract: This article presents a community-based approach that targets family interventions and services through a preventive, family systems ecological framework. A public health approach is used to emphasize the need for a tiered model of family support that builds on the strengths of refugee families while recognizing their specific needs and challenges. The rationale for a family systems ecological perspective is presented to highlight the critical features of effective family support programs for refugee families, followed by a discussion regarding the transitions and adaptation faced by refugee families when entering the United States. Finally, a public-health problem solving model is employed to promote a comprehensive vision for how more effective support can be developed to best serve the mental health needs of refugee families. An integrated case example highlighting the Somali Parent Program, a family-focused intervention, is also provided. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of School Psychology, University of Northern Colorado.
authors.forename: Vanja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pejic
authors.affiliation: Department of School Psychology, University of Northern Colorado.
authors.forename: Robyn S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.affiliation: University of Denver.
authors.forename: Gloria E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of School Psychology, University of Northern Colorado.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wille
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States