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DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Lathcha Brown

MSW, LMSW

Transforming Parenting Programs: Integrating Culturally Responsive Strategies to Strengthen Black Families

Concentration -

  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025 -
  • 1:00 pm
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Abstract

Parenting is deeply shaped by cultural values, historical experiences, and personal identity, all of which play a crucial role in how families interact with and respond to the world around them. For Black families, these influences are often shaped by unique challenges such as systemic racism, cultural heritage, and the impact of past generations. These factors significantly affect parenting styles, beliefs, and the support needed to navigate societal pressures. Unfortunately, many mainstream parenting programs overlook these critical elements. We will explore the consequences of applying standardized parenting strategies without considering the diverse cultural contexts of the families they aim to serve. Emphasizing the need for cultural adaptation, this presentation will focus on practical approaches to make parenting programs more relevant and effective for Black families. Key topics will include the importance of racial socialization, integrating community, and focusing on strength-based frameworks. Through case studies and evidence-based strategies, we will demonstrate how cultural relevance can increase engagement, reduce barriers, and improve program outcomes. Participants will gain valuable insights into adapting interventions, collaborating with communities, and ensuring that programs are culturally responsive. The goal is to provide actionable strategies that enhance the impact of parenting programs for Black families, creating trust, empowerment, and long-term success. This session is not just about changing how we approach parenting but about changing the future for Black children, their families, and their communities by recognizing their worth, strength, and voice.

Biography

Lathcha Brown is a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky School of Social Work, focusing on child and family strengthening, parenting, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina.
Lathcha’s professional experience includes working as a child and family therapist, domestic violence advocate, and supervisor for a children’s program. She was recognized as Employee of the Year for her key role in providing critical support to families in crisis within a domestic violence intervention program. Lathcha’s personal and professional experiences have shaped her research on the unique obstacles Black families face in accessing culturally responsive parenting support. Lathcha has observed how racial insensitivity, overt and subtle, undermines the empowerment of Black parents.
Her research aims to develop culturally responsive parent training programs that incorporate racial socialization strategies to support Black families. Lathcha presented her research, Cultural Adaptation in Parent Training Programs: Addressing the Black Parent Experience at the 2024 National DSW Conference on Social Work Education and Practice. She also contributed a chapter, "Empowering Families: A Culturally Adaptive Parenting Framework", to the book Human Behavior Theories and Models: An Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Approach for Empowerment Practice.
Additionally, Lathcha’s work is informed by intersectionality, exploring how race, gender, class, and disability impact parenting and family well-being. She seeks to expand her research to create more inclusive, equitable support.