Nationally, the largest ethnic group and locally the 2nd largest racial/ethnic group in Chicago, the Latinx community continues to grow exponentially and experiences huge disparities economically, medically and socially. If social workers are to be adequately prepared to service this large community, there is a need for a more prominent Latinx presence within departments of social work in higher learning that understands how to be culturally responsive to the current state of affairs in terms of practices and policies that are threatening the livelihood and wellbeing of this already vulnerable and marginalized population.

At the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work (UIC JACSW) ...by the College’s own reports there are currently only 1 African American/Latino faculty, and Latinx enrollment has been stagnant for the last 3 years in the range of 17-19%, lowest among all human-serving degrees at UIC. After receiving much feedback from students, alumni, and faculty there is a need for:

* More curriculum relevant to Latinx social issues;

* A welcoming environment with no microaggressions;

* Senior-level Latinx faculty and faculty researching Latinx issues that are ready to mentor and serve as ambassadors for Latinx students and the community;

* Increased recruitment/retention of Latinx students to at least one-third, reflecting the local demographics; and

* Internships where the client-base is at least 50% with flexible schedules that include evenings and weekends.

In these trying times it is important that a Latinx Task Force is created to collaborate with the College to have this social work program truly follow its intended mission of advocacy for racial, social and economic justice. Join us in a press conference to express our discontent with Dean Hairston’s refusal to support collaborative efforts for addressing these needs.

#UIC #JACSW #SocialWork #SocialJustice #SocialWorkers #DiversityMeansLatinxToo

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