Needs Assessment of Spanish Language Training for Psychologists and Other Professionals in a University Community

Abstract

Populations of native Spanish-speakers and Latinos in the United States are growing and moving into parts of the country that are not prepared to provide services to them. Little information is available for psychologists who are interested in increasing competence in working with linguistic minorities. Faculty members and graduate students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania were surveyed to determine if training in the areas of Spanish language and working with Latino populations would benefit the university community. Responses indicated that many people were interested in obtaining training and that psychologists in particular seemed to see the importance and utility of such training. Those developing training programs must consider that respondents were not willing to spend much time or money to obtain training.