"I See Their Purpose": Looking at the Role of Family Advocates in Partnering with Families and

60 Pages·2017·0.17 MB·English

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Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Early Childhood, Special Education, and
Special Education, and Counselor Education Counselor Education
2015
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Sierra K. Leonard
University of Kentucky, [email protected]
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Leonard, Sierra K., ""I See Their Purpose": Looking at the Role of Family Advocates in Partnering with
Families and Advocating for Children in Guatemala City" (2015). Theses and Dissertations--Early
Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education. 22.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edsrc_etds/22
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Sierra K. Leonard, Student
Dr. Lee Ann Jung, Major Professor
Dr. Ralph Crystal, Director of Graduate Studies
“I SEE THEIR PURPOSE”: LOOKING AT THE ROLE OF FAMILY
ADVOCATES IN PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES AND ADVOCATING FOR
CHILDREN IN GUATEMALA CITY
THESIS
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirementsfor the degree of Master of Science in the
College of Education
at the University of Kentucky
By
Sierra Kristen Leonard
Wilmore, Kentucky
Director: Dr. Lee Ann Jung, Professor of Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
Lexington, Kentucky
2015
Copyright © Sierra Kristen Leonard 2015
ABSTRACT OF THESIS
“I SEE THEIR PURPOSE”: LOOKING AT THE ROLE OF FAMILY
ADVOCATES IN PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES AND ADVOCATING FOR
CHILDREN IN GUATEMALA CITY
The purpose of this study was to get an in-depth, complete picture of a social
worker and child/family advocate in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The intent was to study
the participant’s work and responsibilities in order toexamine how she processed and
completed her dual role as social worker/advocateand mother to a group of children in a
children’s home. A focus on responsibility, the effect of her dual role, and the influence
of her personal and religious convictions emerged throughout the study. The
participant’s unique position in a dual role offered insight into the various aspects of
advocacy and intervention in the developing county of Guatemala.
KEYWORDS: Family Intervention, Dual Responsibility, Guatemalan Families, Child
Advocacy, Children’s Home
Sierra Kristen Leonard
November 9, 2015
“I SEE THEIR PURPOSE”: LOOKING AT THE ROLE OF FAMILY
ADVOCATES IN PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES AND ADVOCATING FOR
CHILDREN IN GUATEMALA CITY
By
Sierra Kristen Leonard
Dr. Lee Ann Jung
Director of Thesis
Dr. Ralph Crystal
Director of Graduate Studies
October 19, 2015
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the support
and help of many people that have influenced my life and expanded my learning
throughout these many years. The guidance of my advisor and thesis chair, Dr. Lee Ann
Jung, allowed me to complete my program and glean the most amount of knowledge
from my time in the program. The support of my other committee members, Dr. Jennifer
Grisham-Brown and Dr. Kristen Perry, has given me the opportunity to move out of my
box of comfort and reach my highest potential. In addition, this research would not have
been possible without the opportunity to first travel to Guatemala with Dr. Grisham-
Brown on a school sponsored trip in the summer of 2012. This first trip ignited a love
and passion for the people of Guatemala that is directly connected to thereason behind
this thesis. I am equally grateful to my parents and close friends who supported me,
encouraged me, and willingly and lovingly put up with me when every topic of
conversation revolved around Guatemala. Finally, I wish to thank Diana Sese, who
opened up her life and her home to me, and showed me a world full of love and hope.
Her passion and commitment have impacted my life in a way that can never be changed
or forgotten.
iiiiii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………iii
List of Tables………………………………………………………………………..........vi
Chapter One: Introduction
Purpose of Study…………………………………………………………………..1
Significance of the Problem……………………………………………………….1
Definitions…………………………………………………………………...….....2
Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………………3
Chapter Two: Literature Review
Introduction………………………………………………………………………..4
The Important Role Parents Play………………………………………………….5
The Relationship Between Families and Advocates………………………………6
The Significance of Guatemala……………………………………………………9
Implications for Family Intervention in Guatemala……………………………...12
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….14
Chapter Three: Methodology
Research Design………………………………………………………………….15
Researcher’s Position…...………………………………………………………..15
Participant Selection……………………………………………………………..17
Research Context………………………………………………………………...18
Data Collection…………………………………………………………………..20
Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………….22
Chapter Four: Findings
Social Worker/Advocate Responsibilities……………………………………….25
Dual Role………………………………………………………………………...33
iivv
Personal and Religious Convictions……………………………………………..36
Chapter Five: Discussion
Discussion………………………………………………………………………..40
Implications………………………………………………………………………41
Conclusions………………………………………………………………………42
Appendices
Appendix A. Interview #1 Protocol……………………………………………...43
Appendix B. Interview #2 Protocol……………………………………………...44
Appendix C. Pre-Inteview Family Prompt………………………………………45
Appendix D. Family/Child Service List…………………………………………46
List of References………………………………………………………………………..47
Vita………………………………………………………………………………………51
vv
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1, Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………24
vvii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Purpose of Study
This study wasfor the purpose of looking at family advocates and interventionists
and their relationships with at-risk families in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The research
questions were1) What are the perceptions ofthe role of a family advocate/social worker
with a family? 2) How does the perceivedrelationship between families and advocates
shape and influence how goals and services are implemented for individual families? and
3) How does being a caregiver herself help shape and influence the goals a family
advocate/social workerhas for the families in her case load?
Significance of the Problem
Guatemala, along with other Central American countries, has been at the center of
an immigration debate revolving aroundthe number of children who have suddenly
begun to appear at the Southern border of the United States. Strain (2014) states, “Border
Patrol expects 90,000 unaccompanied children to illegally enter the United States along
our border with Mexico before the close of the current fiscal year, mostly from
[Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador], sent away by their parents from the violence
and poverty and drug lords and gangs and danger” (para. 6). Families in Guatemala find
themselves caught between the numerous riskfactors that are present on a daily basis and
the desire to give their children the best life possible, even if that life is separate from
their family and friends. Intervention is crucial to giving these families the support and
assistance they need to step towards a better future. These interventions can come from a
variety of sources, but must meet the family where they are and work with them on a
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