Youth and Family Services

The Youth and Family Services department offers culturally-specific education, support, guidance and assistance to youth and their families to help them cope with the particular social and cultural issues that affect them. Goals include encouraging young people's talents and abilities, helping youth avoid at-risk behavior, strengthening family communication, and supporting Hmong culture and language while assisting in adaptation to Western society.

Programs include:

  • Uniting Families (Tsev Neeg Haum Xeeb) provides case management and early childhood skill-building services to families at-risk for abuse or neglect.
     
  • Kev Xaiv (Making Choices)e provides comprehensive-based pregnancy prevention education for Hmong youth in middle and high schools and support services for young Hmong parents
     
  • Passages is a year-round out-of-school-time program benefitting youth on their journey from elementary school through high school and into young adulthood. A menu of academic and enrichment activities is offered including: daily access to a fully-equipped computer lab, homework help and test preparation, reading and journaling activities, college prep assistance, field trips, team building experiences, health and wellness activities, volunteer adn community service projects, scholarships for summer camping, counseling and support groups, and the XtreMEdia summer initiative which promotes creativity through the arts. This is a cooperative effort with the English Education Program.
     
  • Out and About assists the elderly and their families in making informed decisions about home and community-based services, helps in sustaining their independent way of living through access to needed services, and assists family members in managing their health.

Beliefs, Behavior, and Hope in the Hmong Community

In 2002, Lao Family, in conjunction with Good Reason Consulting, received a federal grant to study adolescent pregnancy in the Hmong community. The primary goal of the project was to increase understanding among youth, parents, and leaders in the Hmong community of the attitudes and behaviors regarding adolescent sexuality. 

To view report click here.