SAMHSA/CSAP’s Hispanic/Latino Initiative

In the Spring of 1995, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services authorized the establishment of the Departmental Working Group on Hispanic Issues. Part of the Hispanic Agenda for Action calls for an increase in the Department's capacity to reach out to the growing Hispanic/Latino customer population. The Agenda also calls for a process for communicating with Hispanic/Latino customers using culturally and language appropriate techniques.

In answer to this call for action, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA/CSAP) established the Hispanic/Latino Steering Committee to recommend and guide SAMHSA's initiative. Members of this committee represent a diverse spectrum of the Hispanic/Latino community and have expertise in working with Hispanic/Latino families and children in the areas of substance abuse prevention/treatment and mental health.

The Hispanic/Latino Initiative has released two sets of materials. Phase I is aimed at parents, children and community leaders, and Phase II is targeted to Latinas ages 9-14 and their mothers and caregivers.