Resilience in Vulnerable and At-Risk Latino Families

The purpose of this article is to provide information about the strengths of Latino families to provide a knowledge base for providers in order to utilize the natural resiliency of Latinos in their practice and interventions. This article will review the literature and the most prominent theoretical models on the resiliency of Latino families and young children with disabilities. This information is used to create a conceptual model to describe how resilience factors for Latinos can be used by professionals. The conceptual model is a combination of cultural, community, family, and individual factors that produce protective mechanisms inherent to the Latino community and offer areas of resiliency. The article details these 4 domains of resiliency among Latino children and families with disabilities. A clearer understanding of the protective mechanisms for Latino families will increase cultural competence in the areas of policy, research, and practice.