ASORIA, N.Y. (PRWEB)
October 28, 2022

New York-based CEO and Founder of Latinx In Social Work Inc. Erica P. Sandoval, LCSW, is continuing to educate readers on the importance of having Latinx/e social workers helping clients in their communities with the launch of her new anthology “Latinx/e in Social Work Vol. II.”

Published by Fig Factor Media, “Latinx/e In Social Work Vol. II” features 23 authors from the social work field presenting their stories, challenges, and successes while navigating their careers and serving their communities. Recently, Sandoval and the new authors presented their stories during a special book launch in New York City.

“The authenticity of our stories in Volume II will allow readers to process their own journeys and feel supported,” Sandoval said. “The book has also allowed us to create a mentorship network and connect social workers from different industries. This kind of networking hasn’t been done before but is desperately needed.”

Sandoval knows that this book and the one launched last year – “Latinx in Social Work” – resonated with many readers who sent her positive responses.

“Countless people have told me how they finally saw themselves reflected in a social work text and how meaningful it was to have their experiences validated throughout the book,” she said. “When the book was released, we were a No. 1 bestseller in Amazon’s social work category. Schools of social work have clamored to include the book in their curricula. We were thrilled to collaborate with the New York University Silver School of Social Work on a discussion series about racial discrimination within social work and the importance of mentorship, which more than 1,000 people attended.”

Volume II authors are the following:

• Ernest Gonzales, PhD, MSSW
• Leticia L. Cavazos, DSW, LMSW
• Anderson Torres, Ph.D., LCSW-R
• Virgen Luce ACSW, LCSW-R, MSW, BA
• Olga Preciado, LMSW
• Budy J. Whitfield, LCSW
• Basiliso Moreno, LMSW
• Harleny Vasquez, LMSW, SIFI
• Monika C. Estrada Guzman, BSW, LMSW, SIFI
• Elizabeth Conde, LMSW, SIFI
• Yaberci Perez-Cubillan, LCSW-R
• Rosita L. Marinez, MS-NPL, ADV-CSW, MSW, SIFI
• Jean Carlos Osorio, LCSW-R,CDBT, SIFI
• Emilio Tavarez, MSW
• Giselle Rodriguez, LCSW
• Julissa Vasquez, LCSW SIFI
• Antonio Morales, LCSW
• Karen Conlon, LCSW CCATP
• Carolyn Peguero Spencer, MA, LCSW, BC-TMH, PhD (c)
• Kevin Caraballo Barrios, LMSW
• Gisselle Pardo, LCSW, MPH
• Dianne Morales, MS, EdM
• Erica P. Sandoval, LCSW-SIFI

Sandoval added that she has generously donated 100% of the retail proceeds of Volume I to Latino Coalition Scholarship Fund Inc. for scholarships for Latinx/e students pursuing their Master of Social Work degrees. Since the first book, she has donated $5,000 to help these students with tuition and licensing exam fees.

Sandoval explained there is an important need for Latinx/e social workers.

“According to a Pew Research Center statistic, the US Latinx/e population is up from 62.5 million in 2021 from 50.5 million in 2010, making us one of the fastest-growing demographics,” she explained. “However, the number of Latinx/e social workers is not nearly proportionate to our share of the population. On top of that, there are still several barriers to accessing mental health for the Latinx/e community, from lack of linguistically appropriate service (only 5% of licensed US therapists provide services in Spanish, according to the American Psychological Association) to the lack of access to health insurance (20% of Latinx/e folks don’t have health insurance, per Mental Health America). More than 10 million Latinx/e folks reported having a mental health illness, and only 34% of them receive treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Sometimes mental health treatment is something not talked about openly and could be seen as a weakness. Let’s open up a discussion about mental health and raise awareness.”

Enthusiastically supporting Sandoval and the authors is the president of the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund, Luisa Lopez.

“I am thrilled at the publication of the second volume of ‘Latinx/e in Social Work’ and know that just like volume one, this book will have a major impact on generations of social workers to come,” said Lopez. “We are honored to have been selected to be the recipient of the donations, which will go a long way in ensuring that there is a vibrant and robust pipeline of Latinx/e social work students ready and able to serve in our most vulnerable communities. I thank Erica Sandoval for her generosity, and all the excellent authors for authentically sharing their stories for the benefit of the future of social work.”

“Latinx/e In Social Work Vol. II” is available for purchase on Amazon. A recording of the virtual launch can be viewed here.

About Latinx in Social Work Inc.

Latinx in Social Work is a book is about space. The space we take up, the spaces we create and nurture, and the spaces that have yet to exist, but are so crucial to the growth and development of Latinx social workers, mental health practitioners, executives, and professionals in all industries in this country, and beyond. This book is a revolutionary step in creating a movement that is committed to owning our own narratives, naming common but unspoken struggles and challenges, and driving our own healing from the past while highlighting our successes and creating a space for hope for the future. For more information, visit https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/.

About Fig Factor Media:

Fig Factor Media Publishing is an international publishing company with a “beeping” heart. Fig Factor Media has helped many authors achieve and support their dream of impacting their communities in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Fig Factor Media is the official publisher of Today’s Inspired Latina. For information, visit http://figfactormedia.com/. ###

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