Type of services provided:
SAPHAL (South Asian Parents/Caregivers: Heal And Learn) is a primary prevention program providing culturally responsive healthy relationships education to parents & caregivers. SAPHAL is delivered through a series of psycho-educational workshops, on a variety of different topics pertaining to building healthy relationships.
Program setting:
Community-Based Agency, Day Care, Family Service Agencies, Headstart and Early Education Programs, Health Services, Mental Health Setting, School. The SAPHAL program can also be implemented online to meet the flexible needs of communities.
Length of program/number of sessions:
SAPHAL is offered through 6-week cohorts, where one 2hour module is facilitated for a group on a weekly basis. SAPHAL also offers 2 hour standalone workshops based on participant interest/needs.
Type(s) of trauma/concerns addressed:
The program model is designed to address Healthy Relationships and as a result these other topics may arise: Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse, Community Violence, Verbal/Emotional Abuse, Mental Health Issues/Concerns, Systemic/Interpersonal Racism, Historical Trauma.
Education level of providers:
While there is no education level requirement, program implementers typically have a strong background in mental health education, South Asian immigrant family dynamics, and understanding the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The program is best implemented by a DV/SA advocate as well as someone who identifies as South Asian. Sessions are co-facilitated by a licensed therapist and a DV/SA advocate.
Additional information:
South Asian Parents/Caregivers: Heal And Learn (SAPHAL) was created to address a unique gap in prevention work – culturally specific programs targeted toward parents and caregivers. As such, SAPHAL is a psychoeducational program providing culturally responsive healthy relationships education to parents and caregivers within the South Asian American community. SAPHAL’s goal is to focus on the ways South Asian families & communities can embrace their cultural identities, while simultaneously building healthy relationships with their youth and communities at large. SAPHAL was designed with the inputs of the South Asian American immigrant community, a South Asian therapist & South Asian advocates. The program incorporates evidence-based practices in a culturally sensitive manner to address the unique needs of the community, through 5 core sessions on building healthy relationships. The program is delivered through a series of weekly workshops, over a 6-week period. SAPHAL’s core modules are presented in the following order:
- Understanding the Developing Brain
- Emotion Regulation
- Self-Compassion
- Boundaries
- Praise & Apology
SAPHAL also offers standalone workshops being a trusted adult, teen dating & supporting youth through teen dating violence. SAPHAL also makes use of supplemental materials such as slide decks and a workbook, that can be used while attending the workshop series.
Unique/Innovative Characteristics:
SAPHAL was created to address a unique gap in prevention work; healthy relationships work is often targeted at youth in the community. However, for the work to be sustainable, youth need the support of parents & caregivers to create environments where healthy relationships can thrive. Programs that exist for parents & caregivers are often culture-neutral & do not address the role that culture plays in relationships. Solutions for the problems faced by different communities can be found within the community itself. Therefore, SAPHAL’s goal is to focus on the ways South Asian families & communities can embrace their cultural identities, while simultaneously building healthy relationships.