Sí, Yo Puedo Curricula and Police Departments: Educating Immigrant Latinas

Abstract

Immigrant Latinas experiencing incidences of interpersonal violence require services from police departments. In a mixed-methods study using a culturally specific curriculum, Si, Yo Puedo, designed to foster self-esteem and provide education on interpersonal violence and healthy relationships, two groups (n = 14) were conducted in 2015 at a precinct in a midwestern state. This group-format curriculum is a 2-hour, topic-specific educational program, conducted in Spanish, offered in 11 weeks. Participants reported an increase in self-esteem and knowledge of interpersonal violence after completing the program. Findings implicate this curriculum as a suitable service tool for police departments working with immigrant Latinas.