AAFS was established to address the availability, accessibility and utilization of mental health services among the Asian American population in the Greater Houston area. One of the major barriers to care has been the lack of licensed and trained mental health professionals who are linguistically and culturally competent in serving the diverse Asian population. This workforce issue, or lack thereof, continues to be a major challenge.
Here at AAFS, we developed the Stanley Sue Center for Cultural Competency Endowed Fund to help rectify this issue to better serve and celebrate the rich diversity of our community. The establishment of the Stanley Sue Center for Cultural Competency is dedicated to the promotion of cultural competency. It serves as a community resource and provides training opportunities for mental health professionals of all ethnic backgrounds. The Center awards scholarships to recruit and encourage linguistically and culturally competent students to become exceptional mental health professionals and to encourage them to serve our community upon completion of training.
Education and Training
The Stanley Sue Center for Cultural Competency works to educate professionals and the public in Asian American psychological, social and multicultural issues. The Center also works to train mental heath professionals in addressing Asian American issues. Call us for more information at 713-600-9400.
Stanley Sue Center for Cultural Competency
Dedicated to the promotion of cultural competency, the Center serves as a community resource and provides training opportunities for current and burgeoning mental health professionals to benefit the community.
Graduate Internships & Post-Doctoral Fellowships
Since 1998, AAFS has been a practicum and internship placement for graduate students in various mental health disciplines, particularly for students at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work. Post-doctoral training was added in 2004 for clinical psychologists. Call us for more information at 713-600-9400.
Morning Tea Seminars
The Center has provided bi-monthly cross-cultural competency training seminars since 2000. Check the calendar for current events or call us for more information at 713-600-9400.
Educational Conferences
One recent conference, “Beyond Chopsticks: Innovative and Practical Approaches in Working with Asian Americans,” addressed intercultural issues and its impact on issues related to youth, seniors, substance abuse and women’s mental health. Check the calendar for current events or call us for more information at 713-600-9400.
CEU Provider
Since 2001, AAFS has been an approved continuing education provider by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. Call us for more information at 713-600-9400.
In-Service Training
AAFS provides staff development training to area school districts, hospitals, police departments and corporate EAP groups. Call us for more information at 713-600-9400.
Public Awareness and Outreach Campaigns
The Center works to raise awareness about the mental health needs and services in the Asian community via ethnic media outlets, including radio talk shows and newspapers columns.