Development and Effects of Empowerment Education Program for Korean-American Families with Disabilities

The purpose of this study is to develop and implement an empowerment education program for family-centered social welfare practice to address the needs of Korean immigrant families with disabilities in the United States and to verify its effectiveness.To achieve this, the study explored the realities, internal and external crises, and characteristics of these families and developed a program to enhance the empowerment of families and caregivers.The program underwent a trial operation from February 2023 to May 2024, which included four stages: preparation, development, implementation, and evaluation.The results showed a significant increase in family cohesion (p<.05), family empowerment (p<.05), and empowerment at the service system level (p<.05) between pre-and post-tests of a single group.Based on these findings, the study suggests educational and practical implications for Korean immigrant families with disabilities.First, the development of practical programs to improve family cohesion and adaptability is recommended.Second, improving the accessibility of service systems for families with disabilities should be prioritized.Third, the establishment of an integrated support network for these families is suggested.Fourth, the development of disability awareness education programs for community professionals is proposed to foster better understanding and support for families with disabilities.Finally, program approaches that take into account the environment and circumstances of Korean American families with disabilities should be developed.