Community social work practice and ethnic minority professional coalitions: Addressing the needs of Hmong American social work students and professionals

Professionals and students of color often report marginalization and lack of mentoring, networks, learning opportunities, and support within their respective disciplines. Ethnic minority professional coalitions (EMPCs) function to improve career mobility among ethnic minority professionals, increase social support and networks, and reduce isolation. This mixed methods study surveyed Hmong American social workers about the role of EMPCs, barriers to professional practice, and educational and professional needs. Additionally, this paper highlights the Minnesota Hmong Social Workers Coalition (MHSWC), an EMPC that was created in 2015 to address the needs of Hmong social work professionals by utilizing three approaches: a pipeline program, networking opportunities, and a learning community. The results of this study can be used to inform the recruitment and retention of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students and practitioners in the field of social work.