The school of social work has received funding for the third year for their Haitian Family Services Program. This year they were given $250,000. The program began three years ago after FAU won the contract from the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. Michele Hawkins, the principal investigator of the program, said it was started because a large amount of Haitians were being referred to the Family Services for child abuse. “Their parenting skills appear to harsher,” Hawkins said. They use more corporal punishment, more spanking and less discussion. They also have “strong cultural differences.” The program’s main focus is to teach them a different set of parenting skills as well as the state and federal laws. Hawkins did not know if the numbers of Haitians being sent to Family Services has gone down or not because “it’s too early to tell.” Another portion of the program helps the newly arrived individuals basically “get started,” here in South Florida by providing services such as healthcare information. The program can also benefit students, said Hawkins. Its paid internship lets students of sociology gain field experience and get credit for their work. Students must be fluent in Creole in order to limit the number of possible applicants. For more information about the program you can contact Hawkins at (561) 297-3234.