Strategic intervention: a mental health program for the Hispanic community.

Over the past three years the Worcester Youth Guidance Center has developed a series of mental health programs directed to the Hispanic community of Worcester, Massachusetts. The model for these programs has been that of strategic intervention. This approach was based upon knowledge gained from the literature and extensive exploratory contacts with key Hispanic leaders. The Center's Hispanic Program consists of five components: (1) community education and training. (2) clinical consultation, (3) program consultation, (4) research, and (5) clinical intervention and case management. This article describes these components in detail and presents a rationale for strategic intervention.