Discusses the use of the culturagram, an assessment tool by social workers to help them be more sensitive to the diverse backgrounds, values, and experiences of their clients. The culturagram addresses 10 topics, which may vary in importance: reasons for immigration; length of time in the community; legal or undocumented status; age at time of immigration; language spoken at home and in the community; contact with cultural institutions; health beliefs; holidays and special events; impact of crisis events; and values about family, education, and work. Much information for the culturagram is obtained by face-to-face questioning. A family’s direct involvement in the development of its own culturagram empowers family members to deal with the stresses of relocation. The culturagram not only suggests interventions, but may also suggest the need for family therapy if it reveals divergent values or conflicts within a family. This assessment tool, which recognizing the diversity of family values and customs, enables social workers: to understand the complex affects of culture on families; to separate families from cultural generalizations; and to individualize assessments for family members. It is especially effective with recent immigrants. (33 references)