1 Application: Cultural Competency Questions � Is it enough to “learn” about diverse groups? � Often information is provided but not applied � It sometimes requires more (personal & professional) preparation initially � Should culturally appropriate norms and strengths be incorporated into work with children and families? � How does such work impact individual and/or organizational structure, training and goals Prerequisites for Cultural Competence � Self Awareness � Understanding of power dynamics Knowledge of differences � Respect � Understanding of the interactions among values, attitudes and knowledge � Strengths based approach Elements of Cultural Competence � Value Diversity � System of Self-Assessment � Aware of dynamics involved when diverse cultures interact � Institutionalize Cultural Knowledge � Teach to all rather than depending on one person to know � Adapt to diversity Continuum of Cultural Competency � Cultural Destructiveness - practices designed to destroy other cultures � Cultural Incapacity - No intent to destroy but ability to respond is missing � Cultural Blindness - believe approaches can be universally applied Continuum of Cultural Competency � Cultural Pre-Competence - realize limitations, hire people that match population and think it is enough � Cultural Competence – See 5 elements � Cultural Proficiency - looking to learn more & develop programs and interventions that meet client needs .

1. 1
Application: Cultural Competency
Questions
� Is it enough to “learn” about diverse
groups?
� Often information is provided but not applied
� It sometimes requires more (personal &
professional) preparation initially
� Should culturally appropriate norms and
strengths be incorporated into work with
children and families?
� How does such work impact individual and/or
organizational structure, training and goals
Prerequisites for Cultural Competence
� Self Awareness
� Understanding of power dynamics
Knowledge of differences
� Respect
� Understanding of the interactions
among values, attitudes and
knowledge
� Strengths based approach

2. Elements of Cultural Competence
� Value Diversity
� System of Self-Assessment
� Aware of dynamics involved when
diverse cultures interact
� Institutionalize Cultural Knowledge
� Teach to all rather than depending on
one person to know
� Adapt to diversity
Continuum of Cultural Competency
� Cultural Destructiveness - practices
designed to destroy other cultures
� Cultural Incapacity - No intent to
destroy but ability to respond is
missing
� Cultural Blindness - believe
approaches can be universally
applied
Continuum of Cultural Competency
� Cultural Pre-Competence - realize
limitations, hire people that match
population and think it is enough
� Cultural Competence – See 5
elements

3. � Cultural Proficiency - looking to learn
more & develop programs and
interventions that meet client needs