CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC COMPETENTCY ON THE US/MEXICO BORDER Esteban Zubia

1. CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC COMPETENTCY ON THE US/MEXICO BORDEREsteban Zubia

2. Why look at cultural and linguistic competency locally? • Local culture provides a sense of identity for all communities and residents. • This identity facilitates common understandings, traditions, and values that are all central to the identification of plans of action to improve mental health well-being. • It is important to provide a local linkage and cultural basis for mental health care. • Cultural and linguistic competency serves to promote the local identity, regional languages, and minority cultures.

3. Biggest barrier? • Our biggest barrier was getting the buy-in from our own governance committee and private providers.

4. What was done and how did it make a difference? • Established a policy and adopted the “Culturally and • Linguistically Appropriate Services” (CLAS) using it’s six • domains • Provided training assistance to mental health care • providers • Provided bilingual/bicultural literature, assistance, • and respecting families as the primary source for defining • needs and priorities.

5. Individual Level • Acknowledged cultural differences • Understood your own culture • Engaged in self-assessment • Acquired cultural knowledge & skills • Viewed behavior within a cultural context (Cross, Bazron, Dennis and Isaacs, 1989) Slide Source: National Center for Cultural Competence,2007 Five Elements of Cultural Competence

6. Organizational Level • Valued diversity • Adapted to diversity - policies - structures - values - services • Conducted cultural self-assessment • Managed the dynamics of difference • Institutionalized cultural knowledge (Cross, Bazron, Dennis and Isaacs, 1989) Slide Source: National Center for Cultural Competence,2007 Five Elements of Cultural Competence

7. How we Incorporated Cultural Competency Standards into Practice • Used open-ended questions to identify each person’s unique cultural outlook. • Re-evaluated intake and assessment documentation, as well as policies and procedures, to be more inclusive. • Employed qualified mental health workers who are fluent in the languages of the groups being served. • Understood the cultural biases of staff and provide training to address educational needs.

8. How we Incorporated Cultural Competency Standards into Practice Cont. • Understood the cultural biases in program design. • Identified resources, such as natural supports, within the community that will help an individual recover. • Designed and implemented culturally sensitive treatment plans. • Evaluated procedures and programs for cultural sensitivity and effectiveness.

9. Biggest success? • Many community agencies participated in the training offered and implemented our recommendations within their practice.

10. Suggestions for other communities? • Our suggestions are to start within your own organizations with a self and organizational level assessment. • Use the technical support offered by the grantor. • Start disseminating cultural and linguistic literature and material early within the community and agencies.