Cultural Competency

Cultural Competency and Service Provision

Cultural competence (operationally defined) is “the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural tings to increase the quality of services; thereby producing better outcomes.” (taken from www.cecp.air.org).

With diversity growing nationwide and in the Long Island area, where Abilities! is located, it is of critical importance for service providers to consider the interaction between cultural diversity and the services they provide. The Research & Evaluation Center is interested in initiatives that work to identify and address issues related to cultural competence and disability services. As a result of this interest, staff from the REC participates in the following:

presentation

Alianza de Latinos Discapacitados (ALD)

The Long Island Center for Independent Living has established an alliance of service providers interested in issues that affect the Latino community with disabilities. This committee provides an opportunity for service providers and consumers to meet and discuss issues that are of importance to Hispanics with disabilities in Nassau County. This group provides workshops, informational presentations and a forum for individuals with similar concerns to meet and exchange information. The objectives of the alliance are to:

  • Represent the needs of Latinos with disabilities
  • Educate legislators, agencies, other coalitions and alliances, and the general public, about the issues affecting this particular group.
  • Organize Latinos with disabilities to become effective self-advocates.

Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee of Nassau County

The MAC is made up of individuals from various organizations, predominately in the mental health field, which serve the communities of Nassau County. Its purpose is to “assess and assure equal access of resources and services to all segments of the population, particularly those who have been historically un-reached and underserved”. The MAC advises the Nassau County Commissioner of Mental Health on programs and activities regarding multicultural mental health matters and the under-served. The MAC hopes to develop a better understanding of the current level of cultural competency of service providers in Nassau County to determine if training in this area is necessary. If such a need is identified the MAC would advise the Nassau County Commissioner of Mental Health on the need for training.

Related Events Sponsored by the Center:

  • A full day workshop on culture brokering, presented by Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE). March 2003.
  • “Maintaining the Asking Stance: Diversity in Service Provision.” Half-day workshop sponsored in collaboration with NYS Office of Mental Health, Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Mental retardation & Developmental Disabilities and the Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee of Nassau County. November 2003.
  • “Bridges to Employment for Latinos with Disabilities.” Second national conference. August 2003

Useful Links

For more information contact at 516-465-1601.

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