CULTURAL COMPETENCE

Joy Kennedy, Esq., LISW-SAssistant Public Defender

Cuyahoga County

Exercise & Discussion

Think outside the box

Definition:The customary beliefs, social norms,

and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life} shared by people in a place or time -Merrian-Webster Dictionary, 2009

CULTURE

Definition: A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes

and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enables that system, agency, or those professional to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. (Cross, Bazron, Dennis, & Isaacs, 1990).

CULTURAL COMPETENCE

Awareness - consciousness of one’s personal reactions to people who are different.

Attitude – toward cultural differences

Knowledge - of different cultural practices, and worldviews

Skills – used to effectively address diversity

Four Components of Cultural Competence

Why is it important to acknowledge, possess, or

exhibit cultural competence?

Definition:(1) A preconceived judgment or opinion (2) an

adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge (3) an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

PREJUDICE

Acknowledging Prejudices/Biases

How do YOU perceive people with backgrounds that are different than

yours?

How many people do YOU believe should share a bedroom?

Can a single parent raise two children in a one bedroom apartment? Efficiency?

Can children be raised in a 4th floor apartment that has a balcony?

Can a single father raise a newborn child?

How many diapers SHOULD a mother have before she brings her newborn baby from

the hospital?

Acknowledging Prejudices/Biases (Cont.)

SHOULD a 14-year old girl be allowed to keep and parent her newborn child?

Can a client who is diagnosed with schizophrenia properly parent a child? Depression? Bi-Polar Disorder? Can a parent decide whether or not his child will take medication for ADHD? Is his decision to not to allow his child to take the medication synonymous with abuse or neglect?

Acknowledging Prejudices/Biases (Cont.)

Breakdown in communication

Misrepresentation

Possible malpractice claims!

Possible impact when an attorney lacks cultural competence

Tools to Address/Assess Cultural Competence

LISTEN with sympathy and understanding to the client’s perception of the problem

EXPLAIN your perceptions of the problem

ACKNOWLEDGE and discuss the differences and similarities

L-E-A-R-N Model for Cross Cultural Encounters

RECOMMEND possibilities/outcomes

NEGOTIATE agreement on how to proceed

L-E-A-R-N Model for Cross Cultural Encounters (Cont.)

Consider all clients as individuals first, as members of minority status, and then as members of a specific ethnic group.

Never assume that a person’s ethnic identity tells you anything about his or her cultural values or patterns of behavior.

Additional Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Interactions

Treat all “facts” you have ever heard or read about cultural values and traits as hypotheses, to be tested anew with each client. Turn facts into questions.

Identify strengths in the client’s cultural orientation which can be built upon.

Additional Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Interactions (Cont.)

Engage your client actively in the process of learning what cultural content should be considered.

Keep in mind that there are no substitutes for good communication skills, empathy, care, and a sense of humor.

Additional Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Interactions (Cont.)

Recognize diversity

Respect differences

Review your responses

Three R’s of Cultural Competence