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Supporting Cultural Competency

As the Twin Cities area continues to become more culturally diverse, many non-profit organizations have provided training and consultation related to diversity and cultural competency. Just as services and programs must incorporate new learning and adapt to meet the changing needs of clients, diversity training is never “done.” Understanding cultural dynamics is recognized as critical to providing effective and respectful service and as a primary training need in many fields.

In Guidelines for Culturally Competent Organizations (2004), the Minnesota Department of Human Services recommends that health and human service organizations “develop core and continuing education curricula for professional and clinical staff and contractors, paraprofessionals, administrators, and support personnel. Training can enhance (a) culturally-specific knowledge, (b) cross-cultural skills in service and treatment provision, (c) skills in cross-cultural communication and languages, and (d) attitudes.”

As a Community Mental Health Center based in Minneapolis, with offices in Brooklyn Park and Hopkins, Washburn Center for Children serves a diverse clientele. One of the agency’s strategic goals is also to provide training and consultation for professionals in the community and at Washburn and for students. An organizational self-assessment completed in 2003 helped focus priorities on training and consultation related to cultural competency and internal team-building and communication.

Washburn Center for Children has supported many efforts and made progress in the areas of fostering diversity and cultural competence in the agency; however, Washburn is also aware of the need for ongoing work and growth in many areas and for continuing to build on what the agency has started.

Go to Supporting Cultural Competency to read the full article.