Cultural Competence

NCCD provides technical assistance in the area of cultural competence to organizations and public and private agencies.

What is cultural competence?

We have learned that, in areas such as medical and mental health services delivery, commonly accepted practices, tools, and processes are not value neutral. The assumption that Eurocentric values and beliefs are universally applicable can be a significant obstacle to members of racial and ethnic minorities in the US trying to access needed services.

Effective communication and service delivery to culturally diverse groups requires a format, language, and environment that respects and acknowledges the culture and experience of the client. When it comes to seeking help with difficult or personal issues, individuals need to trust that their attitudes and beliefs are understood.

For more information, please see the following publication, published in September, 2003, and funded by The California Endowment:

Culture Counts: How Five Community-Based Organizations Serve Asian and Pacific Islander Youth

This two-year effort to examine cultural competence involved an extensive literature review, a survey of organizations, and in-depth reviews of five community-based organizations: Asian American Recovery Services (Santa Clara office), East Bay Asian Youth Center of Oakland, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, Helping and Outreaching to Peers Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) (A&PI Wellness), and United Cambodian Culture Club (UCCC) (Cambodian Community Development).