Cultural Diversity S. Micheal Pope, CEO ASEB- Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay

Introduction Purpose of this training is to help create an open environment that honors the cultural diversity of all staff and residents/participants.

Cultural Diversity “In just 30 years from now, 40% of Americans will belong to ethnic and cultural groups that are not predominantly European in origin. People who were once considered to be minorities will become emerging majorities….Professionals devoted to caring for them will need to equip themselves to respond to the major demographic changes we are experiencing.” 1999-Department of Health Services

Face of the Future

What is Culture? Has to be learned (not biological) Has to be shared within a group of humans Adapted to the environments in which it exists Always in a state of change, because the environment changes

What is Culture? Culture is the shared values, traditions, norms, customs, arts, history, folklore, and institutions of a group of people. Important influences include age, education, religion, gender, sexual orientation, geography, and socioeconomic status.

Cultural Competence A part of cultural competence is understanding your own cultural orientation; these frame how you view things. As professionals, you will need to be careful that your own beliefs and experiences do not advertently create barriers to caring for individuals with different belief systems.

The Cultural Iceberg

Cultural Competence, cont’d “Doctors, nurses, social workers and others are recognizing that a one-size- fits-all approach won’t work across different cultures, races, and ethnic communities with distinct views of illness and obligations” Urban Physician

The Cultural Iceberg

Ethnicity Not the same as culture Social groups that claim a groupness because of ancestry Includes: language, art There is a choice, it is symbolic Ex. Latino, Chicana, Hispanic, Jewish

Ethnicity Ethnicity is the shopping cart and culture is the groceries we put in the cart.

Changing Face of America

What race am I?

Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity

Culturally Relevant Programs and Services are: In the language of participants Acceptable and compatible to the values, norms and beliefs of the participants Staffed by persons who have language and cultural competence to serve the target population

Culturally Relevant Programs and Services are: Comprehensive, providing for a wide variety of needs Relevant to the client’s needs and way of life Accessible to the clients-affordable and located within the community or in a setting which is acceptable to clients, with convenient hours of operation

Culturally Relevant Programs and Services are : Have credibility with the clients!

Organizational Questions ??? Are your agency’s brochures or flyers describing services and programs in languages other than English? Is it easy for limited-English proficiency elderly to understand your agency’s rules and/or eligibility criteria? Does your agency have bilingual and/or bicultural outreach personnel who already work with target group elders?

Organizational Questions ??? Has your agency developed strategies to address the barriers that may prevent seeking or receiving services by target group elders? Does your agency involve a culturally representative number of persons/elders in the development of agency programs?

Organizational Questions ??? How familiar is agency personnel with cultural/ethnic organizations and the programs/services that they offer in the community? What attempts have been made to coordinate your services with other community based organizations in the community?

Cultural Self-Awareness Exercise Evelyn Lee, Ed.D What is your ethnic background? When did you and/or your family members first migrate to the U.S.? How do your family members see themselves as similar to or different from other ethnic groups? What kind of family experiences influenced your sense of ethnic identity?

Self Awareness Exercise, cont’d What are the values of your ethnic group? What kind of neighborhood did you grow up in? What other ethnic groups lived there? What and when was your first experience of feeling different?

Self-awareness exercise, cont’d What are your earliest images of race or color? How does the media influence your perception of other races? Have you been discriminated against (lack of power) because of your: Appearance, race, age, gender, social and economic status

Building Bridges of Understanding One way to learn about your participants customs, values, and worldview may be to participate in a traditional event such as Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year, a pow-wow, or Kwanzaa.

Building Bridges of Understanding Change is Possible It is a life long Process Your agency/organization will make mistakes Intentions and the actual effect may be different Power issues must be addressed

Building Bridges of Understanding Oppression must be addressed Individual and Agency Change is Important Tokenism is a common Pitfall Be Honest and Realistic Be Open