Everybody has a culture, whether clearly manifested in its more traditional forms or not. Sonia Nieto, Affirming Diversity (1992, p.16)

What is Cultural Competence? 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 professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations (Isaacs & Benjamin, 1991). Operationally defined, cultural competence is the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services; thereby producing better outcomes (Davis, 1997).

Operationalizing Cultural Competence  Value Diversity  Cultural Self-Assessment  Under the Dynamics of Cultural Interactions  Institutionalization of Cultural Knowledge  Adapt to Diversity King, Sims & Osher, 2003

Different Communication Styles Different Attitudes Toward Conflict Different Approaches to Completing Tasks Different Decision-Making Styles Different Attitudes Toward Disclosure Different Approaches to Knowing Six Fundamental Patterns of Cultural Differences

How is Cultural Competence Integrated within Education? and Why is it critical to the processes of transition? To encourage culturally competent and linguistically appropriate exchanges and collaborations among families, professionals, students, and communities. These collaborations should foster equitable outcomes for all students and result in the identification and provision of services that are responsive to issues of race, culture, genders and social and economic status. National Agenda for Achieving Better Results for Children and Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance.

Kalyanpur & Harry, (1999). Cultural in special education: Building reciprocal family-professional relationships. Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co. Cultural Reciprocity ■Beyond Awareness of Differences to Self- Awareness ■Aims for Subtle Levels of Awareness of Differences ■Has Universal Applicability ■Beyond Awareness of Differences to Self- Awareness ■Ensures that Both Parents and Professionals Are Empowered. (1999. pg )