THE CULTURAL COMPETENCY INITIATIVE

The REACH Healthcare Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to improving access to health care for poor and medically underserved children and adults through financial support of effective programs. Region … Six counties spanning two-state region in Kansas and Missouri Funding Areas … Oral Health, Mental Health, Safety Net Health Services

HCF is dedicated to our mission of providing leadership, advocacy, and resources to eliminate barriers and promote quality health for uninsured and underserved in our service area. Region … Six counties spanning two-state region in Kansas and Missouri Funding Areas … Healthy Lifestyles, Mental Health, Safety Net Health Care

Growing diversity across the region, including in suburban communities. Patients bring various perspectives about health based on their social and/or cultural backgrounds. Cultural competence can improve provider-service recipient communication, trust and adherence to medical instructions – leading to better health outcomes. WHY CULTURAL COMPETENCY?

 Improve service delivery and reduce health disparities by … Increasing understanding and the practice of cultural competency in nonprofit health and human service organizations. INITIATIVE GOAL

Cathy Anderson, Jewish Vocational Services Lt. Commander Tracy Branch, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Karen Dace, UMKC Darryck Dean, Harmony Micah Flint, Institute for International Medicine Randy Lopez, REACH Healthcare Foundation Eve McGee, REACH Healthcare Foundation Joseph Palm, Office of Minority Health, MDHSS Manuel Perez, Jr., KCMO Health Department Adriana Pecina, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City Theresa Reyes-Cummings, Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund Carlos Salazar, United Way of Greater Kansas City Dr. Susan Wilson, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City INITIATIVE STEERING COMMITTEE

Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. 'Culture' refers to patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups. 'Competence' implies the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities. [Adapted from Cross, T., Bazron, B., Dennis K., & Isaacs, M., 1989.] WORKING DEFINITION

1.Build understanding of national best practices in cultural competency. 2.Strengthen awareness of how cultural competence, access and delivery of health services connects with health outcomes. 3.Enable health and human service providers to recognize and respond to the needs of their target populations. INITIATIVE OUTCOMES

4.Engage the region’s foundations in supporting efforts to strengthen cultural competency. 5.Build the capacity of local providers to lead future cultural competency efforts. OUTCOMES (cont)

Lead by Example Organizational Sustainability Infrastructure Development Diversity Integration Organization Inclusiveness Community Driven INITIATIVE OVERVIEW

Organizational Focus Organizational Structure Cultural Competence Sustainability Diversity Integration Policy Review Assessment / Survey Development of Program Indicators Sustainability Plan Training Evaluation BOARD OF DIRECTORS MANAGEMENTSTAFFVOLUNTEERS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

 Board  Employee  Workplace  Community  Service Incorporate Inclusion and Diversity as an Organizational Value Workforce with Best Talent / Increased Staff Satisfaction Integrated Inclusive Work Environment Positive Reputation In all Communities Integrated and Diverse Organization Integration of Inclusion and Diversity in Decision Making / Organizational Development Retention / Diverse Workforce Increased Performance & Innovation / Flexibility Community Partnerships and Involvement Inclusive Policy and Service / Increased Access to Diverse / Underserved Consumers / Clients To Organizational Outcomes To Diversity Outcomes From Current INITIATIVE BENEFITS

 Focus on organizational cultural competence … o Increasing diversity of health care workforce and leadership. o Strengthening organizational capacities, such as diversity in leadership of health care delivery systems (including trustees and senior management). o Increasing diversity among staff, providers. o Strategies for diversity in hiring practices. PROGRESS INDICATORS

Desired outcome Service providers are culturally competent Preconditions that support this outcome PoliciesDirect Services ProceduresLeadership Support Planning/Service Design Indicators of success identified for each precondition INDICATORS (cont)

Up to 10 organizations will be selected. Technical assistance term runs 12 months. Organizations must meet Foundation’s general eligibility criteria. Completed application can be mailed or ed. APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Consists of: 1.Cover Page 2.Statement of Commitment 3.Narrative Statement of Request 4.Copy of Organization’s IRS Letter APPLICATION PACKAGE

Should address (within four pages): 1.Describe organization, and your experience with diversity and inclusion. 2.Describe conditions in your organization and/or community that explain your interest in cultural competency. 3.Discuss level of commitment of board of directors and capacity to sustain efforts. 4.Describe organization’s ability to dedicate staff resources and capacity to continue efforts beyond the TA period. NARRATIVE STATEMENT

Evidence of organizational readiness (including commitment of the board). Demonstrated understanding of the barriers affecting culturally competent delivery of services. Evidence of commitment to sustain efforts beyond the TA period. SELECTION CRITERIA

Application Deadline:Friday, December 16, 4:00 p.m. Notification of Awards: Friday, February 10, 2012 T.A. Period: March 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013 APPLICATION TIMELINE

Carla Gibson – Initiative Lead, Program Officer REACH Healthcare Foundation (913) / Adriana Pecina – Program Officer Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (816) / Dr. Walter Boulden – Lead Evaluator Resource Development Institute (816) / Dr. Jose Reyes – Lead Consultant Cultural Competency Consulting (720) /