Preparing for Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities in Child Welfare James L. Mason, Ph.D. Portland, Oregon

1. Preparing for Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities in Child WelfareJames L. Mason, Ph.D.Portland, Oregon Washington, DC October 19, 2005

2. Dimensions of Diversity • Cultural Groups of Color • Black or African Americans • Hispanic or Latino Americans • Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders • Native Americans and American Natives • Non-Ethnic Cultural Groups • (e.g., women, people w/disabilities, poor) • Refugees and Immigrants • Survival vs. Opportunity

3. Cultural Identity SES Nationality Language/Style Family Constellation Social History Sexual Orientation Generational Status Cultural Factors That Influence Diversity Among Individuals and Within Groups • Health Beliefs • Time Orientation • Age/Life Cycle • Spatial Patterns • Gender & Sexuality • Physicality • Religion/Spirituality Modified from James Mason, Ph.D., NCCC Senior Consultant Developed by National Center for Cultural Competence, 2002

4. Cultural Identity SES Nationality Language/Style Family Constellation Social History Sexual Orientation Generational Status Cultural Factors That Influence Diversity Among Individuals and Within Groups • Health Beliefs • Time Orientation • Age/Life Cycle • Spatial Patterns • Gender & Sexuality • Physicality • Religion/Spirituality Modified from James Mason, Ph.D., NCCC Senior Consultant Developed by National Center for Cultural Competence, 2002

5. Stereotypical Values: Anglo vs. Ethnocultural Anglo American Mastery over nature Personal control Doing Time dominates Egalitarianism Individualism/privacy Youth Self help Competition Future orientation Informality Direct/open Practicality Materialism Ethnocultural Groups Harmony with nature Fate Being People dominate Hierarchy/rank Group welfare Elders Birthright inheritance Cooperation Past orientation Formality Indirect, face, ritual Idealism Spiritualism (Adapted from Schilling and Brannon, 1986) Taken from Strategies for Working with Culturally Diverse Communities and Clients, Elizabeth Randall-David, Ph.D. Office of Maternal and Child Health and Resource Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.

6. Environmental Issues That Influence Diversity Between Groups • Institutional Biases • Community Economics • Inter-group Relations • Natural Networks of Support • Community History • Political Climate • Workforce Diversity • Community Demographics

7. Natural Helpers and Leaders • Natural Networks of Support • Merchants and Businesspeople • Natural Leaders & Community Elders • Faith-Based Institutions • Ethnic Media & Personalities • Advocacy Organizations • Collateral Agencies • Social Networks

8. Cultural Competence For the Individual: The state of being capable of functioning effectively in the context of cultural differences. For the Organization: A set of congruent practice skills, attitudes, policies and structures, which come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enable that system, agency or those professionals to work effectively in the context of cultural differences

9. Organizational Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Questions • What culturally diverse groups are you serving? • What drives your diversity efforts? • What are the cultural barriers/issues you face in providing quality services? • Describe the linkages and contacts you have within culturally diverse communities? • Identify any cross cultural “success stories” or examples of cultural strengths you have experienced. Why? How? Replicable?