THE CULTURAL COMPETENCYINITIATIVE

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

MANAGEMENT

STAFF

VOLUNTEERS

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 ReputationIn 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 OutcomesFrom 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 outcomeService providers are culturally competent

Preconditions that support this outcomePolicies Direct ServicesProcedures Leadership SupportPlanning/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 emailed.

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, 2011 @ 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) 432-4196 / carla@reachhealth.org

• Adriana Pecina – Program OfficerHealth Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City(816) 241-7006 / apecina@healthcare4kc.org

• Dr. Walter Boulden – Lead Evaluator Resource Development Institute (816) 221-5000 / bouldenw@rdikc.org

• Dr. Jose Reyes – Lead Consultant Cultural Competency Consulting (720) 394-1378 / Jreyes2197@gmail.com

CONTACTS