#18 Diversity and Cultural Competence 2004-2005

Meredith Bellson 13 posts Aug 17, 2007 11:41 AM

#18. Diversity and Cultural Competence 2004-2005 NOTE: POST A MESSAGE TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS! WHEREAS, our society and the people being served have become increasingly more diverse with a wide array of cultures, races, and ethnicities; and WHEREAS, diversity and culture extend beyond race and ethnicity; and WHEREAS, the people being served have varying needs and resources, with barriers limiting access to and utilization of services directly impacted by their culture and ethnicity; and WHEREAS, health and social service workers need to understand the relationship between diversity and discrimination with regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political beliefs, religion, and mental and physical disabilities; and WHEREAS, health and social service workers have an ethical obligation to provide culturally sensitive and culturally competent care with equal access and freedom from oppression, discriminations, and social injustice; and WHEREAS, health and social service workers have an ethical obligation to identify strengths in all cultures, and to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs; and WHEREAS, the 2001 Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health: Culture, Race and Ethnicity addressed one significant area of discrimination with the following: (quote) • "Mental illnesses are real, disabling conditions affecting all populations, regardless of race or ethnicity; • Striking disparities in mental health care are found for racial and ethnic minorities: ? Minorities have less access to, and availability of, mental health services; ? Minorities are less likely to receive needed mental health services; ? Minorities in treatment often receive a poorer quality of mental health care; ? Minorities are under represented in mental health research; • Disparities impose a greater disability burden on minorities"; and WHEREAS, startling disparities in physical health also exist; in Tennessee, African-Americans die much earlier and at more alarming rates than their Caucasian counterparts even after accounting for the population differences, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (DCD), 2004; and WHEREAS, TCSW, organized in 1913, has a history of advocacy, education and impacting social policy, with the mission "to promote the social and economic well-being of Tennesseans"; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that TCSW acknowledges the unique needs, capabilities, potential, and aptitudes that diverse populations bring to our communities; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that TCSW recognizes the need to educate individuals, communities, and institutions about the issues that place diverse populations at-risk to encounter discrimination, oppression, and barriers that limit access to needed services and resources; and often restrict diverse populations from contributing to and fully participating in social, economic, political, and spiritual activities of the communities in which they live; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that TCSW encourages service providers to examine their own cultural backgrounds and identities while seeking out the necessary knowledge, skills, and values that can enhance the delivery of culturally sensitive and culturally competent services.

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