Test Your CQ

Even if you're smart and socially adept, you can still lack a high CQ.  While there are many things you can do to increase your cultural competence, the best place to start is with an honest self-assessment, according to Elizabeth Valdez, M.D, executive director of Concilio Latino de Salud.  Here's an excerpt of a self-assessment tool developed by Tawara D. Goode, director of the National Center for Cultural Competence:

For each of the items listed below, select A (things I do frequently), B (things I do occasionally or C (things I do rarely or never).

_____ 1. I avoid imposing values that may conflict or be inconsistent with those of cultures or ethnic groups other than my own.

_____ 2. I screen books, movies, and other media resources for negative cultural, ethnic, or racial stereotypes before sharing them with individuals and families served by my program or agency.

_____ 3. I intervene in an appropriate manner when I observe other staff or clients within my program or agency engaging in behaviors that show cultural insensitivity, racial biases, and prejudice.

_____ 4. I recognize and accept that individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds may desire varying degrees of acculturation into the dominant culture.

_____ 5. I understand and accept that family is defined differently by different cultures (e.g. extended family members, fictive kin, godparents).

_____ 6. I accept and respect that male-female roles may vary significantly among different cultures (eg. who makes major decisions for the family).

_____ 7. I understand that age and life cycle factors must be considered in interactions with individuals and families (e.g. high value placed on the decision of elders, the role of the eldest male or female in families, or roles and expectations of children within the family).

_____ 8. Even though my professional or moral viewpoints may differ, I accept individuals and families as the ultimate decision makers for services and supports impacting their lives.

_____ 9. I recognize that the meaning or value of medical treatment and health education may vary greatly among cultures.

_____ 10. I accept that religion and other beliefs may influence how individuals and families respond to illnesses, disease, and death.

_____ 11. I understand that the perception of health, wellness, and preventive health services have different meanings to different cultural groups.

_____ 12. I recognize and understand that beliefs and concepts of emotional well-being vary significantly from culture to culture.

_____ 13. I understand that beliefs about mental illness and emotional disability are culturally-based. I accept that responses to these conditions and related treatment/interventions are heavily influenced by culture.

_____ 14. I recognize and accept that folk and religious beliefs may influence an individual's or family's reaction and approach to a child born with disability, or later diagnosed with a disability, genetic disorder, or special healthcare needs.

_____ 15. I understand that grief and bereavement are influenced by culture.

_____ 16. I accept and respect that customs and beliefs about food, its value, preparation and use are different from culture to culture.

_____ 17. I seek information from individuals, families or other key community informants that will assist in service adaptation to respond to the needs and preferences of culturally and ethnically diverse groups served by my program or agency.

_____ 18. Before visiting or providing services in the home setting, I seek information on acceptable behaviors, courtesies, customs, and expectations that are unique to the culturally diverse groups served by my program or agency.

_____ 19. I keep abreast of the major health and mental health concerns and issues for ethnically and racially diverse client populations residing in the geographic locale served by my program or agency.

_____ 20. I am aware of specific health and mental health disparities and their prevalence within the communities served by my program or agency.

_____ 21. I am aware of the socio-economic and environmental risk factors that contribute to health and mental health disparities or other major health problems of culturally and linguistically diverse populations served by my program or agency.

_____ 22. I am well versed in the most current and proven practices, treatments, and interventions for the delivery of health and mental health care to specific racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups within the geographic locale served by my agency or program.

_____ 23. I avail myself to professional development and training to enhance my knowledge and skills in the provision of services and supports to culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

_____ 24. I advocate for the review of my program's or agency's mission statement, goals, policies, and procedures to ensure that they incorporate principles and practices that promote cultural and linguistic competence.
 

How to Score Yourself

There are no "right" or "wrong" answers in this self-assessment tool that measures values and attitudes.  But if you frequently responded with a "C," you may not display beliefs, attitudes, values and practices that promote cultural competence within your nonprofit agency.

Don't fret.  None of us can be totally culturally competent, says Kenneth G. Poocha, executive director of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs.  "I don't think that anyone is ever 100 percent culturally competent or can be 100 percent respectful of another person's culture," he says.  "It all boils down to respecting people for their different views and different ways of life."

To complete the full self-assessment, which also takes a look at your communication styles and your nonprofit's environment, visit Georgetown.edu.