Pilot Test for Cultural & Linguistic Competence Curriculum

On October 13-16, 2009, the Cultural & Linguistic Competence Training of Trainers Curriculum (CLC-TOT), developed by the National Alliance of Multi-ethnic Behavioral Health Associations (NAMBHA), was pilot-tested with 32 participants selected from over 100 applications. The training was held at the HumRRO, Inc. training facilities in Alexandria, VA.

The primary purpose of the CLC-TOT curriculum is to provide training that addresses more effective implementation of cultural and linguistic competence in behavioral health organizations. The purpose is not to provide a basic understanding of or knowledge about cultural and linguistic competence. Rather, the curriculum is designed to develop a cadre of highly skilled individuals with the ability and commitment to conduct training events and provide facilitation and consultation services to assist those in the field of mental health (and related fields) in implementing effective cultural and linguistic competence strategies at the organizational and systems levels. 

The NAMBHA CLC-TOT is a multi-method knowledge and capacity enrichment curriculum for individuals who have responsibilities for training, facilitating, or implementing cultural and linguistic competence plans or strategies within their organizations, systems or communities. The training curriculum is predicated on the five essential elements of cultural competence identified by Cross & colleagues in the 1989 seminal monograph, Towards A Culturally Competent System of Care. These include: valuing diversity; conducting cultural self-assessments; exploring the dynamics of difference; institutionalizing cultural knowledge; and adapting policies, programs, services and structures to accommodate greater cultural and linguistic competence.

Training participants included cultural competence coordinators, language access coordinators, and technical assistance and training center staff who offer consultation and training or work in organizations that are interested in strengthening their cultural and linguistic competence efforts. The 4-day training was well-received and evaluations/feedback from the participants are being compiled to assist in finalizing the curriculum.

This curriculum was developed by NAMBHA through a subcontract with HumRRO, Inc. HumRRO is the prime contractor for the Eliminating Mental Health Disparities (EMHD) Initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), under contract with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

If you would like more information on the curriculum, click here