© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 “Build Bridges!” Cultural Competence for Teens

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 “Build Bridges!” Learning Objectives Introduce and define culture and cultural competence. Explore different perspectives. Discuss differences of culture as it relates to communication styles and various viewpoints.

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 “People hate what they don’t understand.” Anonymous Change Your Mind! Change the World!

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Why Talk About Cultural Competence? To respond to projected demographic changes in the US. To eliminate long-standing disparities. To improve quality of services and healthcare outcomes. To meet federal mandates. To gain competitive edge in the world. Source: National Center for Cultural Competence

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 To Improve Quality of Services and Healthcare Outcomes Health care providers: Must provide holistic care to and work with all types of people Must be respectful of and to all types of people Realize that each person is unique: –Physical characteristics –Family circumstances –Socioeconomic status –Religion –Location –Education –Occupation –Experiences

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Cultural Competence is … Humor, stories, rituals, use of space, and how we greet others. Culture shapes our perceptions of how we view ourselves, others, and the world. Awareness, Skill, Knowledge, and Encounters.

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 A Word About Culture Our beliefs, values, experiences help us to define “cultural competence” which is shared traditionally from generation to generation.

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Now You See It … Now You Don’t! Culture is like an iceberg. Most aspects (or influences) of culture are just beneath the surface.

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 C – U – L – T – U – R - E

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Learn About Your Heritage Which came first?

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 We View the World in Different Ways Individuals from other cultures do not view the world in the same ways. What we think as strange may be normal for others from another culture.

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Americans Value … Research suggests that Americans value: –Informality –Self-reliance –Social Equality –Assertiveness –Optimism Not everyone in the world shares these values … Do they?

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Choose your words wisely! Culture, communication styles and language impact our world. Dialect is as different as night and day. We become the language we speak!

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Developing Positive Relationships What can YOU do to have a positive impact on the lives of others? Just do it!

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Generalizations versus Specifics Generalizations about other people should be qualified. Model culturally sensitive behavior for your family and friends. Choose “better” word choices.

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Character Moment “CARING!”

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Wrap It UP … The End! Distribute Evaluation Administer Post-TEST –Roots Activity –Interview Your Oldest Living Relative –Collage of Family Values –Crossing Borders Passport