1. CULTURAL COMPETENCY
ISELA ARRAS
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
KCADV

3. cultural competency What is it?! “sensitivity” diversity training
focus on “other cultures”
“cultural humility”
list of traits

4. NASW Definition: Cultural Competency
Refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each.

5. VIOLENCE
Violence is anything that threatens human integrity, and leads someone to feel hopelessness and/or helplessness
~Dr. Martin Luther King

6. Sphere of influence

7. racism
heterosexism
sexism

8. So How do we do it?
Presumption of Innocence: When something goes wrong around me, people do not look to me first, or even second, as a probable cause of the problem.
Presumption of Worthiness: The presumption that I am worthy, deserving and good enough to receive, time energy, resources, investment, attention, services, respect, and the benefit of the doubt.
Presumption of Competence: I was always treated as if I was competent, and then given the autonomy, encouragement and feedback to prove it. Trusting that someone is capable of participating actively, efficiently, knowledgeably, and successfully in their own lives / experiences

9. examples of presumptions at work
Innocence
eliminating the use the term “illegal alien” by media
not questioning what victims of rape “were wearing”, etc.
not relying on the idea of “culture” to allow us to not question behaviors
others?
Worthiness
interpreters
protection legislation - dating violence
fairness ordinances
others?
Competence
affirmative action
ADA
Fairness ordinances
engaging in practices to ensure diversity in hiring
EITC
Reproductive health decisions
others?

10. Anita green
How are the presumptions of innocence, worthiness, competence undermined for Anita Green? By individuals, by institutions or by “culture”?

11. examples of presumptions at work
Innocence
racial profiling
welfare drug testing for poor persons
“abusing the system”
others?
Worthiness
reducing benefits because people don’t need assistance
underfunding of government funding for service providers/ safety net
others?
Competence
discriminatory hiring practices
forcing people to make decisions contrary to what they identify as their needs
others?

13. why does she stay?

14. Sphere of influence

16. How do i help someone? Be supportive Provide resources
Be ready to help if the person decides to leave
Keep documentation so that you can report if the situation calls for it.
Remember that the behavior of the victim is NOT the cause of the abuse!
Use continuous positive reinforcement with victims and children living in homes where domestic violence exists.

17. KY Coalition Against Domestic Violence
contact information
ISELA ARRAS
Director of Training
KY Coalition Against Domestic Violence
111 Darby Shire Circle
Frankfort, KY 40601
T: (502)