Cultural Competence
Did You Know?
“Top 10” Lessons Learned on CUlTurAL Competence from the TBI State Agency Grants
The TBI Technical Assistance Center at NASHIA has compiled the following "Top 10" lessons learned on cultural competence utilizing myriad resources from the States, including final reports, conference calls, and its expertise. (Please note: While the list is not in order of importance, it begins with potential starting points and moves to planning and evaluation.)
Perform a self-assessment. What do I bring to the table? What is my knowledge, behavior, or attitude? Does it affect how I interact with others?
Involve people from culturally diverse communities early in every process (e.g., outreach activities, Needs and Resources Assessment process, and the writing of grant applications) and at every stage. Remember you don't have all the answers.
Don’t make promises or assumptions.
Listen and Learn. Learning is continuous. Be open to learning. Ask questions.
Take time to build relationships. Be patient. Building relationships takes time. Developments of new partnerships are on-going, not temporary.
Build upon community resources. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Link with “opinion leaders” in the community.
Hire staff with experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and who could facilitate communication between your State TBI Program and the community.
Share information. You will learn, but you will also teach others.
Think about what you can “leave” with the community. Think about mutual benefits. Help to empower. Be empowered.
Remember there is always room for improvement. You won't have all the answers. Go back and make changes. Think of creative strategies and adapt them to the community of interest.
Products
Native Americans with Traumatic Brain Injury and the First National Native American Summit on TBI
Resources
