Guiding principle: “Children with emotional disturbances should receive services without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, socioeconomic status or other characteristics and services should be sensitive and responsive to cultural differences and special needs.”

Work Group Charge: To identify specific actions and next steps toward ensuring cultural competency in System of Care development. Specific questions below will inform recommendations.

1)             What is cultural competence? What do we mean? Possible examples:

ü      Functioning effectively in the context of cultural differences

ü      Aware of own culture, respects and values different cultures

ü      Aware of own values and biases and how they influence perceptions

ü      Flexibility when interacting with people from difference cultures

2)              How do we achieve cultural competence among mental health providers in a System of Care? What are concrete action steps to start?

3)              How do we achieve cultural competence among state agencies that oversee System of Care? What are concrete action steps to start?

4)              How do we achieve cultural competence among community partners (e.g. schools) through a System of Care? What are concrete action steps to start?