A culturally competent approach to services requires that we all examine and potentially transform each component of mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability services.
The fundamental precepts of cultural competence include developing respect for differences; cultivating successful approaches to diversity; increasing awareness of one’s self and of unstated institutional cultural norms and practices; and having a working knowledge of the history, culture, beliefs, values and needs of diverse enrollees and communities.
Providers are required to develop a Cultural Competency Plan. The Provider’s Cultural Competency Plan should be consistent with Partners’ 2021-22 Cultural Competency Plan, which is reviewed for ongoing development and approved by the Partners Provider Council.
The Provider shall develop procedures for the implementation of systems to:
- evaluate and/or measure adherence to their Cultural Competence Plan,
- ensure that all staff are trained, and
- have training available for review by Partners’ Quality Management Department.
Providers may refer to Partners’ sample Cultural Competency Plan template to aid in the development of the required Cultural Competency Plan.
To learn more about cultural competency requirements, please refer to the Provider Operations Manual or contact your Account Specialist.
For resources helpful for Cultural Competency training please see the listing on the Training Resources Page of the Partners Training Resource and Collaborative: https://www.partnerstraining.org/additional-training-resources/