Cultural Competence Checklist for Agencies

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Below is a cultural competence self-assessment checklist. Please fill out as directed. Not only does this checklist give you some indication about your agency's practices, it also gives you some ideas about how to make your agency more culturally competent.

Directions: Please read each statement and write in each box with a number from 1-3 which most closely reflects your agency's practices:

1 = We frequently do this
2 = We occasionally do this
3 = We rarely or never do this

Inside the Agency

___ The agency regularly evaluates the ethnic mix of its 'service users' against the ethnic mix of the target population.

___ The agency's mission statement, policies and procedures, etc. are regularly reviewed to ensure that they incorporate principles and practices that promote cultural diversity and cultural competence.

___ The agency has a dedicated interpreter and translating budget line.

___ The agency has trained all staff in the use of Telephone Interpreter Service.

___ The agency sends staff to regular training to enhance their cultural competence.

___ The agency has established an account with the Telephone Interpreter Service.

___ The agency has planning processes which include action to enhance the cultural competence of the agency.

___ The agency has established performance targets to achieve service utilization rates which complement the cultural mix of its target population. In line with these performance targets the agency has a process for prioritising potential service users from a non-English speaking background.

___ The agency collects data in relation to service user's cultural, linguistic and religious background and needs, and where appropriate the backgrounds of family members.

___ The agency actively discourages staff, service users and others from using racial and ethnic slurs by helping them understand the impact their language can have on others.

___ The agency has employment practices which encourage the employment of people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

___ The agency includes 'demonstrated knowledge and experience in cross-cultural issues' as a criterion in job advertisements.

___ The agency has clearly outlined policies and procedures for the use of interpreters and translators.

___ The agency encourages people from non-English speaking background to participate in the agency's governing body.

___ The agency has in place processes which identify cultural, linguistic or religious needs at the point of intake or initial assessment.

Resources, Outreach and Promotions

___ The agency has a resource library that includes information and resources about cultural diversity and disability issues.

___ All over the office space there are posters, pictures and other materials that reflect the cultural diversity of the communities the agency serves.

___ The agency has available printed information in languages other than English.

___ When reprinting information the agency uses images that are culturally diverse and culturally appropriate.

___ In the reception area the agency displays a large interpreter sign that can be used by people to indicate their preferred language of choice.

___ The agency promotes its services to people from a non-English speaking background.

___ The agency liaises with ethnic community agencies in the target area.

___ The agency has in place mechanisms for consultations with service users from non- English speaking background and the ethnic communities in the target areas.

___ The agency has on display general information pamphlets in a variety of languages.

___ The agency uses culturally appropriate strategies when outreaching to ethnic communities.

___ The agency develops links with ethnic communities and uses workers in those communities as cultural consultants when needed.

If you frequently responded '1 ', your agency is engaged in practices that recognise and promote cultural diversity and aims to deliver a culturally competent service to people with disability.

If you frequently responded '2' or '3' your agency needs to change its practices to respond more effectively and efficiently to the needs of the culturally diverse community.

For all the questions where you responded with '2' or '3' consider how you can change your agency's practices to be more culturally competent.