Cultural and Linguistic Competence

Cultural competence plays a critical role in improving language access and in reducing disparities in health, health care, and social services.  Acquiring cultural competence is a long-term, developmental process that extends beyond cultural awareness (knowledge about a particular group primarily gained through reading or studies) and cultural sensitivity (knowledge and some level of experience with a group other than one's own).  Those who are culturally competent have a mixture of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge and skills that help them establish trust and communicate with others.

The Center for Health Futures at Florida Hospital, a member of the CFPHD, specializes in providing training and organizational assessments to enhance cultural competency. 

The following services are available:

• Organizational Assessments of Cultural Competency
• Cultural Competence Training
  
• Interpreter Training
  
  

Who should be trained?

• Health care professionals
• Social service providers:
  • case managers
  • social workers
  • counselors
• Organizational leaders

More:

• What is cultural competence?
• Why is linguistic competence important?
• National Center on Cultural Competence