Abstract This paper discusses why globalization and the growing ethnic populations in the US have made it increasingly necessary for today's social service workers to be culturally competent. The paper presents the National Association of Social Workers ten standards of cultural competence. The author then defines cultural competence and its role and importance to a social services worker. The paper includes anecdotes from social work professionals to highlight various points. The author concludes that being culturally competent enables the social worker to provide better serives to the client.
From the Paper "A stereotype, however, would be a situation where someone would say, "Mexican women often express their pain loudly." If there is a Mexican patient who is complaining loudly about her pain and I the nurse ignores her, thinking, "Don't worry; Mexican women express their pain loudly," then she is guilty of stereotyping. If, on the other hand, she knows in general that female Mexican patients often express themselves this way, she would check with the family to see if this particular woman is vocal when in pain and follow up by checking her complaint (Galanti, 23). "
Abstract This paper reviews the instruments and tools that can be used to measure delivery of culturally competent/sensitive nursing care. The paper discusses the purpose of cultural competency training to improve the health care of ethnic minorities. The paper also investigates the application of culturally competent nursing to all areas of patient care. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the usefulness, validity and reliability of the instruments and tools.
From the Paper "Thom reports that cultural competency training is being widely promoted as a means to improve the quality of health care for ethnic minorities. However relatively little..."
Abstract This legal memorandum examines whether a defendant who has several mental disorders, but is coherent and intelligent (and able to effectively communicate with his lawyer), is competent to stand trial.
Tags: CRIMINAL JUSTICE, LEGAL ISSUES, CENSORSHIP, POLICY, competency stand trial
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of non-competition agreements in business to protect trade secrets. The paper focuses on the legal aspect of non-compete agreements. It also mentions state and local laws regarding restrictions.
From the Paper "In legal jargon, a non-compete agreement is a covenant or contract not to compete. An individual signing it agrees not to compete with your employer by engaging in any business of a similar nature as an employee an independent contract ..."
Tags: non-compete, legal, agreements, business law, state law, local law, hiring
Abstract The paper states that the delivery of culturally competent services to Asian American and other ethnic minority groups is a major concern for mental health officials. The paper comments that as a result there are continual reports of ethnic disparities in the service use of mental health programs. The reports state that the causes are multifactorial, which include the patient, physician and system-level factors, such as trust, cultural competency and knowledge. This paper explores the state of affairs of nurses rendering competent cultural care and addresses post traumatic stress disorder and culturally competent care as related to Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the veteran administration clinical setting.
Outline:
Introduction
Scope of the Problem
Cultural Competence as related to Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the Veteran Administration clinical setting.
Definition of Cultural Competence Issues and Statistic Regarding Culturally Competent Care between Asian and Pacific Islanders
Vulnerabilities, Strengths of Asian Americans, and Pacific Islander in PTSD program
Standards of Cultural Competence relating Asian American and Pacific Islanders
Standards That Are and Are not Met
Outcome and Impacts of Class Standards that have Been Met
Outcome and impacts of Class standards that have not Been Met
Solutions for Deficits
Conclusion
From the Paper "As a result of this belief when the children grow up they are expected to care for their parents. As a consequence the Chinese American avoids actions that can lead to shame, because individual actions have implications for and reflect on the whole family. Therefore the disclosure of personal issues outside of the family is a challenging issue for some Chinese Americans, as this could be seen as a betrayal of the family and could bring about family shame. As Akutsu states, Asian Americans as a whole will admit to psychological problems, but would delay all efforts to mental health until their clinical conditions become dire and critical".
Abstract This research paper discusses the dynamic of cultural competency for the school social work student. It particularly explores the factors of awareness (e.g., attitudes), perceptions and practices that empower cultural competency for the school social work student. The paper also investigates whether cultural competency by the instructor offers insight into the dynamic of how race and ethnicity may impact the student and instructor working alliance.
Table of Contents:
Chapter One -- Introduction
Hypothesis and Research Statement
Defining Cultural Competence Cultural Competency Cultural Competence Practice and Training: Overview
Strategy and Practice
Moving Towards Cultural Competence Knowledge, Skills, and Ability
Attitudes
Skills
Knowledge
Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Chapter Two -- Review of the Literature
Theoretical Framework
Research Hypothesis
Research Questions
Terms and Definitions
Chapter Three - Research Design and Statistical Procedures
Research Participants
Instruments
Chapter Four - Findings
From the Paper "This is, naturally, a concern because it slows down the process that the client is involved in when it comes to discussing the problems that he or she is facing and working to solve them. Without the client being honest about his or her thoughts and feelings, the social worker can have trouble determining how to best help the client and what strategies might work in the future. Social workers must take care that they interact with the client but do not do so to the extent that their beliefs and opinions become something that the client senses too strongly and therefore chooses to react to. The goal is for the client to discuss his or her problems and issues in a way that is non-judgmental and does not make the client feel as though he or she has to agree with everything that the social worker says."
This paper discusses that academic competence includes a number of components that are critical for effective English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
Abstract This paper explains that it is imperative that ESL students are evaluated in the primary stages of instruction to develop an appropriate course of action for ESL instruction. The paper continues that it is important to develop activities tailored to the student population to encourage individual growth and academic competence. The author believes that students in the ESL classroom must recognize that stress is a part of daily living.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Achievement of Academic Competence Activities to Improve Academic Competence Reading and its Contribution to Academic Competence Principles for Helping ESL Students Develop Academic Competence Stress and Academic Competence Conclusion
From the Paper "The importance of reading as a means of learning any type of subject matter cannot be undermined as it is the foundation of academic competence in any subject. Furthermore, English as a Second Language instruction is especially dependent upon reading as a precursor for academic achievement and independent learning. Clarke (203) has identified the importance of psycholinguistic principles in reading and ESL instruction. Furthermore, it should be noted that in general, reading is basically the same process in any language and that it is transferable from one language to another (Clarke 203). Shih (289) also affirms that ESL classrooms must concentrate on the development of reading strategies that include the construction of background knowledge, guided reading of a text, and post-reading exercises, including discussion and writing activities, all designed to promote reading skill enhancement. In the primary stages of reading development in ESL classes, the focus lies on reading development, and study skills are not separated from their ties to specific academic assignments. However, it is critical for students to acquire basic study skills that will promote successful mastery of the English language and academic competence in the classroom."
Abstract Developing a cultural competency committee is one alternative in the search for compliance. Recent federal, state, and local laws mandate that multicultural considerations be taken into account in virtually every aspect of public life. This paper discusses how, in the case of behavioral health organizations and agencies, which deal with the most intimate problems of people from many cultures and tradition, not to mention with many different languages as their native tongues, t is paramount to understand all the facets of multiculturalism so that, if the agency decides that instituting a cultural competency committee is the proper course, it will also attend to the proper issues. It looks at one issue that has recently been raised: whether cultural competency and all its ramifications is, in fact, a new twist on racism. Nonetheless, it is clear that behavioral health organizations do deal with many cultures, and approaches must be found to do so in ways that are not discriminatory in intent or in fact.
Introduction and Statement of the Problem
Legacy of Error
Ethnic Composition of U.S. Society
Origins of Multi-Cultural Counseling/Cultural Competency Review of the Literature
Methodology
Cultural Competency Questionnaire
References
Appendix A
From the Paper "There is almost no area of human life that has not been touched in the past fifty years by the specter of discrimination. Although it would seem amazing to some, the fields of psychology, counseling and behavioral therapies have not gone untouched by racism. Indeed, covert and overt racist behavior and thinking was endemic to the American Psychological Association (APA), the academy and mental health organizations during that period. (Morris & Robinson, 2000, p. 239) It is not surprising then that now, in a more enlightened period, those same institutions would seek to rectify this attitude and behavior. One means of doing that is training and managing for ?cultural competency.? This cultural competency, while needed in general, is assumed also to influence the effectiveness of counseling when it must be done in a multicultural setting. (Morris & Robinson, 2000, p. 239)"
This paper discusses the application of Vivian Cook's second language user model to the acquisition of pragmatic competence in the teaching of second languages.
Abstract This paper explains that the theory of multi-competence, developed and advocated by Vivian Cook, states that a human mind is potentially capable of possessing the linguistic competence of more than one language; thus, multilingual speakers are the norm. The author points out that, in terms of language teaching, the model of multi-competence can be applied mainly for an acquisition of sufficient grammatical competence, which apart from general data provision can be achieved through the setting of parameters. The paper relates that, since the primary goal of language teaching is to create successful L2 speakers, the teaching of pragmatic competence in a language should include cultural and inter-cultural studies, cognitive training and general input in that language.
From the Paper "Yet it is important to point out that the way these two grammars co-exist in the same mind also implies its mutual interference and interdependence: at a certain level of acquisition, the two grammars must form a single language system rather than two separated systems. Thus, multi-competent state of mind represents, in fact, not a mere combination of two monolingual systems but rather a single language system, which can be described as an indivisible linguistic unity. This statement can serve as an explanation for the fact that the vast majority of the second language (L2) learners even on the advanced level are not able to produce language in the same way the native speakers do, since the multilingual language users have several interrelated languages in mind: In short the state of mind of a multilingual language user is just different from that of a monolingual."
Abstract This paper explains that cultural competence refers to one's ability to understand, interact and respond to individuals with different world views or cultures. The author points out that it differs from cultural awareness or sensitivity in that it is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies, which come together in a system, agency or among professionals and enables them to work effectively in cross-cultural situations The paper stresses that cultural competency includes being sensitive to individuals of different races, ethnicities, ages, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic status, among others. The author underscores that cultural competency is reflected in the professional's attitude and communication style. The paper suggests several steps to develop personal cultural competency.
From the Paper "Right now, there are many things I can do to promote my own cultural awareness and sensitivity. Of course, I can (and have) take course work in sociology, culture, and communication. However, traditional coursework can only provide factual and historical knowledge, which is why it is important to take courses with an experiential focus where one must interact with others and then reflect upon and self-assess their experiences. Another thing I can do is participate in social activities with a diverse array of individuals."
Tags: diversity set sensitive style, training programs.
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of the development and application of cultural competency in the health care industry. It specifically discusses the nurses role in cultural competency as the nurse tends to work most directly with patients and their families. The paper also discusses the standards of cultural competency and the steps required to ensure the success of cultural competency in the health care industry.
From the Paper "Nursing care is a very personal type of care and any given nurse interacting with any given culturally divergent patient might have difficulty navigating the impact of suggestions for nursing interventions and or medical care provision. Without the demand for services associated with linguistics the nurse may never find out that the individual is reluctant to follow orders as they are incompatible with cultural beliefs. Therefore an impasse is created, where the nurse feels the individual is simply non-compliant and the patient thinks the nurse is strange and demanding. (Heuberger, Gerber & Anderson, 1999, p. 107) A simple cultural and or linguistic intervention might solve the problem in a matter of moments. If there is no such communication intervention available the nurse and patient are left feeling as if they have no ability to do their work effectively, the patient to heal the nurse to facilitate healing. Though family is exceedingly important in this issue the facility must also be able to stand on its own through providing services and offerings that help the patient and the nursing staff communicates effectively to elicit safety and greater health. Nurse can serve as a key to demonstrative change as advocates for existing patients and as role models for application and development of cultural competencies."
This paper discusses the importance of generic competence in understanding Agatha Christie's mystery "Witness for the Prosecution" and Angela Carter's fairy tale "The Tiger's Bride".
Abstract This paper explains that generic competence refers to the ability of the reader to understand the implied language, the setting and the period of time of a specific genre that has its own system of codes, called generic repertoire with which the reader has to be familiar to fully understand the meaning of the story. The author points out that every mystery story, such as Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution", contains an enigma that must be solved by the protagonist; the reader must have the generic competence to understand all the information that is given by the narrator. The paper relates that the reader's generic competence of the fairy tales includes the knowledge of its origin, characters, moral role and related primary fairy tales; Angela Carter's "The Tiger's Bride" contains a moral role; therefore, the implied reader must look for a message inside the story.
From the Paper ""The Tiger's Bride" has a strong connection to other fairy tales such as "Cupid and Psyche", "Beauty and The Beast" and "The Courtship of Mr. Lyon". The importance of generic competence here is the primary readings of the related fairy tales, in order to be able to see the similarity and difference between them all. In all four stories the most important similarity is that they all involved the sacrificing of a daughter by her father. In "The Tiger's Bride" the father had lost his daughter in a card game and she therefore must go with the beast. There is also the mention of a lamb- " ...where the lion lies down with the lamb" (51), "The tiger will never lie down with the lamb" (64). The implied reader's generic competence relates the lamb with the sacrificing of Isaac in the Bible. Isaac's father, Abraham, was about to sacrifice him to god but in the end he didn't and instead a lamb was sacrificed."
Abstract This paper identifies four critical capabilities computer firms must perform at a minimal level of efficiency and efficacy. The paper examines why these capabilities are important and what impact the lack of ability to perform each function would have on an individual computer firm's solvency and ability to compete in the industry. The paper explores four firms and analyzes each firm's capability to implement and utilize the capabilities identified, listed in tabular format.
Outline:
Introduction
Analysis of Core Competencies Computer Firm Competencies Synopsis
From the Paper "A core competency or capability may be defined as one that is critical to a firm's function or ability to service its internal and external customers. The table below outlines four critical competencies or capabilities computer firms must have to service the public efficiently. For purposes of this paper a computer firm is defined as one that provides technological, IT or computer related services and products to the public."
Tags: technology, strategies, competition, industry
Abstract This paper presents a case study of a patient named Wilson, looking at whether he is competent to stand trial. The paper presents the details of the case and analyzes Wilson's physical and mental state. The paper then focuses on whether Wilson would be considered competent to stand trial in his current condition. It discusses his cognitive and behavioral functions and how these will also be impacted by Wilson's mild retardation throughout his life.
Table of Contents:
Case History
Competency To Stand Trial
From the Paper "Given the information that has been provided to date regarding Wilson and his interactions with other medical personnel, it would appear that he is capable of standing trial at this time. This is indicated by his knowledge of his previous behavior and his admitting to the fact that he had previously failed to take his medications, using this as an explanation for his violent behavior. Wilson was capable of discussing these elements of his life with logic and reasoning, which would lead an evaluator to conclude that Wilson was no longer hindered by his mental illness.
However, it must be noted that Wilson will always have the ability to stop taking his medications and of progressing in his paranoid schizophrenia because there is no cure for the illness ("Paranoid", n.d., sec. 1). The use of medications "such as Thorazine, Haldol, and Risperdal" may alleviate Wilson's symptoms and allow him to continue to function normally. Yet, as time progresses there can also be changes in Wilson's cognitive and behavioral functions, which will also be impacted by Wilson's mild retardation throughout his life."
Abstract The paper presents the definitions of culture and culturally competent care and examines the patient population demographics of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The paper centers on the Hispanic population and their vulnerability and discusses the fourteen standards of cultural competence as identified by the Office of Minority Health (OMH). The paper also evaluates the VHA's performance to meet these standards and looks at the implication for nursing and at potential solutions for areas were standards are not met. The paper concludes that as the healthcare industry moves to a more culturally competent delivery method, healthcare quality and effectiveness will improve.
Outline:
Culture
Population Demographics
Cultural Vulnerability
Standard One
Standard Two
Standard Three
Standard Four
Standard Five
Standard Six
Standard Seven
Standard Eight
Standard Nine
Standard Ten
Standard Eleven
Standard Twelve
Standard Thirteen
Standard Fourteen
Conclusion
From the Paper "Culture is defined as the incorporated pattern of human behavior that encompasses languages, values, thought, beliefs communication, customs, rituals, practices, relationships, courtesies, role, mannerisms and expected behaviors of an ethnic, social, racial or religious group (Hepburn, 2005). Cultural competence is a set of attitudes, policies, structures, practices and behaviors that collaborate in or between professionals, agencies, or systems that produce an increase in effectiveness to work with cross-cultural situations (Hepburn, 2005). The cultural competence standards used for this paper will be the OMH's National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS). The CLAS's primary focus is organizational healthcare application and is designed to encourage the evaluation and development of culturally and linguistically congruent care (Office of Minority Health [OMH], 2007)."
