Diversity
Vision for a Culturally Competent Organization
The population of our communities has become increasingly multicultural. Valuable assets and resources are found in the multiplicity of cultures, races, religions, languages, and ethnic backgrounds. HowardCenter strives to deliver effective culturally and linguistically appropriate services within this context. The health and future of HowardCenter can only be assured as we achieve greater cultural competency. We are committed to achieving the following vision:
HowardCenter is seen as a resource by all members of our community, regardless of race, gender, religion, socio-economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, and country of origin. The organization has strong community collaborations, accessible service locations, and written materials that welcome all members of the community.
HowardCenter respects the cultural diversity of those we serve and adapts practice to respect traditions and to build on the strengths of individuals, families, and communities. HowardCenter incorporates language, knowledge, skills, and attitudes within systems of care that are informed by the specific reality and condition of a client/consumer’s real-life cultural circumstances and experiences. We acknowledge and incorporate cultural variables in determining an individual’s wellness and illness, as well as in assessment and treatment.
HowardCenter builds and retains a workforce that closely reflects the diversity of the community we serve. The organization is overseen by a Board of Trustees and various standing committees which reflect that diversity.
Overall Goals
Our commitment is to achieve the following results:
- The mission, values, and operating principles of the organization clearly establish cultural competence as an organizational cornerstone.
- The Board of Trustees, the standing committees, and staff reflect the cultural diversity of our communities.
- The organization has in place a structure to support a culturally competent organization, including an oversight committee of the Board and management and staff accountability.
- The organization pays attention to the demographics of our communities and adapts practice, governance, policy, and outreach activities accordingly.
- The organization is well connected to groups representing various cultures within our communities and is well connected to other organizations and community efforts that are working to achieve a healthy, diverse community that is culturally competent.
- Signs, brochures, handbooks, and key clinical documents are provided in the languages spoken in our communities.
- Staff are knowledgeable of the complexity of issues regarding cultural competence. Staff receive clear information as part of initial orientation and receive ongoing training around best practices.
- Meaningful and timely resources are available to staff to assist them in working effectively with individuals and families of all cultures.
Objectives
- Review and revise the mission statement and related documents to make clear our commitment to cultural competence.
- Seek to create a more diverse Board of Trustees by adding at least two more individuals representing culturally or ethnically diverse populations.
- Create more diverse standing committees for each program area.
- Formally establish a Multicultural Committee of the Board of Trustees and clarify staff support.
- Assess county demographics and assure signage, client manuals, brochures, and key clinical documents are translated into the most locally prevalent languages.
- Establish a comprehensive staff training program:
- Develop a brief portion of the initial orientation package that highlights this area.
- Design a Diversity Awareness Training and deliver to all staff.
- Develop a long-term plan to assure sustainability, clarifying what will be trained and at what intervals into the future.
- Develop specific culturally competent best practice trainings for various groups of staff. Create focus groups to seek input from various groups in the agency.
- Create a process for providing cultural consultation to staff.
- Create connections with key groups in the community who are working on these same issues.
- Create strong connections with diverse ethnic and cultural communities within Chittenden County in order to improve our understanding of the needs of these communities.
For more information, please contact Tuipate Mubiay, Diversity Coordinator, at 802.488.6962 or tuipatemREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@howardcenter.org.