Culturally Competent Social Work Practice
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Transcript of Culturally Competent Social Work Practice
Culture: relatively unified language, set of values, beliefs and norms (standards of action) held by an identified people at a point in time.
CULTURALLY COMPETENT Social Work Practice
Bi-cultural: Capacity to function within two identifiable cultural groups in a manner that
1) Meets one’s own needs 2) Recognizes, respects and helps meet the needs of others 3) Sees differences as adding richness to life.
Cultural Dimensions that Illustrate Differences
Bolivia Bolivia U.S. Dominant
Urban Rural
Basic social Family Community Individual unit:
Locus of External External Internal control:
Respect: Deference Deference Admiration
Authority: Hierarchical Communal Undefined
U.S. Anglo
AmericanUrban Bolivia:Spanish/Latino
BI-CULTURAL CONTINUUM
Rural BoliviaIndigenous/Quechua
BECOMING BI-CULTURAL
Speak the Language (Essential but not sufficient)
Recognize Power Differential
Observe - Listen
Interact
Analyze
PROJECT PARTNERS
National Ministries
Communities Municipalities
Mano a Mano
Communities Identify Problem; Make Request; Own Project Right to self determination
Conversations between staff and community clarify the project. Getting to Know the Other
Partnership agreements define the project. Inter-relatedness of Family, Community,
Society and Natural Environment.
All Partners Contribute Identify and Develop Strengths and Resources
Beneficiaries Invest In the Project: Become Empowered to Address their own
Needs
Training for Sustainable Agriculture:Integrates all Mano a Mano Programs
OUR RESULTS: 158 community medical centers: reduce
maternal and infant mortality by about 90%
8 water reservoirs for 40,000 people: water creates food security, doubles family income
870 miles of road: used by over 130,000 people to haul produce to markets
56 schools with housing for their teachers: make primary education available to 8,000 kids
Over 400 have traveled from U.S.: Fosters Cross-cultural, Cross-national Relationships
NO failed projects
LONG TERM MANO A MANO GOALS
Create/develop Bolivian capacity to build and sustain infrastructure that communities require:
to meet basic needs and thrive on their own land
Create deep and long lasting commitments to respectful relationships that add hope and meaning to lives of all involved.
CHALLENGES
Working across National/Racial/Cultural Lines/Physical Distance
Getting to know the other
The Balance of Leading and Following
Disparities among Partners – our U.S. Privilege; Urban and Rural Bolivia
Accountability: to Whom and for What?