Assessing cultural competence and participatory approaches in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of Consumer Genetics Education Network (CGEN) projects

The Consumer Genetics Education Network (CGEN) Project is guided by a participatory approach that calls for active and meaningful participation of community-based organizations and representatives of target consumer groups in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation phases of genetics education projects at four sites. The CGEN is also committed to cultural and linguistic competence in all phases of the project, addressing the unique needs of the African American, Asian American, Latino/Hispanic and Native American communities. To assess each project's success in achieving the goals of cultural competence and community participation, dimensions of these concepts and criteria for assessing them were developed through round-table discussions with site evaluators, surveys of program planners and community participants, and review of the literature. This presentation will provide: a) definitions of cultural competence and criteria for assessing cultural competence in health promotion programs; b) the role of participatory approaches in advancing cultural competence in program development and implementation; and c) the successes and challenges faced by CGEN project sites in developing and implementing culturally competent and participatory-based programs. The presentation also addresses aspects of the social, environmental and political context that impact health behaviors in underserved, diverse communities.