Linguistic and cultural competency toolkit: An innovative resource for California family planning providers

Linguistic and cultural competence in the health professions leads to improved communication between providers and clients who may be from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. California is home to many diverse populations. As such, it is necessary that providers have resources they can use to improve their practices to better serve the dynamic and continually changing cultural groups in California.

A Linguistic and Cultural Competency Toolkit was developed based on the competencies covered in the CLAS (culturally and linguistically appropriate services) standards put forth by the U.S. Department of Minority Health. This resource was created specifically for family planning providers who participate in the Family PACT (Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment) Program funded through the California Department of Public Health. These providers have a unique interest in effective communication with their clients. Clients' continuous and successful use of contraceptives is dependent upon their providers' ability to understand their life circumstances. Through use of the communication techniques and resources in the Toolkit, family planning providers will be better equipped to serve their clients. The Toolkit is designed in such a way that providers can administer a self-assessment survey to their staff or complete it individually to assess their personal and organizational cultural and linguistic competency.

The presentation will explain the four areas of cultural competency that the survey assesses and how providers can use the survey and resources to develop a personalized strategic plan. Uses and the potential impact of the Toolkit on reproductive healthcare in California will be discussed.