OMH Announces Regional Cultural Competence Trainings
http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/resources/newsltr/2009/aug.html
The New York State Office of Mental Health's Bureau of Cultural Competence leads agency efforts to eliminate disparities in the provision of mental health services to our diverse consumers. Through the provision of cultural competence training, the Bureau supports equitable mental health services that are culturally aware and sensitive to racial and ethnic minorities and other marginalized populations.
The Bureau of Cultural Competence uses a regional approach to deliver cultural competence training to staff at New York State Psychiatric Centers and OMH licensed community mental health agencies. Regional trainings are open to all OMH licensed facilities and agencies. This approach allows larger numbers of individuals to be trained, enhances our ability to connect with local community providers, and minimizes training costs.
“We here at the Bureau of Cultural Competence are very excited about this regionalization approach and our ability to do more with less,” said Frances Priester, Director, Bureau of Cultural Competence. “The Bureau is comprised of three staff; and we all come to the table with knowledge, skills, and a passion for equitable service to racial and ethnic minorities and other marginalized populations. When service is delivered void of cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity we miss an opportunity to improve service outcomes.”
Two Regional Cultural Competence Trainings Are Currently Open For Registration:
1. Place: Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center in West Seneca
Dates: September 22 (CLOSED) and 23, 2009 8AM-12 noon session- limited seating left ( 3 or so seats) afternoon session 12:15-4:15Pm- 30 seats left but sessions filling up fast
Registration close date: August 28, 2009
2. Place: Elmira Psychiatric Center
Date: October 6, 2009
Registration close date: September 11, 2009
To register for either training or to arrange for a regional training at your facility, please contact Hector Pabon at (518) 408-2059. Trainings are four hours long and have a maximum group size of 50. More than 200 participants have already registered for these trainings.
What is Cultural Competence?
Cultural competence is the set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and skills, policies, and procedures that come together in a system, agency or individuals to enable mental health caregivers to work effectively in cross- and multicultural situations.
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