The Cultural Competency, Diversity, and Inclusion (CCDI) Toolkit contains information and resources that promote diversity, inclusion, and the practice of cultural competency. Originally developed in 2014 by CAN’s CCDI Work Group and The University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, the Toolkit was updated in 2017 to incorporate up-to-date research and resources.
The Toolkit is designed for individuals and organizations that provide services within the community. Individual service providers looking to increase their knowledge and understanding and enrich their practice, as well as organizations looking to become more diverse, inclusive, and culturally competent (CC) may benefit from the this Toolkit. However, anyone looking to learn more about cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion may find this resource helpful.
The Toolkit is divided into six sections that provide information on the practice of cultural competency which, when practiced effectively, directly promotes diversity and inclusion. The “Framework” tab contains frameworks for the practice of cultural competency specific to individuals and organizations. “Resources for Organizations” provides organizations with resources for operating in a culturally competent manner, and “Resources for Individuals” provides individuals with resources for providing services and/or engaging with others in a culturally competent manner. In the “Resources for Working with Specific Populations” section you will find resources and services for working with thirteen different populations including, but not limited to, LGBTQIA+ communities, veterans and their families, and immigrants, asylees, and refugees. “Benefits of CCDI” highlights benefits of practicing cultural competency, and the “Archive” tab contains information on cultural competency trainings from the 2014 edition of the CCDI Toolkit.
The information in this Toolkit is based on articles found in peer-reviewed journals and best practices shared by individuals and organizations who are experts on cultural competency. Citations for the research that guide each tab can be found at the bottom of or throughout the webpage and a majority of the sources referenced were published in the last five years. The following sources were particularly influential in the formation of this Toolkit: The National Association of Social Workers’ Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence, the National Center for Cultural Competence website, the Health Resources & Services Administration website, University of Kansas’ Community Toolbox, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s protocol for improving cultural competence.
Cultural competency, “refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, spiritual traditions, immigration status, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each.” Operationally, cultural competency is, “the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services, thereby producing better outcomes”.
Diversity, “encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.”
Inclusion, “involves bringing together and harnessing diverse forces and resources, in a way that is beneficial. Inclusion puts the concept and practice of diversity into action by creating an environment of involvement, respect, and connection – where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives are harnessed.”
Cultural competency, diversity and inclusion are directly connected. The CCDI Toolkit’s focus on cultural competency stems from the belief that an effective cultural competency practice innately leads to greater diversity and inclusion.
https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=51nqVQj68W0%3d&portalid=0
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html