A Culturally Competent Preparedness Model for Reaching Limited English Proficient Communities

Presenter

Sharyne Shiu-Thornton, PhD, MA, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Her research interests are cultural competency and community-based participatory research, and she has a longstanding interest in medical anthropology and ethnic minority health. She earned her masters and doctoral degrees in anthropology at the University of Washington, following her undergraduate work in China regional studies.

Dr. Shiu-Thornton has more than 20 years of experience as a diversity/cultural competency trainer with a specialized focus on providing services and developing, managing, and evaluating programs for Asian immigrant/refugee populations. Between 1983 and 1994 she worked at the International District Community Health Center in Seattle, where she served in multiple roles as a medical anthropologist, grants manager, and mental health counselor for Asian Pacific American populations. She has also worked collaboratively with urban Native American populations and is currently a member of the board of directors for the Seattle Indian Health Board.

Registration Information

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Description

This online, interactive session will provide an overview of how to reach Limited English Proficiency (LEP) populations as part of public health preparedness. The presenter will review the conceptual framework of cultural competency, and the need to understand diversity and differences as well as adapt to them. This will be followed by a discussion of how to adequately consider LEP populations in your emergency preparedness plan, and steps for engaging these populations in a way that is mutually beneficial for both parties. These issues will be illustrated by using a case study of a preparedness training project for medical interpreters.

This session will build upon the cultural competency framework that was introduced during the February 2006 session with Ira SenGupta. Although it is not necessary to have participated in the earlier session, participants may wish to review the archived recording or slides.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Define culture, diversity, and cultural competency.
• Explain the conceptual framework of cultural competency.
• Describe a model for reaching LEP communities regarding public health preparedness.
• Identify key steps in culturally competent preparedness planning.
• Summarize the principles of community based participation in public health preparedness planning.

Appropriate Audience

This session would be appropriate for the following audiences:

• Public health workers involved in emergency response
• Emergency Management and Planners
• Community health clinics

Slides and Related Resources

• Sharyne's Slides

Session Archive

Play the recorded presentation. [ 7 MB ]

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