ERIC Number: ED493313
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Nov
Pages: 2
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Culturally Competent Children's Mental Health Services: Advances & Challenges. Data Trends #126
Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health
"Data Trends" reports present summaries of research on mental health services for children and adolescents and their families. The article summarized in this "Data Trends" discusses the role of culture in children's development and mental health, disparities, and cultural competence in children's mental health services. Access to linguistically and culturally appropriate services is essential if the current inequities experienced by many families are to be addressed. This topic is increasingly important in light of the population projections of continued growth in the cultural diversity of the United States. In their discussion of applying cultural competence to systems of care, the authors state that "culturally competent practice can only occur within a system of care that has internalized and integrated cultural competence principles into every aspect of its organization and functioning". Existing published standards provide a framework for the application of knowledge and skills relevant to making progress towards a more culturally competent system of care. However, the authors also note that current system changes pose challenges for the improvement of services to children and families. Centralization of services relocates them away from the communities they serve. In addition, selection criteria for provider panels can systematically exclude practitioners who share the cultural background of the groups being served. Systems of care exist within a wider social context, and thus ongoing efforts are needed to reduce the prejudice and discrimination that have an impact on both mental health and mental health services. [This "Data Trends" presents a summary of: Pumariega, A., Rogers, K., & Rothe, E. (2005). Culturally competent systems of care for children's mental health: Advances and challenges. "Community Mental Health Journal," 41, 5, 539-555.]
Descriptors: Cultural Pluralism, Social Environment, Health Services, Cultural Background, Mental Health, Mental Health Programs, Centralization, Personnel Selection, Socioeconomic Status, Sociolinguistics, Language Attitudes, Child Development, Access to Health Care, Social Bias, Change Strategies, Cross Cultural Training, Children, Adolescents, Family Involvement
Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health. 1600 SW Fourth Ave., Suite 900, Portland, OR 97201. Tel: 503-725-4175; Fax: 503-725-4180; e-mail: rtcpubs@pdx.edu; Web site: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu.
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (DHHS/PHS), Rockville, MD. Center for Mental Health Services.
Authoring Institution: Portland State Univ., OR. Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health.; University of South Florida, Tampa. Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A