Youth and their families are the most important participants in the Family CARE Community. Family CARE thrives as a collaboration between the family and all other entities that might have been identified by the family as supports (e.g. School, church, therapist, local community agencies, etc). The Family CARE Community recognizes that cultural sensitivity is very important when serving families and communities invested in the emotional well-being of our county's youth experiencing severe emotional and/or behavioral challenges. The Family CARE Community also recognizes that cultural and linguistic competence is a process that benefits all families and that it can take years to develop and implement as an organization.
McHenry County demographics have changed significantly over the last 10 years. The population growth has been such that local agencies are currently struggling to meet the needs of an ever more diverse population in a way that is culturally and linguistically relevant. Because we know Cultural and Linguistic Competence is an essential part of providing treatment to our families, the Family CARE Community has identified the position of Cultural and Linguistic Competency Coordinator to assists in making sure the families we serve are treated in a way that is culturally and linguistically appropriate/sensitive. One of his many functions include helping to equip the Mental Health Board & network funded agencies with the knowledge and skills to meet this challenge.
We have embarked in this journey by developing Cultural and Linguistic Competency trainings tailored to meet the needs of agencies working directly with diverse families in our community. Resources are available to provide technical assistance to funded agencies that feel ready to complete a cultural and linguistic competency action plan. An initial goal is to infuse cultural and linguistic competency principles throughout the Family CARE Funded Agencies Network and the services provided to the community. For a definition of Cultural & Linguistic Competency please click here.
It is important to acknowledge that McHenry County is in the early stages of implementing a Cultural and Linguistic Competency Action Plan. As part of this process, in early 2008, some Family CARE Community agencies will be conducting a Cultural Competency Organizational Self-Assessment that can be used to better guide their Cultural and Linguistic Competence Plans. If you have any questions regarding Family CARE and Cultural & Linguistic Competency please feel free to contact Juan M. Escutia MS, LMFT at 815-788-4367 or e-mail jescutia@mc708.org.