Running head: LEARNING SKILLS THROUGH CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Learning skills through Cultural Competency

Jamie R. Wilson
Georgia State University Alpharetta Campus

Author Note
Prepared for Dr. Karen Watkins, Cultural Diversity Class

LEARNING SKILLS THROUGH CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Learning skills through Cultural Competency

During this journey through cultural competence, the skills that are learned are
irreplaceable in becoming the best social worker that one can be. As the world becomes more
and more culturally diverse it is imperative to learn as much as possible in order to help others
find the right resources that are required for their life and family. Instilling these skills in
everyday life will help in becoming the best person one can be.
Cultural Competency Action Plan
Throughout this journey through cultural competency there are many skills and traits that
one must learn. There are definitely areas that still need work but for the most part I believe that
this experience has helped me to become a better social worker and a better human being. Being
cultural competent. According to Doman Lum there are ten standards [that] provide guidelines,
goals, and objectives of cultural competence; these standards are considered cultural
competencies (2011 p.28). Before this class, I had no idea what the cultural competency
standards were and now I have incorporated some of them in my everyday life as well as
throughout my journey to becoming a more competent social worker.
Standard 1- Ethics and Values.
In learning about ethics and values, I have learned that understanding my own cultural as well as
learning about other cultures is imperative in becoming a better human being, not to mention
becoming a better social worker. Being self- culturally aware helps in becoming aware of others
and the things they hold valuable in their own lives and their families. Being able to help others
is our ultimate objective so we must learn as much as possible about other cultures and values.
According to Doman Lum among the major ethical and value areas is a sensitivity to cultural
and ethnic diversity (2011 p.28). Learning about Latino Americans gave me a better
understanding about a culture that normally I would not have taken the time to really get to know
and understand. The things that they go through make it hard for them as a whole in a country
that seems to not care or want to know anything about them. Their struggles for equality are real
and we need to learn more about their culture and heritage in order to help them overcome many
barriers that they face in this country.
Standard 2- Self- Awareness.
My cultural competency pre-test self- assessment, score of 83, leads me to believe that
there are definitely areas in my own background that I need to address and acquire more
knowledge about in order to be able to understand where others are coming from so that I can
provide them with the best possible resources that are available. Doman Lum states that Social
workers should examine their own cultural backgrounds and identities, become culturally aware
of their own heritage as well as those of others, and move from cultural awareness through
cultural sensitivity to cultural competence (2011 p.28). I have been in search of more
information about my own heritage throughout this journey and I intend to keep searching so that
I can fully understand where I come from in order to help others to the best of my ability.

LEARNING SKILLS THROUGH CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Standard 3- Cross-Cultural Knowledge.

According to Doman Lum (2011), Social workers shall have and continue to develop
specialized knowledge and understanding about the history, traditions, values, family systems
and artistic expression of major client groups. Throughout the semester we have developed this
standard by working in groups to complete projects about other cultures. This standard will help
us to evolve into the most efficient social worker by understanding about other cultures.
Standard 4- Cross-Cultural Skills.
Throughout our journey we have conduct several cultural immersions concerning
different cultures and understanding the barriers that you may face when working with clients of
another race or ethnicity. Being able to understand and direct major clients to the proper
resources that are needed in order to help their situation.
Standard 5- Service Delivery
Being able to properly address a clients needs and direct them to the proper resources in
order to give them the best possible assistance. In order to master this skill one needs to learn of
available resources in their area and understand all the services that are provided through that
resource.
Standard 6- Empowerment and Advocacy
In working in our group project we worked on a micro/mezzo and a mezzo/macro level
action plan to better advocate for programs to better assist our clients of a specific culture. In
order to advocate we also need to be aware of the differences in cultures and all the needs of the
client due to their values and beliefs. Using the clients strengths as a way of empowerment helps
the client become stronger and feel they were useful in life and understanding.
Standard 7-Diverse Workforce. This skill is something that everyone faces more than
likely already in their normal lives. I work with people from different cultures at my current
position at my place of employment and I know that it makes all different types of people to
make the world go round. All of the women in my group were from different cultures and
different backgrounds and we all seem to work well together and even the different perspectives
made for a better completed presentation on the day we turned it in. During our group
presentation we represented this by interviewing Luis Ruiz for our cultural immersion and as
well we asked Luiz and Anna, to teach the class to Salsa dance. These are just a few of the ways I
have developed my skill of a diverse workforce.
Standard 8- Professional EducationContinuing educational and training classes to further a social workers education is the
best way to be up to date with new techniques and resources that are available. By continuing my
education through Georgia State BSW program I am furthering my professional education in
order to become a better social worker and eventually train to become an addiction counselor.

LEARNING SKILLS THROUGH CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Standard 9- Language Diversity

Being able to help your client find resources in cases of language barriers. Finding
translators, or language classes in order to help better understand your client. There are numerous
classes that are available to teach the native language of your client. Finding all available
resources and assistance to help with language barriers is the best way to develop language
diversity standard.
Standard 10- Cross-Cultural Leadership
In presenting newly acquired information to co-workers and other social workers
concerning any new information you have acquired concerning your clients is a way of
developing this skill. During our group presentations we offered valuable information to our
classmates concerning other cultures that we had acquired. Having good communication and
listening skills can aid in the development of the cross-cultural leadership standard.
Social Action Plan. In my life I have had many trials, and tribulations. I have seen things
that no normal person should ever have to see but I know that this is a normal everyday thing for
some people, especially those who suffer from addiction problems. My journey has led me to
this point in my life and I intend on devoting my career and life to helping save others from the
same path of destruction that I went down. Substance Abuse counselors are in high demand at
this point in time and I know from my own personal experiences that having someone to talk to
that has been through the same things I have been through made my journey through recovery a
lot easier to handle and deal with. People with addiction issues face many obstacles when trying
to recover. Sometimes one has been incarcerated and needs assistance in finding work or they
need assistance in finding the right program that best suits their needs. In learning to becoming
culturally competent it becomes a lot easier in finding these resources if you are aware of the
oppression that they are going to face. Finding work, finding shelter, finding clothes, or finding
the proper treatment facility or just being someone that they feel they can talk to and be open
with is imperative in this war on drugs. In the war on drugs and social justice for individual with
addiction issues, we need to understand that symptoms and signs of someone that needs and
wants help and not just right them off as a waste case. I intend on fighting for laws to help
individuals with addiction to where they can get their voting rights back or find a job without
having to disclose if they have ever been arrested to where a potential employer doesnt just
throw their application away. I learned through my own struggles how hard it is to find work and
not working leaves an addict with idle hands, which is detrimental to their recovery. Setting up
meetings in rural areas or more in urban areas that are easily accessible to all who wish to attend.
The more meetings that are available maybe we can get more people in them willing to talk and
fight for their lives. Telling ones story is the best way to help others in need and I intend to
scream my story from the rooftops if it helps save just one person from the life of hell that I was
in for almost ten years. I have come a long way from where I was at the beginning of this
semester and I intend on continuing to become a culturally competent social worker and
advocate for all persons of any race, ethnicity, or background in fighting their way back to a life
without drugs.

LEARNING SKILLS THROUGH CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Pretest and Post-test Reflection

In the beginning of the semester learning about all these standards seemed a bit
overwhelming but working through the course work and communication with my classmates has
made things a little bit easier to handle. Understanding our own cultural awareness has made me
more culturally competent. I learned things about understand who I am and my own self awareness helps me to become a better social worker. The dilemma of Americanization has
affected many families since immigrating to this country and generations to follow such as my
own and not knowing where my family comes from originally. When taking my pretest, I was
shocked at how low my scores were in accordance to where I thought I was in being a culturally
aware person. I am proud to say that my scores have greatly increased in the posttest. This
semester has taught me many things and I couldnt be prouder to be a more culturally competent
social worker.

References
Doman, L. (2011). Culturally Competent Practice. Belmont: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.