MSW 5002 WEEK 1 Model Cultural Competency

Cultural Competence Self-assessment Awareness Checklist

This self-assessment tool is designed to explore individual cultural competence. Its purpose is to help you to consider your awareness in your interactions with others. Its goal is to assist you to recognize what you can do to become more effective in working and living in a diverse environment.

Read each entry in the section below and place a check mark in the appropriate column.

This is simply a tool and not a test. Remember that cultural competence is a process, and that learning occurs on a continuum and over a life time. You will not be asked to show anyone your answers unless you choose to do so. While you complete this assessment, stay in touch with your emotions and remind yourself that learning is a journey.

Awareness Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/ Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well

Value Diversity I view human difference as positive and a cause for celebration.

Know myself I have a clear sense of my own ethnic, cultural, and racial identity.

Share my culture I am aware that in order to learn more about others I need to understand and be prepared to share my own culture.

Be aware of areas of discomfort I am aware of my discomfort when I encounter differences in race, color, religion, sexual orientation, language, and ethnicity.

Check my assumptions I am aware of the assumptions that I hold about people of cultures different from my own.

Challenge my stereotypes I am aware of my stereotypes as they arise and have developed personal strategies for reducing the harm they cause.

Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/ Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well

Reflect on how my culture informs my judgment

I am aware of how my cultural perspective influences my judgment about what are "appropriate," "normal," or "superior" behaviors, values, and communication styles.

Accept ambiguity

I accept that in cross-cultural situations there can be uncertainty and that uncertainty can make me anxious. It can also mean that I do not respond quickly and take the time needed to get more information.

Be curious I take any opportunity to put myself I place where I can learn about differences and create relationships.

Aware of my privilege if I am White

If I am a White person working with a person of color, I understand that I will likely be perceived as a person with power and racial privilege, and that I any not be seen as "unbiased" or as an ally.

Reflection

At the end of each section add up the number of times you have checked that column Multiple the number of times you have checked the columns by:

Never - 1 Sometimes/Occasionally - 2 Fairly Often/Pretty Well - 3 Always/Very Well - 4

The more points you have, the more culturally competent you are becoming.

Source: http://static.diversityteam.org/files/414/cultural-competence-self-assessment-checklist.pdf?1342126927