Providing Culturally Congruent Care

In Summary

To address the range of diversity in communities, you need the skills to¹⁸—

• Identify service delivery systems or models that are appropriate to specific populations and make appropriate referrals.
• Establish responses that are attuned to victims' cultural or bicultural experiences.
• Generate a wide variety of verbal and nonverbal communication skills in response to the direct and indirect communication styles of diverse clients.
• Master interviewing techniques that reflect an understanding of the role of language in victims' cultures.
• Effectively use victims' natural support systems (e.g., folk healers, religious and spiritual leaders, families).
• Evaluate the response to victims from diverse populations.