Three New Cultural and Linguistic Competency Resources on the URC

December 9, 2014

The term 'culturally competent', as defined by the Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights and Assistance Act of 2000 (DD Act), "means services, supports, or other assistance that is conducted or provided in a manner that is responsive to the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, language, and behaviors of individuals who are receiving the services, supports, or other assistance, and in a manner that has the greatest likelihood of ensuring their maximum participation in the program involved." The Cultural and Lingustic Competancy page on the URC highlights various projects, collaborations, and resources focused on Cultural & Linguistic Competency. Read more about the three new resources that have been recently posted below:

• (New 12/04/14) Why Cultural Competence?

The National Education Association is engaged in a range of issues that affect public schools, students, and professional school employees. Cultural Competence was highlighted to help educators close achievement gaps. American classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse. As NEA President Dennis Van Roekel has noted, "Educators with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to value the diversity among students will contribute to an educational system designed to serve all students well."

•  (New 12/04/14) Regional Health Equity Councils

The Regional Health Equity Councils (RHECs) are independent non-governmental organizations located in ten regions of the country. The RHECs' primary role is to initiate action to implement the goals of the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA)and therefore, advance the agenda to eliminate health disparities from the grassroots. The NPA is a public-private initiative that seeks to mobilize a nationwide, comprehensive, community-driven, and sustained approach to combating health disparities and to move the nation toward achieving health equity.

• (New 12/04/14) Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Website

LEP.gov promotes a positive and cooperative understanding of the importance of language access to federally conducted and federally assisted programs. This site acts as a clearinghouse, providing and linking to information, tools, and technical assistance regarding limited English proficiency and language services for federal agencies, recipients of federal funds, users of federal programs and federally assisted programs, and other stakeholders.