Improving Cultural Competence: A Treatment Improvement Protocol

With a mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness, SAMSHA produces Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) to provide evidence-based and best practice guidance to clinicians, program administrators, and payers.

A panel of non-federal clinical researchers, clinicians, program administrators, and patient advocates debates their particular area of expertise until they reach a consensus on best practices. This particular TIP explores the importance of cultural competency in treating substance abuse and mental illness. The first chapter defines cultural competence and the rationale for pursuing it. The second chapter covers behaviors and skills for cultivating cultural competence as well as attitudes conducive to working effectively with diverse client populations. The third chapter discusses interviewing skills, assessment practices, and treatment planning. The fourth chapter discusses "top-down" organizational strategies for achieving cultural competency. The fifth chapter reviews cultural knowledge specific to individual racial and ethnic groups; and the final chapter explores the concept of "drug culture." (Abstract courtesy of Dr. Nicholas V. Montalto)

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Get more information from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).