In order to become a practitioner who addresses the diverse needs of your client

In order to become a practitioner who addresses the diverse needs of your clients in a sensitive and respectful manner, you must be dedicated to continued education around the needs and experiences of different groups, religions, ethnicities, and other populations. The first step is to identify any personal biases and perceptions you might have about other cultures. From a broader perspective, how might an individual’s culture, race, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation affect how society perceives and treats them? Which potential social structures may perpetuate the oppression and marginalization of certain groups? The most important attribute you can bring to this topic is an open mind and a willingness to learn about others unlike yourself and ask how they want to be treated by you as a social worker. In this Discussion, you consider these topics in relation to a case study depicting issues in cultural competence.
Resources
Please use sources that are provided.
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018). Empowerment series: Understanding generalist practice (8th ed.). CENGAGE Learning.
Chapter 12, “Culturally Competent Social Work Practice” (pp. 466–498)
Chapter 13, “Gender-Sensitive Social Work Practice” (pp. 499–543)
Azzopardi, C., McNeill, T. (2016). From cultural competence to cultural consciousness: Transitioning to a critical approach to working across differences in social work.Links to an external site. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 25(4), 282–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2016.1206494
Fisher-Borne, M., Cain, J. M., Martin, S. L. (2015). From mastery to accountability: Cultural humility as an alternative to cultural competenceLinks to an external site. Social Work Education, 34(2), 165–181. doi:10.1080/02615479.2014.977244
Hook, J. N., Farrell, J. E., Davis, D. E., DeBlaere, C., Van Tongeren, D. R., & Utsey, S. O. (2016). Cultural humility and racial microaggressions in counselingLinks to an external site.. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(3), 269–277. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000114
Visintin, E. P., Rullo, M., & Lo Destro, C. (2024). Imagine Being Humble: Integrating Imagined Intergroup Contact and Cultural Humility to Foster Inclusive Intergroup Relations. Behavioral Sciences (2076-328X), 14(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14010051
Chang, W.-W. (2007). Cultural competence of international humanitarian workers. ADULT EDUCATION QUARTERLY, 57(3), 187–204. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741713606296755
To Prepare
Review this week’s Learning Resources, including the videos, and then reflect on the following:
What is your definition of cultural competency?
What skills do you think are necessary for attaining cultural competence as a social worker working with that population?
What is the difference between having knowledge about a cultural group and engaging with an individual from the stance of cultural humility?
Then, search the Walden Library for additional information that supports the skills you selected.
For help with this discussion, please refer back to the Library recommendations in Week 3.
Helpful hint: Try using different keywords including:
cultural intelligence
cultural sensitivity
cultural humility
cultural competence
cultural literacy
Add the keyword “skills” to find articles on specific skills that promote cultural awareness in social work practice.
By Day 3
Post a response to the following:
Provide your definition of cultural humility.
Explain how this is similar or different to how the Kirst-Ashman and Hull textbook describes cultural competence.
Explain the skills you think are necessary for developing cultural awareness as a social worker.
Support your post with examples from the course text and any other resources used to respond to this Discussion. Demonstrate that you have completed the required readings, understand the material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full reference of resources at the bottom of the post.