LEVELS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE Cultural Competence Cultural Incapacity

LEVELS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE Cultural Competence Cultural Incapacity Cultural Destructiveness Cultural Blindness Cultural Pre-competence Cultural Proficiency n Cultural Destructiveness – This is the negative end of the cultural continuum. It refers to blatant attempts to destroy the culture of a given group. There is also an assumption that one group is superior to another. n Cultural Incapacity – An individual or organization lacks the capacity to be responsive to different groups, but this is not intentional. Ignorance and unfounded fear is often the underpinnings of this problem.

LEVELS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE n Cultural Blindness – This is an ignorance of cultural differences and these individuals are often perceived as “unbiased”. This is due to the fact that they fill that “culture makes no difference” in relation to the way groups act or react. n Cultural Pre-Competence – This implies movement towards cultural sensitivity. In this phase individuals actively pursue knowledge about differences and attempt to integrate this information into the delivery of services. There is a recognition that cultural differences exist and are acknowledged as “differences” and nothing more.

LEVELS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE n Cultural Proficiency – This is the positive end of the cultural continuum. Individuals in this category hold culture in very high esteem and they are regarded as specialists in developing culturally sensitive practices.

KEY CONCEPTS ON ETHNIC/GENDER PRIDE n African-American women have a legacy and history of strength, support and valuing the family. n African-American women have always had strong, supportive relationships with each other, which weather the test of time. n All African-American women can be positive role models. n Personal values affect decision-making.

KEY CONCEPTS ON HIV/AIDS EDUCATION AIDS is caused by HIV. African-American women can get HIV is passed through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, sharing needles or having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. There is no cure for AIDS. But you can prevent getting infected with HIV. You can reduce your risk for getting HIV by: n n n – – – Not having sex Using latex condoms every time you have sex, and using them correctly Not sharing needles and syringes

THE SISTAS ASSERTIVENESS MODEL S I S T A S I need to think about my SELF first. I need to think about what is important to me. (Ethnic/Gender Pride) I need to use the INFORMATION that I have about sex, drugs and HIV/AIDS to think about what is safe for me to do. (HIV/AIDS Education) I need to think about the situation that I am in and see what trouble it places me in. (HIV/AIDS Education) I need to state the TROUBLE to my partner, as well as the options and consequences. (Sexual Communication) I need to tell my partner in an ASSERTIVE manner what I would like to do. (Sexual Negotiation) I need to SUGGEST an alternative that I, and my partner will be comfortable with. Saying no can be difficult. When you say no, you are not rejecting your partner, only the activity. (Sexual Negotiation)

KEY CONCEPTS ON ASSERTIVENESS SKILLS TRAINING n n n Assertive behavior is not bitchy, aggressive or unfeminine. Women assert their needs with positive results. Women have control in sexual situations. Every woman has the right to say NO or YES! Being assertive is assessing the situation, then making a decision which is positive for you. Being assertive is taking care of yourself.

What is Coping? n Coping. . . Is what you do to handle a situation. Is important because it improves your ability to handle difficult situations. Can be effective, or it cannot work so well.

KEY CONCEPTS ON BEHAVIORAL SELFMANAGEMENT 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Condoms can be fun & sexy! No to sex does not mean No to love Sex is a major responsibility. The consequences affect you, your family and possibly your health. Women who are prepared to practice safer sex are not sluts, whores or tossups. Sex doesn’t just happen! We plan sex in many ways: soft music, nice panties, and fine food. Condoms, contraceptives and conversation about sex need to be another part of the plan.

INTERVENTION OBJECTIVES n n The SISTA program is a social skills training intervention for African American women aimed at reducing HIV sexual risk behavior. The overall goal of the SISTA Project is to enhance consistent condom use among participants. Three objectives support this goal: 1. To increase HIV risk-reduction knowledge; 2. To strengthen sexual self-control, assertiveness and communication; and 3. To increase partner adoption of norms supportive of consistent condom use.