What is cultural competence?Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. 'Culture' refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups. 'Competence' implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities. (Adapted from Cross, 1989).(1)
Cultural competence requires that organizations:
have a defined set of values and principles, and demonstrate behaviors, attitudes, policies, and structures that enable them to work effectively cross-culturally.
have the capacity to (1) value diversity, (2) conduct self-assessment, (3) manage the dynamics of difference, (4) acquire and institutionalize cultural knowledge and (5) adapt to diversity and the cultural contexts of the communities they serve.
incorporate the above in all aspects of policy making, administration, practice, service delivery, and involve systematically consumers, key stakeholders, and communities.
Cultural competence is a developmental process that evolves over an extended period. Both individuals and organizations are at various levels of awareness, knowledge, and skills along the cultural competence continuum.(2)
Cultural competence is the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services; thereby producing better outcomes.(3)
Principles of cultural competence include:(4)
Define culture broadly.
Value clients' cultural beliefs.
Recognize complexity in language interpretation.
Facilitate learning between providers and communities.
Involve the community in defining and addressing service needs.
Collaborate with other agencies.
Professionalize staff hiring and training.
Institutionalize cultural competence.
Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness by 
Cultural sensibility in healthcare : a personal & professional guidebook by 
Health Promotion in Multicultural Populations by 
Literacy and Bilingualism by 
Multicultural and Multilingual Literacy and Language by