Cultural Literacy

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As part of the Cultural Literacy Strategic Plan, we have set a target for each staff to attend at least 7 hours of training related to cultural issues.  In order to assist staff in achieving this goal, SCCCC and the components have provided relevant trainings at the all-agency retreat, at movie days, and at various component all-staff meetings.  We have also passed along information for trainings sponsored by the County and other community groups.

In addition to this, we have been allowing staff to get credit towards their goal by reading books, watching documentaries or movies, and attending events that they have found. This practice has generated many questions regarding what should count as a cultural training, and how many hours should be credited for these activities. The Cultural Literacy Committee is not empowered to approve individual requests by staff.  Supervisors will make decisions about what will count toward employees’ training goals.  However, we are providing the following set of criteria and guidelines to assist employees and supervisors in making these decisions.

The overall purpose of the Cultural Literacy training goal is to elevate the awareness of staff around diversity and cultural issues and to increase their cultural competence in order to more effectively serve individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.  To that end, the CL Committee has established the following criteria for what activities count as a cultural training.

Cultural Literacy Training Criteria

Training about people from underrepresented groups

Training on culture of people we serve, such as Latino, LGBTQ, African-American, Native American, other cultures related to your job

Training on diversity in general – acknowledgment and respect of cultures outside your own

Clinical training or training around diagnoses is not eligible, except if it is focused on the culture surrounding the diagnosis (e.g., training about the culture of people with addiction or mental health issues, like a panel of mental health consumers talking about their experience)

Agency-or County-Sponsored Trainings

When there are agency-sponsored trainings or events, the number of hours credited will be clearly stated in the announcement or flyer.  For example, the SCCCC-sponsored movies are 3 hours of credit (2 hr. movie, plus discussion) or the Sandy Lydon training at the retreat (3 hours).  Time spent at these trainings will be on your work time and you will receive credit towards your training target.  Likewise, trainings sponsored by the County or other agencies usually identify the number of hours and are attended on your work time. 

Individual Cultural Trainings Chosen by Employee

For activities you choose on your own, such as reading books, watching movies, or attending community events, we suggest that you fill out a brief report (suggested format below) and have established the following guidelines to serve as general parameters:  (However, your supervisor or component director makes final decisions).

 

Individual trainings will be approved by supervisor in advance

Individual trainings will be based on above criteria

Time spent participating in individual trainings will not count as paid work time

Watching a movie or documentary will count up to a maximum of 3 hours

Attending a cultural fair or event will count up to a maximum of 3 hours

Reading a book will count up to a maximum of 2 hours

For a list of available movies to check out, click here.

For a copy of the suggested report format, click here.