Cross Cultural Awareness - Implicit Bias and Cultural Competence

State and federal Civil Rights regulations (i.e., CDSS Division 21-117.2 and Food and Nutrition Services regulations) require the provision of cultural awareness training programs for all public contact employees. This “training shall pertain to specific cultural characteristics of the cultural groups served in the county. Presenting materials are designed to avoid group stereotyping (in accordance with Division 21-17.21)”. This workshop will help participants recognize how their unconscious biases may adversely influence their delivery of services to a diverse program participant population. Participants will learn communication techniques and develop conciliatory and mediation engagement skills in order to ensure consistent and equitable provider and customer inclusion and belonging.

Through self-reflection, participant will:
- Increase awareness of their own unconscious prejudices and biases;
- Learn how unconscious (micro-aggressive) engagement can impact the relationship between the provider and customer;
- Learn to recognize how culturally related concerns, issues and miscommunication become cultural conflicts and Civil Rights complaints of discrimination;
- Learn general knowledge and communication skills to ensure equity and inclusion