Cultural & Linguistic Competence

The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD) has long provided leadership in cultural and linguistic competence. Through a variety of programs and projects, the GUCCHD has provided the vision, leadership, knowledge, training and technical assistance to increase the capacity of systems and programs serving a broad array of individuals and families to design, implement and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems. GUCCHD has led efforts to infuse cultural and linguistic competence into key human services systems and programs including the following:

• programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities,
• systems of care for children and youth with mental health needs,
• systems and programs serving children and youth with special health care needs
• primary health care delivery
• programs for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death
• In addition, the GUCCHD supports the cultural and linguistic competence of the current and future human services workforce through enhancing professional training

Currently, the National Center for Cultural Competence coordinates these efforts within the GUCCHD.

Recent publications

• Promoting Cultural Diversity and Cultural Competency: Self-Assessment Checklist for Personnel Providing Behavioral Health Services and Supports to Children, Youth and Their Families. Available online
• Policy Brief: Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Family Supports. Available online
• Engaging Youth to Create Positive Change: Parent Support Network of Rhode Island Available online
• Infusing Cultural and Linguistic Competence into Health Promotion Training