The U.S. population is becoming increasingly diverse, particularly with respect to the rapidly growing number of multicultural, multi-lingual low-income children and families. Changes in the diversity of communities across the country have prompted a call to action for many service providers, as well as funders of such programs, to reduce disparities in the access and utilization of services.
Given the rapidly changing demographics among high-poverty communities in the United States, it is of the utmost importance that organizations recognize the particular needs of the culturally and linguistically diverse populations they serve through programmatic services, and that applications for funding announcements appropriately reflect this responsiveness to increasingly diverse populations. Social service programs are finding that in order to keep pace with the demand, community-based organizations (CBOs) must deliver more culturally responsive services. Cultural competency is an important way that CBOs can become more responsive to the needs of the increasingly diverse populations they serve.
This resource guide, Supporting the Development of Culturally Responsive Approaches to Serving Diverse Populations, is designed to help CBOs serve the needs of their diverse populations, and is part of the work of the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families. Read the full report.