Track 2-2c
Clinical

Becoming Culturally Competent in Mental Health Service Delivery

Direct providers of mental health services have long embraced the idea of using the most effective methods for the treatment of mental illness. Services that are culturally relevant and sensitive are generally better accepted by consumers and their families, leading to better compliance with prescribed therapies.
  Becoming cultural1y competent is a developmental process that incorporates -- at all levels -- the importance of culture, the assessment of cross-cultural relations, vigilance towards the dynamics that result from cultural differences, the expansion of cultural knowledge, and the adaptation of services to meet culturally-unique needs. The provision of services in a culturally competent manner is fundamental in any effort to ensure appropriate access to service. This is essential to the provision of high quality and cost-effective services. Providing services in a manner that fails to achieve its intended result due to cultural and linguistic barriers is not cost-effective. In the process of becoming culturally and linguistically competent, providers have encountered some roadblocks that interfere with their ability to deliver services in the most effective manner. Some examples of those roadblocks are:

• Lack of awareness of cultural characteristics that impact care.
• Unavailability of translated materials.
• Unavailability of trained bilingual staff.
• No enforceability of laws and regulations.
• Underestimating the importance of verbal communication on Informed Consent English only laws.
• Absence of standards enforced by accrediting agencies.
• Lack of knowledge about drugs and herbs commonly used by culturally diverse patients.

  J. Ruben Lozano, PharmD
  Deputy Director, Program Compliance Division
  California Department of Mental Health
  1600 9th Street, Room 250
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  Phone: (916) 654-3576
  Fax: (916) 654-6394
  Rlozano@dmh.cahwnet.gov

Dr. Lozano joined the Department of Mental Health (DMH) in 1981 and has served as a Pharmaceutical Consultant and Clinical Pharmacist with various units of the Department. In that role he has been involved with the development of all policies and procedures regarding drug treatment of persons who are mentally ill and are receiving treatment in the California public mental health system. For the past four years, Dr. Lozano has served as Deputy Director for Program Compliance. In this role, Dr. Lozano has responsibility for the Fiscal Audits, PASARR, Licensing and Certification, and Medi-Cal Oversight units. A clinical team in the Medi-Cal Oversight unit reviews second level Inpatient TAR Appeals and recommendations are made to Dr. Lozano, in his capacity as Hearing Officer, for the final disposition of each case. Other responsibilities have included such leadership roles as the Assistant Deputy Director, Division of State Hospitals, which oversees the operation of 4 state hospitals and a prison Psychiatric Program; Acting Deputy Director for the Division of Administration; and Human Rights Officer for the Department. During his tenure, Dr. Lozano has been appointed to serve as Chair of several committees including the Cultural Competence Task Force, the DMH TAR Appeals Workgroup, the DMH Psychopharmacology Advisory Committee and the Clinical Services Task Force.  NEXT >

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