::Our Process::

At PBH (Piedmont Behavioral Healthcare) in 2004, system reform ushered in a new focus on then an emerging mental health issue of providing culturally competent care in the mental health system. As the diversity of the general population and the consumer population has increased, PBH began a process to address and ensure cultural competence throughout service delivery.

It was quickly discovered that this process was one in which we needed active participation within PBH, our provider network, and the community. We also realized that we needed a method to collect baseline data as we assessed our status as a local management entity.

Among the first actions that were taken was the development of a Cultural Competence Advisory Committee whose tasks were to oversee the development of a Cultural Competence Plan and the pending implementation. Other important steps and goals that were taken and realized:

  • To conduct a national literature review on Cultural Competence
  • To assist in the development of a Cultural Competence Plan through the development of a Cultural Competence Study Committee
  • To identify disparities that exist within the system
  • To select and oversee the administration of a survey instrument that would determine the baseline data for the system
  • To recommend opportunity areas and acknowledge areas of strength
  • To develop a Cultural Competence Plan for PBH and a plan for our provider network

In 2006, PBH released its first Cultural Competence Plan that covered nine domains that were consistent with the national data on cultural competence. In 2007, the Cultural Competence Provider Subcommittee released the provider version of this plan.

Since that time PBH has held two successful statewide conferences on Cultural Competence and has maintained several educational initiatives for the provider network. Brochures have been developed along with various models for implementing cultural competence including “How to Write a Cultural Competence Plan”.

Our efforts are on-going. To learn more about our process, click here
PBH Website :: Provider Website :: Consumer Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) :: Quality Management Website :: System of Care Website