Planning Programs to Break Down Cultural Barriers

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Planning Programs to Break Down Cultural Barriers

• Dallas L. Holmes, USU Extension
• Adapted from an article by Lisa A. Guion and
  Nicole Walker, Florida State University
  Cooperative Extension, 2005.

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Programs to Break Down Barriers

• It is important to remember that all
  categorizations of traditions, communication
  styles and learning styles within a community are
  generalizations.
• Everyone, in every culture, is unique in their
  perspective on the world.

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Programs to Break Down Barriers

• The most effective and accurate way to understand
  an individual, group or family, is to hear it
  from them directly.
• Cultural Guides help to facilitate this
  interaction by bridging the chasm between the two
  cultures.

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Programs that Break Down Barriers

• Extension Family Life Specialist, Linda Skogrand
  conducted research to understand what cultural
  underpinnings were present in strong Latino
  marriages.

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Linda Skogrand Family Life Specialist

• I worked with two Catholic priests and two
  Latino community leaders to help recruit couples.
  
• It was absolutely necessary for someone who is
  trusted by the Latino community to make the
  referral and connection to the couples.
• In each case the priest or community leader
  contacted the couple who they felt had a strong
  marriage and I made the follow up phone call to
  set up the interview.

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Linda SkograndFamily Life Specialist

• The things that were essential in making this
  work was working with Latino leaders or others
  who work with the Latino population to recruit
  the couples. In fact, more than once we called
  the couple and if we did not use the name of the
  person who had contacted them on our behalf in
  the first sentence, the person would hang up the
  phone. The lack of trust on the part of people in
  the Latino culture is great, probably having to
  do with documentation issues. It is essential to
  work with someone who is trusted or you will get
  nowhere.

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Getting Beyond Cultural Barriers

• How can I get beyond cultural barriers in order
  to develop real cross-cultural connections?

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Getting Beyond Cultural Barriers

• In order to be of use to any community, Extension
  educators must first value and respect the
  community.
• Community service
• Language or Education Centers
• Show the community that you are genuine in your
  interest to help them.

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Getting Beyond Cultural Barriers

• Culturally Sensitive Language
• How does the person prefer to be named?
• African American vs. Jamaican
• Oriental vs. Asian
• Latino vs. Hispanic
• Just Ask!
• Avoid insensitive names and phrases
• You People

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Twelve Strategies for finding common ground

1. Develop programs to address the real-life, felt
   or expressed needs of the community.
2. Offer programs in familiar surroundings
   neighborhood churches, schools, etc.

1. Meet in a location serviced by public
   transportation systems.
2. Take childcare needs into account when planning
   Extension services.
3. Offer culturally appropriate prizes or
   refreshments.

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Twelve Strategies for finding common ground

1. Take cultural holidays and community gatherings
   into consideration so that your programs do not
   conflict.
2. Dress appropriately and respectfully for the
   cultural group you are serving.

1. Select visuals that reflect the cultural and
   ethnic identity of the community.
2. Use materials written at an appropriate level and
   in the appropriate language.
3. Use examples that are relevant and meaningful to
   the community.

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Twelve Strategies for finding common ground

1. Involve Cultural Guides and diverse volunteers in
   program design and implementation.
2. Identify and use the appropriate teaching style
   to address preferred learning styles.

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Planning Programs to Break Down Cultural Barriers

• In order to build trust with diverse audiences,
  there needs to be a foundation of trust, respect,
  understanding and interaction in place.
• Using Cultural Guides and planning
  culturally-appropriate activities and programs
  helps cement that foundation in place.

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Suggested Reading

• Guion, L. A., Goddard, H.W., Broadwater, G.,
  Chattaraj, S., Sullivan-Lytle, S. (2003).
  Strengthening programs to reach diverse
  audiences. Gainesville, FL Florida Cooperative
  Extension, University of Florida. Available at
  http//fycs-diversity.ifas.ufl.edu