CULTURAL EQUITY POLICY
FOUNDATION STATEMENT
Mental Health Association in Orange County, Inc. (MHA) seeks to provide individuals and families with high quality, community based and recovery oriented services that respect cultural differences and foster hope, strength and self-determination. Special consideration is given to individuals and families with high needs and low resources.
We are committed to creating and sustaining an environment in which staff, volunteers, service recipients and others are treated with respect and dignity. MHA representatives shall not participate in, nor tolerate situations in which persons are maligned or mistreated, especially relating to race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, age, beliefs or disabilities. All MHA representatives will actively promote an environment consistent with these principles and guidelines.
VISION FOR CULTURALLY EQUITABLE SERVICES
MHA believes that cultural equity is fundamental to providing quality services that promote individual and family strengths, dignity and self-reliance. Cultural equity broadens and enriches the delivery of services by providing a more holistic, relevant view of the world and the helping process. Cultural equity does not stand apart from, but is intrinsic to good service practices.
Cultural equity demands an ongoing commitment to openness and learning, taking time and taking risks, sitting with uncertainty and discomfort, and not having quick solutions or easy answers. It involves building trust, mentoring, developing and nurturing a frame of reference that considers alliances across cultures as enriching rather than threatening.
To that end, MHA will be guided by five values:
- Inclusiveness: MHA will actively seek out, incorporate and benefit from staff and volunteers who bring a broad array of multicultural perspectives. These perspectives will be evidenced in how MHA makes policy, personnel and administrative and service delivery decisions, and creates a welcoming environment.
- Cultural Allies: It is not enough to only increase the diversity of MHA’s staff and volunteers, its’ work environment must promote reciprocal sharing and learning across cultural groups. Building allies across cultural groups is MHA’s vehicle for promoting partnerships, equality and community.
- Self-Awareness: All persons have cultural attributes that connect them to and separate them from others. By exploring and acknowledging these attributes in one’s own culture, as well as in others’ cultures, it is possible to create greater opportunity to build relationships and alliances across cultural groups.
- Diversity: While every person is unique and cannot be fully defined by cultural attributes, some characteristics of cultural heritage are basic to any individual or group. Understanding the diverse cultural complexities that influence identity, assumptions, behaviors, expectations and beliefs can greatly benefit all aspects of human interaction.
- Involvement: MHA organizational and informal relationships with multiple cultural groups in the community, as well as the personal connections of its staff and volunteers, are prerequisites to better understanding and advocating for those facing complex challenges.
BECOME A MEMBER AND HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
MHA Office (845) 342-2400
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