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Question: Hello! I am Joe Shepherd and I work for Floyd County Public Library in New Albany, IN. I recently came on board as a customer service liaison, but I am working on my Master's in Social Work, while working on social service projects for the library. I am full time, part customer service and part social service outreach. Currently, I am trying to develop a diversity training for our staff. When I started working here, I've heard how some staff refer to certain patrons based on their socioeconomic status (we have several homeless patrons,) other races (on mentioned a Chinese woman), and individuals that have mental health conditions (one staff member described a man that has some form of psychosis.) They do not realize how they are speaking about these individuals. So I would like to incorporate unconscious bias training into diversity training. I've used the community toolbox when I was working on a needs assessment for a local non profit and I love the diversity section, but I do have questions. How can I tie in implicit bias with the diversity? I have looked for several resources but I am having trouble finding some that are still relevant or do not have broken links (or pages that have been taken down). Any little bit of information will help! Thanks!

Answer:

Dear Joe,

your interest in managing cultural diversities are really valuable. Such an issue is at the base of our work as community psychologists.

In the Community Tool Box, I suggest the whole Chapter 27. “Cultural Competence in a Multicultural World”, and, in particular, Section 2. “Building Relationships with People from Different Cultures”, the Main Section /en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/building-relationships/main and the related Tools /en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/building-relationships/tools

I find of interest also Section 4. “Strategies and Activities for Reducing Racial Prejudice and Racism”, where, as a tool, there is a PowerPoint presentation, very useful, which may be uploaded, on the page /en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/reduce-prejudice-racism/powerpoint

I suggest you as well Section 7. “Building Culturally Competent Organizations”, and its Tools /en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/culturally-competent-organizations/main

In each Main Section, Print Resources are indicated, so you can – if you want – analyze thoroughly the matter with further readings.

Many compliments for your awareness and sensitiveness and many wishes for your work!

Question Date: Thu, 01/23/2020