Abstract
This research study focuses on assessing culturally competent home visitation services from the perspective of the client. A review of the literature finds that although gathering client feedback is important to service delivery, there is a lack of research evidence established by gathering client feedback on the cultural competency of their service providers, as well as a scarcity of tools to measure cultural competency from the client perspective (Clark, 2010; Cornelius et al., 2004; Switzer et al., 1998; Fuertes & Brobst, 2002; Lum, 1999; Bhui et al., 2007; Ahmed & Bates, 2012). Therefore, this study attempted to find and adapt a tool that could be used to measure the cultural competence of a local home visitation program. Participants (N=24) in the agency were surveyed via mail regarding their perceptions of their home visitor and the agency’s cultural competence. The tool used is comprised of eight subscales repeatedly found in the literature assessing factors relating to cultural competence. The purpose of this study is to determine if the clients’ perceptions of the cultural competence of the services received, vi is reflective of the service providers’ philosophies and standards of cultural competence. Findings demonstrated that the culturally competent practices of the service provider were reflected in the perception of the clients. An analysis of the descriptive statistics showed that 100% of participants felt their home visitor respected them and their cultural beliefs. Significant positive correlations demonstrate a close relationship between the varying skills of culturally competent practice. Furthermore, only one statistically significant t-test result between the responses of the racial groups represented was found in the study. The varying perceptions differed on the Consumer Involvement subscale; White participants felt less involved than People of Color in receiving support from their home visitor in areas outside of child rearing, the confidentiality of the home visitor, and support for ethnic matching with the service provider. The overall findings suggest that implementing standards for culturally competent service delivery are positively reflected in clients’ perceptions of services.