Changing demographics: Implications for training in early intervention

Abstract

Programs and services for young children and their families are serving increasingly diverse populations. Many families are from ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups that are not represented among staff members. At the same time, programs and services are attempting to be family centered or family guided in their practice. Until training in cross-cultural competence is incorporated in an ongoing way into preservice and inservice training, the mismatch between staff and families may interfere with effective service delivery. The article establishes a rationale for cross-cultural competence, provides examples of cultural conflicts that can occur, and discusses the essential training components in cross-cultural competence.