UACF is committed to ensuring that services delivered to children and their families include culturally appropriate treatment interventions, services, and mental health assessments. California is expected to lead the nation in population growth by 2025 with multicultural and multilingual populations increasing. The diversity of languages and beliefs are significant in relation to the mental health needs of children and their families. California also has a higher degree of poverty than the national average for children under the age of 18. Many of these children live in rural communities and are children from families of minority ethnic and cultural groups, and they have significantly higher rates of poverty and experience significant institutional discrimination. Both contribute to the development of emotional disorders and interfere with accessing quality mental health care. Families are also challenged in a multicultural society to equalize power between children, youth and their families and their mental health providers in order to improve outcomes.

The cultural competence articles and links are from families, professionals and anyone who is interested in culturally competent children’s mental health issues. These links are listed for your convenience and do not necessarily represent endorsement by United Advocates for Children and Families.