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Benton County Cultural Proficiency – Educational Plan

Cultural proficiency is the development of behaviors, attitudes and knowledge that enable Benton County Government to engage and support people from a variety of diverse cultures.

Cultural Proficiency Definitions

1. Commitment to get to know and work with diverse groups in Benton County;

2. Willingness to build relationships of trust and mutual respect with the many different cultural groups living in Benton County;

3. Awareness of one's own cultural communication style and how that reflects one's beliefs and values;

4. Recognition that there are other valid cultural values, communication styles, and perspectives;

5. Ability to empathize with others;

6. Ability to adapt one's communication style to others; and

7. Ability to take mutual perspective so as to allow for a new belief system to emerge as an integration of each person's perspectives, beliefs and values.

The Benton County Board of Commissioners recognizes cultural proficiency as a learning priority for County employees. It will provide access to learning opportunities and educational resources as well as the provision of work time to participate in partnerships, collaborations and learning activities which contribute to the achievement of a culturally competent workforce.

All employees are required to attend a minimum of one culture proficiency development training opportunity each year. Training opportunities will be provided through Benton County Human Resources. Attendance at Community diversity events can also meet this requirement.

County Department Heads are responsible for tracking compliance with this educational requirement and will report results to the Board of Commissioners at their annual performance evaluations.

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