Curriculum 1: Understanding and Implementing the CLAS Standards

Key CLAS-related Terminology

In almost any discussion of how to plan for, implement, maintain, and assess culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS), a number of key words and phrases will occur. Understanding the core definitions of these terms offers a valuable platform on which to build an understanding why CLAS is so vital to providing effective healthcare to every patient and consumer. The definitions that follow are some of the most important, although this list is by no means complete.

Terminology A-C

Accessibility: A site, facility, workplace, service, or program’s capacity to allow persons with some form of disability to approach, enter, operate, participate in, or use safely and with dignity

Acculturation: Cultural change of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture; a merging of cultures resulting from prolonged contact.

Ageism: Stereotyping of and discriminating against individuals or groups because of their age

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Law that became effective in July 1990 and was amended in January 2009.The ADA prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. The ADA defines disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." Whether a particular condition is considered a disability is determined on a case-by-case basis, with some specific conditions—such as current substance abuse and visual impairment that is correctable by prescription lenses—excluded as disabilities

Assimilation: The process of taking on the cultural traditions and practices of a particular people or group, which is typically a larger or more dominant group than their own

Bisexual: A person emotionally and/or sexually attracted to members of both sexes, although there may be a preference for one gender over another

CLAS standards: The collective set of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) mandates, guidelines, and recommendations issued by the DHHS Office of Minority Health intended to inform, guide, and facilitate practices related to culturally and linguistically appropriate health services.

Community: Any set of persons that differs from other sets in a society due to demographic, economic, or social characteristics (eg, age, sex, education level, race, religion, income, lifestyle, beliefs, and so forth)

Culture: The ideas, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups

Cultural competence: Having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities

Culture:

Integrated patterns of human behavior that includes thoughts, beliefs, values, actions, customs, and institutions of racial, ethnic, organizational, or social groups
Shared world views of groups of people
Ways humans process information and do things within families, groups, or organizations
Integrated pattern of human behavior which includes thought, communication, language, beliefs, values, practices, customs
Courtesies, rituals, manner of interacting, roles, relationships, and expected behaviors of a racial, ethnic religious or social group and the ability to transmit these patterns to succeeding generations

Cultural and linguistic competence: “Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. ‘Culture’ refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups. ‘Competence’ implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities.” (Based on Cross, T, Bazron, B, Dennis, K, Isaacs, M. Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care Volume I. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Child Development Center, CASSP Technical Assistance Center; 1989).

Culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS): Services that are respectful of and responsive to cultural and linguistic needs

Cultural and linguistic competence: a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations

Cultural sensitivity: Ability to respond appropriately to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of groups of people who share a common, distinctive racial, national, religious, linguistic, or cultural heritage

Terminology is continued on the next page

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	1. Understanding and Implementing the CLAS Standards Curricula 1 2 3 4 AETC-NMC Home Curricula Home Glossary Feedback

	About Curriculum 1 Module 1: CLAS Standards Overview Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Development of CLAS Standards Title VI Obligations CLAS-Related Terminology Target Audiences for Training Curricula & Trainers Training & Education Resources Assessing the Trainings Content of CLAS Standards Stringency of CLAS Standards Assessment Questions Module 2: Culturally Competent Care Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Assessment Questions Module 3: Language Access Services Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Standard 4 Standard 5 Standard 6 Standard 7 Assessment Questions Module 4: Organizational Supports Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Standard 8 Standard 9 Standard 10 Standard 11 Standard 12 Standard 13 Standard 14 Assessment Questions	Key CLAS-related Terminology In almost any discussion of how to plan for, implement, maintain, and assess culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS), a number of key words and phrases will occur. Understanding the core definitions of these terms offers a valuable platform on which to build an understanding why CLAS is so vital to providing effective healthcare to every patient and consumer. The definitions that follow are some of the most important, although this list is by no means complete. Terminology A-C Accessibility: A site, facility, workplace, service, or program’s capacity to allow persons with some form of disability to approach, enter, operate, participate in, or use safely and with dignity Acculturation: Cultural change of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture; a merging of cultures resulting from prolonged contact. Ageism: Stereotyping of and discriminating against individuals or groups because of their age Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Law that became effective in July 1990 and was amended in January 2009.The ADA prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. The ADA defines disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." Whether a particular condition is considered a disability is determined on a case-by-case basis, with some specific conditions—such as current substance abuse and visual impairment that is correctable by prescription lenses—excluded as disabilities Assimilation: The process of taking on the cultural traditions and practices of a particular people or group, which is typically a larger or more dominant group than their own Bisexual: A person emotionally and/or sexually attracted to members of both sexes, although there may be a preference for one gender over another CLAS standards: The collective set of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) mandates, guidelines, and recommendations issued by the DHHS Office of Minority Health intended to inform, guide, and facilitate practices related to culturally and linguistically appropriate health services. Community: Any set of persons that differs from other sets in a society due to demographic, economic, or social characteristics (eg, age, sex, education level, race, religion, income, lifestyle, beliefs, and so forth) Culture: The ideas, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups Cultural competence: Having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities Culture: Integrated patterns of human behavior that includes thoughts, beliefs, values, actions, customs, and institutions of racial, ethnic, organizational, or social groups Shared world views of groups of people Ways humans process information and do things within families, groups, or organizations Integrated pattern of human behavior which includes thought, communication, language, beliefs, values, practices, customs Courtesies, rituals, manner of interacting, roles, relationships, and expected behaviors of a racial, ethnic religious or social group and the ability to transmit these patterns to succeeding generations Cultural and linguistic competence: “Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. ‘Culture’ refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups. ‘Competence’ implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities.” (Based on Cross, T, Bazron, B, Dennis, K, Isaacs, M. Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care Volume I. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Child Development Center, CASSP Technical Assistance Center; 1989). Culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS): Services that are respectful of and responsive to cultural and linguistic needs Cultural and linguistic competence: a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations Cultural sensitivity: Ability to respond appropriately to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of groups of people who share a common, distinctive racial, national, religious, linguistic, or cultural heritage Terminology is continued on the next page « BACK NEXT »
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1. Understanding and Implementing the CLAS Standards

Key CLAS-related Terminology

Terminology A-C