FY20 Results
and
FY21 Plan
CULTURAL COMPETENCY & DIVERSITY PLAN
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Developmental Disability Advocates
Cultural Competency and Diversity Plan
Cultural Competency is the ability to recognize, respect and address the uniqueness of every
individual, which is often affected by their culture, race, ethnicity, age, gender, spiritual beliefs,
sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status. These cultural influences
may impact a person’s needs, sense of worth, thoughts, communications, actions, customs,
beliefs and values.
Developmental Disability Advocates values diversity in persons served, employees, families
and other stakeholders. Developmental Disability Advocates seeks to fully serve the
community and the diversity it represents.
Developmental Disability Advocates will incorporate cultural diversity through
accommodations, training, and collaboration with other agencies / groups. It is the goal of
Developmental Disability Advocates to serve all people with the understanding of their own
uniqueness, history, background, experiences and culture.
Developmental Disability Advocates will obtain accurate and updated information regarding
the population it serves and the community through official census data, surveys and other
sources annually.
Developmental Disability Advocates documents the unique needs, requests, information
and accommodations listed below. This documentation can be found in individual support
plans, employment requests or other means obtained (surveys, direct communication,
suggestion box, etc.).
Culture – Developmental Disability Advocates considers each person’s cultural background
and recognizes the values and obstacles it may present. It is the goal to incorporate cultural
values and differences respectfully in all aspects of the agency.
Age – Developmental Disability Advocates hires people of all ages and seeks input from
stakeholders of all ages. The agency considers the generational background of each
individual as a part of developing their person centered plan and support needs. As
Developmental Disability Advocates provides service coordination and information/referral
services to individuals under the age of 16 (effective April 1, 2018), specific attention will be
given to outreach, service support needs, and existing community resources for this age
group.
Gender – Developmental Disability Advocates provides services and employment based on
need and qualifications. Gender may play a role in how services are delivered or input
received based on the person’s background and experiences.
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Sexual Orientation / Identification – Developmental Disability Advocates provides service
coordination to and employs all individuals without consideration to their sexual orientation
or identification. The agency respects the individual’s right to privacy and their ability to
express their self in a manner of their choosing.
Spiritual Beliefs – Developmental Disability Advocates recognizes the right for all people to
practice their faith or spiritual beliefs. The agency makes every effort to ensure that
services, employment and input received are accommodated regarding the person’s beliefs,
practices and traditions.
Socioeconomic Status – Developmental Disability Advocates serves a community with a vast
variety of household incomes and economic status. It is the value of the agency to support
all people with developmental disabilities and their family members.
Language – Developmental Disability Advocates provides language accommodations (as
available). The agency will always make a good-faith effort to accommodate a person’s
language needs. Interpreters, translators and documents in the language
spoken/understood are such options the agency would utilize.
Outcomes identified below will be reviewed by the Developmental Disability Advocates
leadership team on a quarterly basis and reviewed annually with the Board for relevance
and updating as needed.
Outcome #1
Measurement
Methodology
Annual Review
Employees receive
training on cultural
considerations.
80% minimum
score on post
test
Safety Training
within 60 days of
hire.
Annual AAIM
video training in
$$ each year.
FY20
100% of
employees met
minimum score
and time frames
for training.
Outcome #2
Measurement
Methodology
Annual Review
Individualized
Support Plans
(ISP’s) contain
information
regarding the
cultural
preferences of the
individuals
identified.
95% of ISP’s
25% random
sampling as a
part of the
performance
reviews.
FY20
100% of ISP’s
sampled met
measurement.
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Outcome #3
Measurement
Methodology
Annual Review
DD Advocates will
engage in
community
functions which
encompass
cultural
considerations of
the county.
Minimum of
three events.
Review /
identification
from service
coordination
quarterly reports.
Identification of
events to
participate in
based upon the
seven (7) core
areas identified in
this plan.
FY20
City of Arnold Age
Friendly City
initiative
(ongoing)
Information booth
at Arnold Days
(09/20-22/2019
Advocacy for
Jeffco Express bus
route in the city of
Arnold (2/6, 2/13,
2/27, and 3/5)
Outcome #4
Measurement
Methodology
Annual Review
DD Advocates will
develop a
marketing plan to
increase
awareness of our
services by
Jefferson county
public schools
(elementary and
middle), the MO
School for
Severely Disabled
in Mapaville, and
area physicians.
Written
marketing
plan and
targeted
materials
developed.
Schedule
strategic
presentations to
targeted groups.
Include reporting
of activities in SC
quarterly report.
FY20
In Process
New Outcomes for FY21
DD Advocates will
complete a self-
assessment and a
demographic
analysis of
individuals served.
Completed
assessment
will be shared
with Board.
Utilize self-
assessment
template from
DDRB in St.
Charles
FY21
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Research best
practices for
writing culturally
competent
support plans for
people with I/DD.
Checklist or
other tool will
be
implemented
Utilize national
resources such as
ANCOR,
NASDDDS, ICI at
UMass Boston,
CARF, etc. to
research best
practices in the
field of I/DD.
FY21
Collaborate with
Eastern Region
Alliance (ERA) on
increasing
diversity,
inclusion, and
equity awareness
with stakeholders.
Plan is
developed to
offer Boards
and partner
agencies
education and
awareness
activities.
Utilize a subject
matter expert in
the St. Louis
region to assist
with
development of a
plan for
education and
awareness.
FY21