Running head: Cultural Competency Immersion Project

Cultural Competency Immersion Project

Deana L. Seaman
Wilmington University

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Abstract

As we enter the graduate level of Human Service it is vital that we set a high standard of conduct
and understanding for all people. This understanding includes other cultures, races, religion and
people from all walks of life. We must look deep within ourselves to make sure that we truly
understand the cultures and beliefs of others, not only for ourselves but for our staff and our
organizations. In this report we will examine and gain a deeper understanding of the Southern
American culture right here in our own country. We will look at their way of life, their religious
practices, their foods and traditions. Immersing ourselves in the culture of Southern Americans
will provide a foundation for becoming culturally competent in our practices. We will address
what we can do to provide the best service to individuals who are a part of this culture. We will
come away with a clearer understanding of the uniqueness of the Southern American population.

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Cultural Competency Immersion Project

Initial Independence Inc. of Jackson Ohio serves people with disabilities and mental
illness in the Jackson, Ohio and surrounding area. Trainings are provided to staff, not only to care
for, but also to understand the daily struggles of these individuals. To fully understand these
struggles, one must understand the nature of mental illness, and especially when it is coupled
with developmental disabilities. However, one must also understand that having a disability or
mental illness does not alleviate the deeply rooted practices and beliefs associated with ones
own culture.
I chose the Southern American culture because I grew up in the North and since moving
to this area realized that my own way of thinking and living was very different from the Southern
clients that we serve and the employees that we hire. To gain an understanding of this culture and
learn how to better serve them, I chose them for this project. They have very distinct practices,
foods, and beliefs that have been passed from one generation to another. They have been
stigmatized as being uneducated, often ridiculed for their southern drawl and slow speaking
dialect. It is an interesting thought to learn about the ways of Americans that were a major part of
our countrys foundation.
Southern American History
Southern United States, commonly just referred to as the south or Dixie constitutes a
large distinctive region in the southeastern and south central United States. The south has
developed its own customs, literature, musical styles and varied cuisines. (Wilson & Ferris,
2015). Some of these states are Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West
Virginia, Kentucky Mississippi, Tennessee and bordering states like Ohio follow these same
customs and traditions. After the Civil War, the south was largely devastated in terms of its

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population, infrastructure and economy. The south has historically been financially
disadvantaged when compared to the rest of the United States. The Southern Culture has been
and remains generally more conservative than the rest of the country. Rural Communities often
developed strong attachment to their churches and still do to this day. Southern people were
known to be hospitable and this tradition became known as southern hospitality Dialects vary
throughout the southern region, from the Appalachian region to the southeastern gulf, the dialect
changes. Southern cuisine is one of the most distinctive traits of the region, heavy use of lard and
fats is common. Cornbread, biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, beans, all of these are well known
food items in the south. Southern literature such as came from writers like Mark Twain and
William Faulkner are a part of the southern roots. Music is very important in the southern
culture, gospel hymns along with country music have long been a part of this culture. These
traditions play an important role in forming how the people from Southern America think, act
and believe. In order to serve these individuals one must understand the intense loyalty that this
population feels toward these traditions and beliefs. As you get to know this culture you begin to
see that God is the final authority on decisions of right and wrong. The Bible is the written guide
to life. However, many have grown up rough and struggled to live in poverty. Many cling to the
old ways, and remain loyal to traditions that can sometimes include racial prejudice and gender
inequality. In order to immerse oneself in this culture, one must understand the depth of this
loyalty.
Immersion Experiences
Film Coal Miners Daughter
Auto Biography of Country Singer Loretta Lynn
Directed by- Michael Apted

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This film depicts the life of young Loretta Lynn, who grew up in Kentucky where her father
worked in the coal mines, the movie begins with 14-year-old Loretta taking care of the younger
siblings while her mother cooks, cleans and washes clothes from a tub and using a washboard
until her hands would bleed. The town was muddy, and covered in coal dust. This movie shows
the poverty stricken family living off of biscuits and gravy and occasionally wild game. Their
clothes were worn and also covered in coal dust. They attended church in the best clothes that
they had. Lorettas father living by the scripture spare the rod and spoil the child at one point
leaves welts on Lorettas legs for talking with the young man that she later married at the age of
fifteen. One line states that the only thing to do was work the coal mines, run moonshine
(homemade whiskey) or sing country music.
Lorettas husband who she calls Doo buys her a guitar and Loretta begins her career. Doo,
followed the tradition of correcting his wife with abuse. He later changed after many years of her
suffering. Like many southern women she believed in staying with her husband no matter what.
The movie shows the true traditions of the southern culture, Loretta Lynn came to be called the
queen of country music, became rich and through it all, spoke and sang with a strong accent,
remained with her husband until he died and raised her children. She often wrote songs about the
hardships of growing up in poverty in the south.
I learned many things by watching this film, some parts were very difficult to watch,
when abuse was accepted as what was right and was to be accepted by women as part of being a
good wife. Traditions were born out of necessity as far as foods and entertainment went. Women
sang their babies to sleep and community get togethers were valued to share their traditions and
at least know that they were not alone in this struggle. Here in rural Ohio, many people still cling

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to these traditions even though laws and attitudes are changing and the abuse is not practiced like
it was then. Church and community remain strong ties and overcoming poverty is still ongoing.
(Schwartz & Apted, 1980).

The Interview. I chose to interview a staff person whose name I will change to protect
her privacy. I will call her Misty. Misty grew up in this local area and calls herself a true
redneck I ask Misty to start by telling me about her child hood.
Misty- For as far back as I can remember, we went to church almost every Sunday, we
would come home after service and enjoy a family day. Mom would cook food like ham,
cornbread, greens and everything else she could think of. She baked her own pies and cakes from
scratch. We would get out of our good clothes and run around outside to play, it was a great way
to live. We would play up until mom called us in to eat and then we said grace and ate like hogs!
We knew to be mannerly at the table, or dad would give us a whoopin we would not forget. Once
a year we went to the county fair, it was a big event for us. We would each enter an animal that
we had raised into the animal show. We went to school, right down the street to the same
elementary school that my boys go to now.
Me- How have things changed from then until now?
Misty- In some ways they are entirely different, in others they are still the same. We still
go to church almost every Sunday, we have family dinner just like we used to, but now I do the
cooking. I still use a lot of the recipes my mom passed down to me. My kids run around outside,
and build forts and tree houses just like we did. The laws have changed now though when it
comes to discipline, but they still know to show respect or else! (Misty didnt say what the or
else was) My kids are all raising animals for the county fair, this year my oldest son is raising a

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lamb. It makes them learn responsibility. We dont farm like they did back then, now we all work
on jobs to make a living.
Me- How do you feel about other cultures moving in to this area?
Misty- As long as they dont bother me or my kids Im ok with it. They dont always fit
though, they make fun of our accents, our food but this is our way of life we are proud of it.
Me- what do you feel like being a southerner really means?
Misty- To me it means you love God first, love your family and raise them to respect
others. We eat well, love our country music and know how to have fun. We try to do to others
what we would want them to do to us. I believe southerners are good people.
Me- what was the hardest part of growing up southern?
Misty- Being poor! We had fun but we never had enough of anything, not enough food,
or clothes, or entertainment. We didnt always realize it until we got a little older and thats when
you felt different from the kids who had more. I know it made me wiser though, more
understanding of people who are down on their luck.
Me- what was the best thing about growing up southern?
Misty- The family closeness, the neighbors helping each other out. Campfires and pig
roasts! It was a humble life but it made me who I am and Im thankful for that. God blessed me
with great kids and a good life.
Me- thank you Misty for sharing your story with me.
Summary of Immersion Project:
I believe that I found ways that allowed me to experience first-hand the culture of this
population. While spending time with Misty and others like her, I was able to see clearly how
this culture differs from the northern culture that I grew up in. By viewing the film Coal

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Miners Daughter I was able to see how traditions both good and bad influence the lives and
actions of this humble but proud population. Loretta Lynn came to be a very wealthy lady and
yet her loyalty to her southern roots was evident in everything that she did. The many songs that
she wrote would tell stories of her moms hard work and her fathers days in the coal mines of
Kentucky. On talk shows Loretta would talk about Doo and his ways that she could never get
him to change. In her slow southern drawl, she would talk about life in the Kentucky hills.
Assessing the Field Work Agency:
Initial Independence at 257 E. Main St Jackson Ohio has a welcoming atmosphere to
clients and family members of clients. A dress code that blends with the local culture gives the
appearance of down to earth people reaching out to help those in need. With the Immersion
population, I believe this is very important in making them feel comfortable to seek services for
their loved ones with developmental disabilities. No one is treated differently due to culture.
Agencys Community:
The community surrounding Initial Independence is a fairly small town area that caters to
a community that has been the same for many years. Older style buildings with huge front
porches and swings that people still actually use. There are Hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores,
restaurants and the usual fast food as in anywhere in America. Many of the stores are small and
one must travel at least an hour to the nearest mall. Some of the names have that old time
southern ring like the Piggly Wiggly stores that have been around for years, others like
Walmart are familiar to most of America. Access to most of ones needs is readily available, a
few things I have come to realize that is less available, are behind the scenes professionals like
behavior analysts and mental health services. This can be very difficult to adjust to, when you
come from an area where these services are only a phone call away.

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Access:
Access to our agency is done through referrals from institutions, doctors, or the county
boards, or state agencies. There is no walk in services, only placements through other agencies.
Our services are provided in their homes that we secure for them. There is no public
transportation other than taxis. Most of the visits to our office by clients are provided by the
organizations staff. Below is a map of the area.

Receptivity:
When you enter Initial Independence, you are greeted by a polite secretary with a friendly
smile. The clients know her by her first name and are always happy to see her. The room has two
soft chairs placed by tables with magazines for reading. The Director comes from her office to
say hi. Clients mill around the office and are made to feel like part of a family. They visit the
Directors office and help themselves to jelly beans kept there just for that reason. I believe it is a
very inviting place and clients often ask staff to bring them by just to visit. As stated in
STANDARD 1 of the NOHS code Human service professionals recognize and build on client
and community strengths, the clients are encouraged to be a part of the community and are

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involved in recreation and other activities within the community. This encourages a feeling of
belonging in their neighborhoods.
Administration and staff training:
Initial Independence trains their staff in cultural competency, as well as training in
understanding mental illness, developmental disabilities and how culture can influence how
receptive they may be to services and help. Numerous other trainings are required, such as being
sensitive to the difficulties of raising children with disabilities and the effect it can have on the
whole family. Culture can influence how the family views mental illness in general, and how we
can be sensitive to this cultural view while still providing the best care possible for our clients.
We have literature available in other languages if it should be needed. When Initial Independence
transitions a new client they follow STANDARD 18 of the NOHS code that states, Human
service professionals describe the effectiveness of treatment programs, interventions and
treatments, and/or techniques accurately, supported by data whenever possible. This is important
to make sure that clients and family members are informed about what our program offers.
Funding: We are funded almost solely by the Medicaid Waiver that pays for services
provided for people with developmental disabilities. The company often funds clients until
everything is in place. We are a for-profit organization so of course the budget is always an issue.
The company believes that it is very important to have well trained staff and so through their
profits they supply training that is necessary to provide a high level of care.
Staff Sensitivity:
This is an area that I feel this organization really excels at, the staff treat our clients with
care and compassion, they are treated with the respect that their age dictates, they are not treated
like children in adult bodies but instead like adults with desires, feelings, and wishes just like the

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rest of the world. The services are based on a person centered approach. I have witnessed staff
come back on their own time just to wish a Happy Birthday or drop off a Christmas gift. The
staff are sensitive to the cultural practices of the clients and assist them in following their own
beliefs.
Agency Programs and Services:
Initial Independence works in harmony with the local county board, state officials,
institutions, advocates and court appointed guardians. With each new client a team is formed
consisting of the client, the guardian, county board representative, family members and any other
service providers involved in their care, including the Initial Independence provider
representative. The agencys mission is to provide care in a family like atmosphere, this is
accomplished by the whole team determining the needs of the client and by making every effort
to supply those needs.
Effort:
The organization makes every effort to involve the community and members of the
individuals team in the preparation of programs specific to each individual clients needs. In our
organization there is no one size fits all program but rather a program of services is designed
around the individuals specific needs. While each person lives in a home in the community,
some have roommates, some dont, depending on their desires and even financial needs. The
individuals guardian is always involved from the planning and placement to years after they
become a client and have transferred. The person centered approach is to maintain an attitude of
always keeping the client first.
Quality:

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Assessments are done regularly to ensure that the quality of the program is maintained.
Service providers, clients, family members and guardians all provide input into the quality and
satisfaction with the program. Initial Independence adjusts where it needs to in order to maintain
a high standard of care. We recently had guardians give their input as to what they are satisfied
with and what they feel could use improvement. We use surveys and personal contact to receive
input.
Effectiveness
At this time the numbers of clients are low, the owners have decided to maintain a slow
growth rate until they are ready to expand and appropriate staffing can be secured. By 2019 Ohio
must have individuals out of institutes and into community care. This timeframe allows Initial
Independence to be ready when that time arrives. I have noticed a lack of behavioral health care
in this area and among this population. This area is in desperate need of behavioral analysts.
Efficiency:
Initial Independence works in harmony with other similar services in the area, some are
the following: Expand Your Horizons- provides recreational outings for Individuals with
disabilities, this group takes into account the individuals cultures and plans outings that appeal to
this culture. Gallco provides vocational services that are culturally sensitive and allow
individuals to work in a safe environment. Adena Counseling Services offers crisis intervention
that takes into account culture, mental status and physical health. They work in harmony with
Initial Independence when individuals are in a crisis situation.
In conclusion, the cultural Immersion project allowed me to come to a deeper
understanding of Southern American culture and has taught me how to immerse oneself in other
cultures. In order to, not only observe but really feel the traditions and values of that culture. I

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feel that I will carry this experience with me and put into practice the lessons learned from it. I
will be able to help the clients in my charge as well as staff to better accept the ways and
traditions of those different from ourselves.

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References

Schwartz, B. (Producer) & Apted, M. (Director). (1980). Coal Miners Daughter

[Motion picture]. U.S.: Universal studios

Wilson, C., & Ferris, W. (2015). Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. In A.

Abadie, & M. Hart (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. Chapel Hill,
NC: UNC Press.