Ruben Cantu Program Director CRDP Facilitator/Writer

1. California Reducing Disparities ProjectStrategic PlanCultural Competence & Mental Health Southern Region Summit XVIIISan Diego, December 6th Ruben Cantu Program Director CRDP Facilitator/Writer

2. CPEHN: Together We’re Stronger Ethnic organizations join together • Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum • California Black Health Network • California Rural Indian Health Board • Latino Coalition for a Healthy California

3. Eliminating Health Disparities

4. California Reducing Disparities Project • A groundbreaking investment of public dollars in reducing disparities • Population reports for the African American; Asian and Pacific Islander; Latino; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning; and Native American communities • Comprehensive strategic plan to reduce disparities

5. Facilitator/Writer for the CRDP Strategic Plan • Facilitate sharing and feedback with five strategic planning workgroups (SPWs) and the California MHSA Multicultural Coalition (CMMC) • Assist in development and dissemination of population reports • Develop statewide reducing disparities strategic plan

6. Population Reports • Five population reports • Comprehensive stakeholder process = 1000s of people • Community-defined practices • Promising practices • Recommendations for reducing disparities • Available at: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/CaliforniaReducingDisparitiesProject(CRDP).aspx

7. The Strategic Plan • A synthesis of the population reports • A roadmap to transforming our current mental health system into one that better meets the needs of all Californians • A vision for the elimination of mental health disparities • Key strategies to achieve the vision

8. The Process • Compilation of the recommendations from the population reports • Three levels: systems, provider, and community • Discussed and prioritized by the CRDP partners to determine which should be included and expanded upon in the strategic plan

9. Strategic Plan Components • An executive summary • The Landscape of Mental Health Services • Disparities in Communities of Color and LGBTQ Communities • Community Assets to Eliminate Disparities • Community Actions for Reducing Disparities in Mental Health

10. The Strategic Plan • Since the goal of this project is to challenge and reform the mental health system in California, the majority of the recommendations fall under the Systems Level banner. We hope that these recommendations lead to a shift away from “business as usual” to a system that embraces culture and community as fundamental to reducing mental health disparities. • The importance of this effort cannot be understated. We are attempting to change a system to ensure that it meets the needs of the majority of California. According to the 2010 Census, nearly 60% of Californians are people of color. When you add LGBTQ people to that, as well as uncounted people of color, we are talking about the vast majority of the state. • We ARE NOT talking about minorities.

11. Systems-Level Recommendations • Systems-Level recommendations can be accomplished through high-level policy and will redefine the state’s approach to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services and improve mental health outcomes. These include: • Address and Incorporate Cultural Competence at All Levels • Engage a Culturally Competent Workforce • Increase Opportunities for Co-Location of Services • Establish a Network of Community Healers • Implement Capacity Building at All Levels

12. Systems-Level Recommendations • Develop Resource Guides to Facilitate Access to Services • Engage the Faith Community • Elevate Schools as Centers for Wellness in the Community • Working with Parents and Families to Reduce Disparities • Fund Culturally-Specific Research • Engage Community in the Implementation of the California Reducing Disparities Project

13. Systems-Level Recommendations • Prioritize Prison Re-Entry • Conduct Culturally Competent and Linguistically Appropriate Outreach • Develop Culturally-Specific Models • Collaborate with Existing County Reducing Disparities Efforts • Improve Data Collection Standards at the State Level • Ensure Ancillary Services are Eligible for Reimbursement

14. Provider-Level Recommendations • Provider-level recommendations can be accomplished by service providers who aim to improve the quality and availability of culturally and linguistically competent mental health services. These include: • Ensure Culturally Competent Services • Ensure a Culturally Competent Workforce at the Provider Level • Ensure Linguistic Access to Mental Health Services • Go Beyond Community Engagement

15. Community-Level Recommendations • Community-level recommendations can be accomplished by developing partnerships and leadership among community and family members to reduce stigma and create a better understanding of mental health.These include: • Support Community Involvement and Engagement • Develop and Support Community Leadership

16. Timeline • The strategic plan is in the process of being finalized • We are awaiting approval to release it for a 30-day public comment period • After the public comment period, we will make revisions and resubmit for approval • After approval, we will disseminate the plan through a statewide conference, media, community partners, statewide partners, MHSA partners, and other avenues • We will also be available to make presentations on the strategic plan and the recommendations

17. Additional Information • Office of Health Equity website - http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/OHEMain.aspxContacts • Links to download population reports on the CRDP page

18. Contact us at CPEHN • (510) 832-1160 • rcantu@cpehn.org • www.cpehn.org