Cultural Competence Consultation

GEARS provides consultation to organizations seeking to establish cultural competence in its programs and services and among its staff. Our services include conducting organizational cultural needs assessments, developing cultural competence training programs and activities, and evaluating the efficacy of cultural competency initiatives. GEARS works closely with clients in designing cultural competence services ensuring that activities designed are effectively integrated into organizational operations and culture. In approaching its work in cross cultural relations, GEARS uses the Ethnic Validity Model (EVM), developed by GEARS’ Vice-President, Dr. Deborah Brome, and her colleagues, as a central framework. A key tenet of this model is that individuals enter an organization with a personal framework from which to view culture and others who are different from themselves. In order to promote cultural competence and diversity within organizations, EVM starts its intervention by examining the different ways in which individuals understand and view multiculturalism and heterogeneity of our society.