ServicesCulturally Competent ServicesCommunity based licensed health care professionals who provide bereavement counseling come from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, including African-American, Haitian, Latino, Portuguese, West Indian and Cape Verdean. Center staff train nurses who are fluent in Spanish, Haitian, French Creole, Portuguese and French. The Center conducts a two-day initial training program and an annual update program to prepare these professionals to provide bereavement support. Training programs include information on cultural awareness and sensitivity as well as cultural beliefs regarding death, dying and bereavement. Appropriate bereavement follow-up is enhanced with the assistance of qualified interpreters. |
