A Primer for Developing a Public Agency Service Ethos of Cultural Competency in Public Services Programming and Public Services Delivery

This paper addresses the need for culturally appropriate and culturally effective public programs and public services. The author discusses cultural competency in public services programming and public services delivery and addresses cultural competency concerns in human resources training, education, and service delivery. Examples of best practices in public policymaking and management are provided, and the author discusses what a public agency must do to develop and promote an ethos of community spirit through the use and application of cultural competency. The paper also provides a cultural competency glossary for public agencies.