Evaluating the Impact of Cultural Competency Trainings from the Perspective of People in Recovery

Many behavioral health providers are now being trained in cultural competence but still little is known about the impact of these trainings on persons-in-recovery. This study reports on the evaluation of a state wide cultural competency (CC) training for behavioral health providers. A sample of persons-in-recovery receiving services from trainees were asked how important cultural factors were in their treatment and rehabilitation and to what extent their providers were culturally competent. Most persons-in-recovery reported that their providers were culturally competent, but the majority did not prioritize cultural factors in their treatment. The article discusses the complex relationship between culture and satisfaction with services and the need to explore further the person-in-recovery understanding of culture in the context of their mental health.