Cultural Competence is the practice of “embrac[ing] the principles of equal access and non-discriminatory practices in service delivery.” Cultural competence does not require a practitioner to be an expert in every culture they encounter. It is simply the ability to adapt your individual practice to culturally diverse situations, rejecting cultural assumptions or stereotypes, and recognizing the way that different cultures may impact the delivery of services. Cultural competence has been integrated in the health care context for many years, “recognized as a critical component of effective health care practice.” In the context of legal services, cultural competence serves as an important tool to enhance the quality of legal representation and fulfill the ethical obligations attorney have towards their clients. Cultural competence is especially important when serving clients that are victims of elder mistreatment. Ensuring that cultural considerations do not impede representation protects victims and ensures that clients receive the best legal outcomes possible.
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