Delivering Culturally Responsive Behavioral Health Services to American Indians & Alaska Natives

CE Course Description

American Indians and Alaska Natives have consistently experienced disparities in access to behavioral healthcare services, and availability and accessibility of such services continue to be major barriers to recovery for these populations.  The purpose of this intermediate level continuing education course, developed using information from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is to illustrate strategies for facilitating American Indian and Alaska Native individuals’ access to and engagement in behavioral health services and to outline promising practices for providers to apply in working with American Indians and Alaska Natives.  In addition, several vignettes are presented that demonstrate specific knowledge and clinical skills necessary for providing effective counseling to American Indians and Alaska Natives across behavioral health settings.

Author: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

CE Course Description

1. Summarize American Indian and Alaska Native history, historical trauma, and critical cultural perspectives on such key topics as health beliefs and help-seeking behaviors.
2. Outline American Indian and Alaska Native demographics, social challenges, and behavioral health issues.
3. Identify how and to what extent a client’s cultural background affects his or her behavioral health needs and concerns.
4. Discuss strategies to expand providers’ cultural awareness, competence and culture-specific knowledge.
5. Evaluate specific treatment interventions, including traditional American Indian and Alaska Native interventions and cultural adaptations of standard treatment and prevention strategies.
6. Review practical vignettes that demonstrate client’s concerns and treatment needs as well as specific knowledge and clinical skills necessary for providing effective interventions.
7. Analyze practical suggestions and guidance for key stages in the provider–client relationship.

CE Course Outline

1. Executive Summary (30 minutes)
2. Part 1: Practical Guide to the Provision of Behavioral Health Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (450 minutes)
   1. Chapter 1: Working with and Providing Culturally Responsive Services to American Indian and Alaska Native Clients (210 minutes)
   2. Chapter 2: Case Vignettes (210 minutes)
      1. Overview of Case Vignettes (10 minutes)
      2. Case Vignette 1: Vicki (45 minutes)
      3. Case Vignette 2: Joe (45 minutes)
      4. Case Vignette 3: Marlene (55 minutes)
      5. Case Vignette 4: Philip (55 minutes)

Total Time: 480 minutes (8 hours)
Course Level: Introductory