| Abstract: Given the critical nature of behavioral intervention and its growing application across populations and countries, training behavior analysts in culturally competent practice is an ethical imperative. Culturally competent behavior analysts: 1) understand that their own cultural conditioning affects personal beliefs, values, and attitudes; 2) know their ethical responsibility to be knowledgeable about the world views of individuals and groups of differing cultures; and 3) build skills in using culturally appropriate communication, assessment, and intervention. Although the topic of culturally competent services has circulated for a while, anecdotal data demonstrate that professionals in our field report their initial or ongoing training has been inadequate to achieve these required practice standards. Currently, there exist few research-based resources of self-measurement and skill building with respect to culturally competent services. This panel discussion will explore culture competency and include data from a needs assessment of Board Certified Behavior Analysts. From this discussion we aim to better define the current state of culturally competent practice and outline what training, continuing education, and/or practice frameworks would support behavioral intervention across cultures. This is an initial step toward a larger discussion about what tools and strategies are required for culturally competent practice. |