Cultural and linguistic competence has proven effective as one means of reducing health disparities among ethnic and minority patients. Measuring cultural and linguistic competence, however, can be difficult without appropriate tools. The following assessment tools can assist practitioners and health care organizations as they evaluate the service and care they provide to these groups at different levels.

To support health care organizations in their efforts to improve access and utilization, enhance the quality of services within diverse and underserved communities, and promote cultural and linguistic competence, the National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) has developed The Cultural and Linguistic Competence Policy Assessment and Guide. These resources outline the process for conducting an organizational self-assessment of cultural and linguistic competence and next steps in using assessment results for strategic planning and organizational change. To access the materials, visit http://www.clcpa.info or the NCCC's website at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/nccc.

The process of cultural and linguistic competence assessment can benefit health practitioners by heightening their awareness of cultural and linguistic issues, influencing attitudes toward practice, and motivating the development of knowledge and skills that will ultimately reduce disparities in care. In addition to The Cultural and Linguistic Competence Policy Assessment and Guide that assesses organizational capacity, the NCCC has also developed an instrument measuring cultural and linguistic competence at the individual level. The Cultural and Linguistic Competence Health Practitioner Assessment assumes that cultural competence is a developmental process, that practitioners can enhance their awareness, knowledge, and skills over time, and that untapped cultural strengths often already exist within individuals and organizations. Using six subscales, this assessment tool suggests best and promising practices in the delivery of health care and related services. To access the materials, visit https://www4.georgetown.edu/uis/keybridge/keyform/form.cfm?formID=277 or the NCCC's website at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/nccc.