Capacity for Delivering Culturally Competent Mental Health Services in New Mexico: Results of a Statewide Agency Survey

Abstract

The Federal government has promoted National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) to reduce mental health disparities among Hispanic and Native American populations. In 2005, the State of New Mexico embarked upon a comprehensive reform of its behavioral health system with an emphasis on improving cultural competency. Using survey methods, we examine which language access services (i.e., capacity for bilingual care, interpretation, and translated written materials) and organizational supports (i.e., training, self-assessments of cultural competency, and collection of cultural data) mental health agencies in New Mexico had at the onset of a public sector mental health reform (Office of Minority Health, 2001).

Lost in the Rush to National Reform: Recommendations to Improve Impact on Behavioral Health Providers in Rural Areas

“…14,19–20 Two statewide surveys were also conducted with the directors of behavioral health agencies. 21–22 The second study comprised a short-term evaluation of a health home program for youth with serious emotional disturbances. This study was based on individual interviews and focus groups with persons either involved in or affected by implementation, and an analysis of administrative data to assess client outcomes.…”

Workforce capacity for reducing rural disparities in public mental health services for adults with severe mental illness.

“…A statewide telephone survey of PFMHAs was conducted between August 2006 and January 2007 as part of a 5-year, multi-method study of the impact of a major mental health reform on access to and quality of care for adults with SMI (Semansky, Hodgkin, & Willging, 2011; Semansky et al, 2009). Our survey focused on PFMHAs since they provide the majority of mental health care in rural areas.…”

“…Our survey focused on PFMHAs since they provide the majority of mental health care in rural areas. The development of the PFMHA sample is described elsewhere (Semansky et al, 2009). For the purpose of the study, PFMHAs were defined as agencies: 1) serving adults with SMI; 2) accepting Medicaid or state-funded indigent dollars; and 3) comprising a group practice or agency.…”

Preparing for a Public Sector Mental Health Reform in New Mexico: The Experience of Agencies Serving Adults with Serious Mental Illness

“…The 55-item survey asked about organizational characteristics, staffing patterns, administrative issues, financial issues, clinical care and perceptions of reform. This survey is one component of a 5-year, multi-method assessment that also employs ethnographic methods and secondary analysis to evaluate how reform affects access and quality of care for adults with SMI (Semansky et al, 2009; Willging, et al, 2008). …”

“…Further information regarding survey development is available in a separate article (Semansky, et al, 2009). The PIRE Review Board approved the study.…”