During this 90-minute webinar, participants will be invited to examine the relationship between self-awareness, knowledge of others, and culturally alert interventions. The facilitators will challenge the participants to recognize the influence of intersecting identities on themselves and their clients and introduce strategies for gaining self and other awareness, including the RESPECT Model and Broaching. The facilitators will also provide participants with strategies to address powerlessness among clients who are marginalized and ways to engage in advocacy.

1. FD Title
https://learn.extension.org/events/3346
All Hands on Deck! Developing Culturally Alert
Communication in Relationships
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2. Connecting military family service providers
and Cooperative Extension professionals to research
and to each other through engaging online learning opportunities
militaryfamilies.extension.org
MFLN Intro
Sign up for webinar email notifications at militaryfamilies.extension.org/webinars2

3. FD Title
https://learn.extension.org/events/3346
All Hands on Deck! Developing Culturally Alert
Communication in Relationships
3

4. Tammi Dice, PhD, HSBCP
•Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education in the Darden College
of Education at Old Dominion University
•President of the National Organization for Human Services
•Research interests include positive youth development, adult
development and learning, multicultural competence and ethical
practices in human services
Today’s Presenters
Tony Dice, MSEd, CSAC
•Doctoral Student at Old Dominion University
•Mental Health Director at EVMS’s Ambulatory Care Center in Norfolk
•Former SEAL in U.S. Navy, Presidential Security Detail Team Lead,
Iraqi Special Forces Instructor
•Research interests include substance abuse, LGBTQAP, and PTSD
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5. • Many factors contribute to making
communication with those culturally different
from you challenging
• Insensitive and inappropriate interactions can
occur, even unintentionally
• However, it is possible to honor other’s culture
and respond sensitively…
https://www.photospin.com/Image/66611fca-b3dd-4684-89b0-9b8d92792dd7
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6. …one is capable of developing the skills to engage in
culturally sensitive communication
 Through self-
awareness (who I am
as a cultural being?)…
 …and knowledge of
other cultures as well
as of broader
systemic influences…
https://www.photospin.com/Image/5cb08697-bbef-40ad-8795-
e31fc7a15104
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7. 7

8.  NOT AN EASY TASK!!!!
 New information/experiences result in
cognitive dissonance: discomfort that
arises from old ways of knowing not
working in the new situation.
 We adapt and thus the self-concept
changes.
 This is good! Necessary for growth and
development
https://pixabay.com/en/baby-todler-boy-child-crying-
2791786/
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9. Intersectionality
[in-ter-sek-shuh-nal-i-tee]
n. “treating factors of
identity as
interconnected”
(Garcia, 2015)
Religious/
Spiritual
Identity
Economic
Background
Ethnic/
Racial
Identity
Sexual
Identity
Age
Ability/
Disability
Geography
Language
(Neukrug, 2014)
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10.  Identities exist simultaneously (i.e. gender and ethnicity and class, etc.) and are
intertwined (e.g. have an impact in everyday life)
 Most have a combo of marginalized and privileged intersecting identities- BOTH
important to consider!
 Multiple marginalized intersecting identities can contribute to even greater
challenges/obstacles (e.g. black, poor, and gay)
(Mens-Verhulst & Radtke, 2008)
https://pixabay.com/en/fabric-texture-color-pattern-2642229/
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11. Justin is a 32 year old white male who is a double amputee living on
disability pay. He is currently living with his parents in a basement
apartment. He identifies as gay and self-discloses that he is having a
very difficult time partnering. He has come to you because he feels
depressed and lonely.
What cultural factors need to be considered in order for you to best
help him?
What are Justin’s intersecting identities? What other cultural
identities would you like to know about him?
How would taking these identities into consideration shape your
interventions?
How might your interventions differ if Justin were wealthy? Black?
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12.  By acknowledging the
challenges of holding
marginalized identities
 We stop subscribing to
the Myth of Meritocracy
 Which helps us to avoid
engaging in intentional and
unintentional discrimination
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13. • Understand your own multi-faceted identity
• The more self-understanding you have, the more
comfortable you will be interacting with diverse others
• Assist Clients in exploring their identities
• Encourage and validate discussion of feelings related to
identity
• Make room for strong emotions
• Allow strong emotions to fuel learning
(Sue, 2016)
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14. What
about you?
Take a
moment to
note your
areas of
advantage
and
disadvantage
ACTIVITY
Refer to identities slide
Label how you identify yourself
Note where identities fall on the axes
Consider your experiences resulting
from this combination of identities
Consider experiences of others with
differing identities
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15. OPPRESSION/MARGINALIZATION
Sexism
LGBTQPA
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16. R = Religious/Spiritual Identity
E = Economic Class Background
S = Sexual Identity
P = Psychological Maturity
E = Ethnic/Racial Identity
C = Chronological/Developmental Challenges
T = Trauma/Threats to One’s Wellbeing
F = Family Background/History
U = Unique Physical Characteristics
L = Location of Residence and Language Differences
D’Andrea & Daniels, 2001 16

17.  As a human services professional, you must break the silence about
the enormity of intersections
 Focus on individual strengths
 Focus on empowerment
 Help individual to accept their realities
 Help individual reframe the situation (e.g., “We live in a sick
society.”)
 Help client resist internalization of negative behaviors and
attitudes
(Mens-Verhulst & Radtke, 2008)
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18. 18

19. What is it?
https://www.photospin.com/Image/7e869b6d-d7be-4346-8c04-a373d29eb5c9
https://www.photospin.com/Image/44915c57-d353-488a-b11d-ac5586b460a7https://pixabay.com/en/people-girls-women-students-2557396/
https://www.photospin.com/Image/ac454e3d-6171-4a36-96b2-96d2acaa7f5f
https://www.photospin.com/Image/1e7b3b49-e472-4b96-b714-d8a08ef06fd1
https://www.photospin.com/Image/3a175ce7-f029-420b-a42e-466673cbf271
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20. • Not easy...but valuable!
• Helps to clarify how an individual identifies
• Helps to clarify communication norms
• Helps to establish authentic relationship
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21. https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-beard-beverage-blur-590516/
 Ask questions! (Don’t assume)
 Be sensitive! (Not aggressive)
 Respond empathically!
 Store information and use to help build the relationship.
Now let’s BROACH…
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22. Practice
makes
perfect!
Just because
it feels
awkward
doesn’t mean
it’s not
important!
ACTIVITY
Refer to Broaching slide
Consider statements you would
feel comfortable using
Observe demonstration
Recognize the need to PRACTICE!
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23. 23

24. • Considering individual, shared and, cultural
specific traits
• Considering role of oppression
• Taking time to connect
• Not assuming something is wrong because it’s
different
• Respecting communication styles that vary
from culture to culture
• Broaching cultural differences
• Empowering and Advocating
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25. “Active support of something,
such as a cause.”
(Brown & Trusty, 2005;The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th
ed., 2000)
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26. Societal Level
• State and
National
• Societal issues
(oppression)
Community Level
• School
• Neighborhood
• Workplace
Family Level
• Children
• Elderly
• The abused
https://pixabay.com/en/volunteer-hands-help-colors-2055010/
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27. • Altruistic
motivation
• Willing to take
risks
• Autonomous
Thinking
• Stick-to-it Attitude
• Leadership
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martin_Luther_King_Jr_NYWTS.jpg
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28. What to Know
• Systems Theory
• Policies and Laws
• Resources (People, Programs, Agencies, Associations)
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29. • Identify the issue
• Prepare a team
• Articulate goals
• Target areas of
influence
• Choose strategies
• Create a plan
• Design
infrastructure
• Evaluate
https://www.photospin.com/Image/6ef574f1-95de-4722-9614-3fc06e86aafb
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30. “Developing an awareness for life beyond
your immediate surroundings brings a
healthy restlessness which, if infused with
peace and used well, can be a foundation for
positive change in the world.”
~Dadi Janki
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Janki_Dadi.jpg
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31. Connect with MFLN Family Development Online!
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32. Evaluation and
Continuing Education Credits
MFLN Family Development is offering 1.5 CEUs for
today’s webinar.
Please complete the evaluation and post test at:
https://vte.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yFld6FmLFyOvRz
Must pass post-test with an 80% or higher to receive
certificate.
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33. Family Development
Upcoming Event
Family Finances Series: Separation &
Single Parenting in the Military
• Tuesday, July 10th
• 11:00 AM Eastern
• https://learn.extension.org/events/3305
For more information on MFLN Family Development, go to:
https://militaryfamilies.extension.org/family-development/
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34. militaryfamilies.extension.org/webinars