Aboriginal Mental Health Cultural Competency Intervention Programs
– A Summary of Services

IPS has been at the forefront of research and development into effective practice in Aboriginal mental health since its inception. The foundation of which has been the award winning research of the IPS Managing Director, Dr Tracy Westerman. Since the completion of this foundation research in 2002, IPS has focused on the ongoing validation of a suite of Aboriginal mental health specific products and services which in combination provide comprehensive Cultural Intervention Programs for Organisations which operate as stand alone services/products or as Comprehensive Organisational Cultural Intervention Program. The entire range of products and services are described more fully in this brochure, but in summary include:

1. ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION: Determining Individual and Organisational Aboriginal Mental Health Cultural Competencies - the Aboriginal Mental Health Cultural Competency Test (CCT: Westerman, 2003, 2010 in preparation)

The CCT is the only tool in Australia that has established its cultural and scientific validity in being able to determine the predictors of Aboriginal mental health cultural competencies. It is commonly used as follows:

Step 1: Individuals complete the CCT to establish a baseline of cultural competencies,

Step 2: Organisational Cultural Competencies’ are then determined. The organisation is then provided with a detailed report and recommendations to improve cultural competencies across the service as a whole.

Step 3: A tailored Cultural Intervention Program is then able to be delivered from the range of programs available which are detailed in sections 2-4, below and in this brochure.

Step 4: Re-Evaluation of Organisational and Individual Cultural Competencies. Individuals receive a second report which compares their initial CCT to their post-intervention CCT. Organisations are also provided with a thorough report which details pre and post-intervention cultural competencies with specific analysis on the implications of the results. Reports also include recommendations for future organisational development.

2. CULTURAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: Targeted Training Intervention

IPS is without peer when it comes to Aboriginal mental health training delivery Australia wide. On average IPS trains over 988 individuals across every state of Australia each year. A total of 8,895 individuals have attended an IPS workshop since 2001. IPS is able to develop, deliver and evaluate targeted training programs in which baseline organisational cultural competencies are determined; a training intervention program developed and delivered and a re-evaluation of competencies occurs. IPS is the only organisation in Australia who have successfully developed, delivered and evaluated such programs (see more details in this brochure).

3. CULTURAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: Review and Development of Aboriginal specific mental health client policies, procedures and proformas

IPS has developed the only known Aboriginal specific client policies and procedures specifically for use in the mental health / social and emotional wellbeing field. These policies enable organizations to work within ’best practice’ guidelines both clinically and culturally. This provides a ‘blueprint’ for cultural competency which ensures that best cultural practice is the business of the WHOLE organisation.

4. CULTURAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: Cultural Audit of Programs, Psychological Testing and Assessment Protocols

IPS conducts cultural reviews of programs being delivered to Aboriginal organizations which includes guidance regarding changes to existing content as well as process of delivery. IPS has provided numerous reviews of programs for their cultural appropriateness for many national and state based organizations. For an overview of reviews conducted please refer to:
http://www.indigenouspsychservices.com.au/viewStory/Research%2C+Consultancy+and+Evaluation.
IPS has also developed a significant number of Aboriginal specific psychometric tests and assessments, stemming from the PhD research of Westerman (2003). This service includes reviewing psychological assessment processes and protocols as well as the provision of guidelines regarding the culturally fair assessment of Aboriginal clients.

5. CULTURAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: Review and development of Aboriginal Mental Health Service Delivery Models

IPS has arguably conducted more Aboriginal specific mental health intervention programs Australia wide than any organisation in Australia. To date, well over 2,000 Aboriginal people have attended an IPS Mental Health Intervention Program. These programs have involved 15 discrete rural and remote Aboriginal communities across four states of Australia (WA, NT, WA and NSW). For further information on IPS’ very successful programs click here. IPS conducts evaluation of all intervention programs it provides which has resulted in a substantial evidence base regarding effective models of engagement, service delivery and importantly governance. In addition IPS has conducted a number of Aboriginal mental health service delivery reviews of major organisations who are either (1) wishing to commence an Aboriginal mental health program, or (2) wish to improve on current levels of access to their service by Aboriginal clients.

If you would like further information on what IPS provides as part of its Cultural Competency Programs click here to download the brochure.