Home > Promising Practices > The Cultural Exchange Program

The Cultural Exchange Program

A Good Idea

Description

Florida's West Palm Beach is experiencing a significant shift in demographics from a county that was historically White to one that is increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse. The Federation of Families of West Palm Beach County saw the need to respond to these demographic changes and to create an environment of cultural understanding among its families, youth and children as well as service providers. In order to do this, the Federation decided to organize a local Cultural Exchange Program, consisting of a series of evening public discussions on diverse topics, to be held once every two months at the West Palm Beach Public Library.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to foster cultural understanding among the communities of West Palm Beach.

Results / Accomplishments

The increase in the number of family and provider participants - from 28 to 45 in six months- shows the cultural exchange program is having a positive impact. The forums offer an environment that is inclusive and safe to explore similarities and differences across cultures, and bridge the cultural divide that often separate people and communities.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The Federation of Families of West Palm Beach County
Primary Contact
Kanu Sheth
Federation of Families (FOF) of Palm Beach County, Inc.
333 Avenue I
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
(561) 863-9848
fofopbc@bellsouth.net
http://www.ffcmh.org/
Topics
Community / Civic Engagement
Organization(s)
The Federation of Families of West Palm Beach County
Source
National Center for Cultural Competence, Georgetown University
Date of publication
2005
Date of implementation
1/21/2004
Location
Palm Beach County, FL
For more details
http://nccc.georgetown.edu/documents/West%20Palm%2...

Related Promising Practices

  1. Reducing Health Disparities: Diversity and Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Contra Costa
  2. The Medical University of South Carolina Psychiatry Residency Diversity Program
  3. Best Practices of Mayors and Their City Governments in Promoting Tolerance and Respect for Diversity
  4. Partners in Healing

More

Related Content for: The Cultural Exchange Program

A Good Idea meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program funding source, program implementation steps and outcomes.
  2. The program evaluation is limited to descriptive measure(s) of success/accomplishment (i.e., program participation rates, number of services/education sessions/radio messages provided). Note: oftentimes, the program has been newly implemented and a program evaluation has not yet been conducted. Programs that have not yet been evaluated, but which show promise in improving health or quality of life, are classified as Good Ideas until an evaluation is conducted.
MiCalhoun