Training Opportunity:
Cultural Competency Learning Circles 2025

The Connection, in partnership with 4Chi Business Solutions, is recruiting organizations for its 2025 Cultural Competency Learning Circles. This FREE training is a great opportunity for organizations to improve their cultural awareness and sensitivity, build trust and relationships, and better respond to the diverse needs of people from different backgrounds and marginalized communities.

Summary:

Participating agencies select two employees who commit to a year-long learning journey and agree to attend monthly in-person sessions as part of a learning circle cohort. Each cohort will have up to 10 participants, representing up to five different agencies or organizations.

The learning is facilitated by Dr. Pam Her, CEO and owner of 4Chi Business Solutions. Each cohort will meet with Dr. Her for six learning sessions, every other month, for two hours. During the six alternate months, cohort members will meet as a group, for two hours, to discuss their learning, suggested readings and homework assignments.

As part of the journey, participants will:

• Create a personal process in deconstructing lenses that will help shift decision making from intent to impact and drive sustainable changes; and
• Create an action plan for moving your organization forward in cultural competency, and will be eligible for a $3,500 stipend upon completion of the program to contract with Dr. Her to implement pieces of the plan.

FAQs

What is the goal of this training?

The goal of this training is to reduce health disparities and improve health and mental health outcomes for Hmong, Black, and other diverse community members in Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties. This will be achieved by developing a culturally responsive workforce of health and mental health providers who are equipped to meet the unique needs of these communities.

What to expect?

This training offers a reflective space for professionals to explore how personal and social values are shaped by unconscious influences embedded in individual perspectives. It aims to help participants recognize how these influences may contribute to misunderstandings or misalignments between intent and impact. Led by Dr. Pam, the program provides thought-provoking insights and guidance that will enhance both personal and organizational growth. By fostering self-awareness and reflection, participants can improve their ability to deliver high-quality services and resources, better aligned with the diverse needs of patients and clients. This process will also support the ongoing commitment to inclusion, ultimately shaping a more effective and inclusive organizational culture.

Who should attend?

The training is designed for organization/agency leaders and a variety of health, mental health and human service employees, such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists and counselors, emergency care providers, social workers and public health employees. Agencies should select employees who are in leadership positions who have the ability to implement the referral pathways and agency action plans created as part of the process.

Where and when will we meet?

Once participants are assigned to a cohort, the group must agree on a monthly meeting time and date. For example, a cohort could agree to meet from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Typically, one of the participating agencies will offer a meeting space, such as a conference room, for the group to meet at. All meetings will be held in person (no virtual meetings).

How do we sign up?

Contact Wendy Harris, Project Coordinator, at wendy@newmentalhealthconnection.org or 920.252.5927. Wendy can answer questions and help cohort members, once signed up, to coordinate a monthly meeting time and location.