Planning Programs to
Break Down Cultural
Barriers
Dallas L. Holmes, USU Extension
Adapted from an article by Lisa A. Guion and Nicole
Walker, Florida State University Cooperative
Extension, 2005.
Programs to Break Down Barriers
 It
is important to remember that all
categorizations of traditions,
communication styles and learning
styles within a community are
generalizations.
 Everyone,
in every culture, is unique
in their perspective on the world.
Programs to Break Down Barriers
 The
most effective and accurate way
to understand an individual, group or
family, is to hear it from them
directly.
 Cultural
Guides help to facilitate this
interaction by bridging the chasm
between the two cultures.
Programs that Break Down Barriers
 Extension
Family Life Specialist,
Linda Skogrand conducted research
to understand what cultural
underpinnings were present in strong
Latino marriages.
Linda Skogrand
Family Life Specialist
“I worked with two Catholic priests and two
Latino community leaders to help recruit
couples.
It was absolutely necessary for someone who
is trusted by the Latino community to make
the referral and connection to the couples.
In each case the priest or community leader
contacted the couple who they felt had a
strong marriage and I made the follow up
phone call to set up the interview.”
Linda Skogrand
Family Life Specialist
“The things that were essential in making this
work was working with Latino leaders or
others who work with the Latino population
to recruit the couples. In fact, more than once
we called the couple and if we did not use the
name of the person who had contacted them
on our behalf in the first sentence, the
person would hang up the phone. The lack of
trust on the part of people in the Latino culture is
great, probably having to do with documentation
issues. It is essential to work with someone who
is trusted or you will get nowhere.”
Getting Beyond Cultural Barriers

“How can I get
beyond cultural
barriers in order to
develop real crosscultural
connections?”
Getting Beyond Cultural Barriers
 In
order to be of use to any
community, Extension educators
must first value and respect the
community.
– Community service
– Language or Education Centers
– Show the community that you are
genuine in your interest to help them.
Getting Beyond Cultural Barriers
 Culturally
Sensitive Language
– How does the person prefer to be
named?
 African
American vs. Jamaican
 Oriental vs. Asian
 Latino vs. Hispanic
–Just Ask!
– Avoid insensitive names and phrases
 “You
People”
Twelve Strategies for finding
common ground
1.
2.
Develop programs to
address the “reallife, felt or expressed
needs” of the
community.
Offer programs in
familiar
surroundings:
neighborhood
churches, schools,
etc.
3.
4.
5.
Meet in a location
serviced by public
transportation
systems.
Take childcare needs
into account when
planning Extension
services.
Offer culturally
appropriate prizes or
refreshments.
Twelve Strategies for finding
common ground
6.
7.
Take cultural holidays
and community
gatherings into
consideration so that
your programs do
not conflict.
Dress appropriately
and respectfully for
the cultural group
you are serving.
8.
9.
10.
Select visuals that
reflect the cultural
and ethnic identity of
the community.
Use materials written
at an appropriate
level and in the
appropriate language.
Use examples that
are relevant and
meaningful to the
community.
Twelve Strategies for finding
common ground
11.
12.
Involve Cultural
Guides and
diverse volunteers
in program design
and
implementation.
Identify and use
the appropriate
teaching style to
address preferred
learning styles.
Planning Programs to Break Down
Cultural Barriers
 In
order to build trust with diverse
audiences, there needs to be a
foundation of trust, respect,
understanding and interaction in
place.
 Using Cultural Guides and planning
culturally-appropriate activities and
programs helps cement that
foundation in place.
Suggested Reading
 Guion,
L. A., Goddard, H.W.,
Broadwater, G., Chattaraj, S., &
Sullivan-Lytle, S. (2003).
Strengthening programs to reach
diverse audiences. Gainesville, FL:
Florida Cooperative Extension,
University of Florida. Available at
http://fycs-diversity.ifas.ufl.edu