Youth with special health care needs and their families bring unique cultural perspectives to service delivery systems. Each youth and family have strength and resiliency as well as needs and challenges.

It is essential that integrated systems of care within states and communities understand and respond effectively to the range of cultural factors that impact health and mental health care access, utilization and outcomes, and extent to which youth and families are satisfied with the services and supports they receive.

The National Center for Cultural Competence is pleased present a series of articles to increase awareness, knowledge and skills in this important aspect of care.