Mission, Vision & Values

MISSION
To help organizations embrace, achieve, and benefit from diversity and equity.

VISION
Our stakeholders want to sustain their ability to grow and prosper. For this reason, MACC envisions leading Ohio into a future empowered by equity and the endless value it creates. MACC believes discrimination in any form harms people, communities, and economy.

VALUE PROPOSITION
MACC regards as uncompromisable in any way its commitment to

Authenticity
Accountability

Integrity
Trust

Honesty
Respect

About Us

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) is an Ohio nonprofit organization committed to transforming systems through the implementation and sustainment of concepts related to cultural competence. We are a clearinghouse for training, resources, research, best practices, and collaboration.

We define cultural competence as a continuous learning process that builds knowledge, awareness, skills and capacity to identify, understand and respect the unique beliefs, values, customs, languages, abilities and traditions of all Ohioans in order to develop policies to promote effective programs and services.

MACC serves the state of Ohio as a non-profit leader identifying barriers and offering and implementing solutions to health care access, employment, and equity in all sectors.

History

The history of Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC, Inc. ) is tied to concerns with disparities in mental health outcomes of racial and ethnic minorities in the state’s mental health system. In 1984, the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) established the Minority Concerns Committee to look at mental health service utilization of minority populations in Ohio. Throughout the 1980’s the Minority Concerns Committee issued reports and recommendations on service utilization, language on cultural competence to be included in the Mental Health Reform Act of 1988 and held the first Annual Cultural Diversity Mental Health Conference in Ohio.

In 1990, the Multi-Ethnic Mental Health Consortium was established by the Ohio Department of Mental Health. In 2003, the Consortium was formally organized, as the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence, Inc. (MACC) to make cultural competence a cornerstone in Ohio's behavioral health system.

MACC conducted the first ever-statewide mental health needs assessment among eleven racial, ethnic and cultural communities titled, “Learning Your Needs” Cultural Competence Needs Assessment Project 2006; in 2008 the report was updated to include the Somali culture. In late 2010, the organization completed and released their latest report to include the cultures of Veterans and their families.

In 2010 the organization worked with Ohio’s state departments, cultural organizations, consumers, families and others to adopt the first in the nation state cultural competence definition to assist Ohio in moving towards cultural competence in service and care. Since 2010, the organization has expanded its work beyond the behavioral healthcare sector to include organizations and individuals seeking to better understand, work with and serve diverse populations. Through our mission and work, Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) has improved the quality of life for previously underserved populations throughout the state of Ohio and has expanded our efforts nationwide.

Clients & Testimonials

Our clients span the healthcare, higher education, corporate and private sectors. Our training solutions are customized to the unique needs of each organization/company we work with. Our overarching goal is to help move businesses, organizations and communities toward greater cultural competency as they interact with and serve diverse communities. Organizations we have served have provided the following feedback on the value of our services:

"This is a beautiful training! I’m learning so much thank you for this".
"Thank you for a great presentation. Especially found the videos helpful in clarifying certain aspects of the training. Looking forward to more of your trainings. Great time management as well."
"Excellent training. Really valuable and informative. Thank you so much!"
"On behalf of St. Stephen’s Community House I would like to extend my thanks to you and your team for an amazing training. All of the staff that attended the Cultural Competency Sessions found them insightful and knowledgeable…some wished there was more time!"
"The day was very organized and I enjoyed the breakout sessions. Our trainer did a great job and encouraged each of us to make changes to better serve our consumers."
"The cultural community competency workshop provided knowledge of implicit and explicit biases. Understanding we are not necessarily bound by our in our thoughts"
"I definitely learned some great new information"

Our clients include, but are not limited to:

Funders & Partners

Our work is made possible through the generous support of our funders, corporate sponsors and donors. We are grateful for grant support from The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency and The Universal Healthcare Action Network.