Challenges of Providing Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services: Perspectives of Early Intervention Professionals in a Northeastern Metropolitan City

Because of the recent demographic changes, early intervention (EI) professionals are more likely to interact with increasing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children and families. A challenge in providing effective EI services is the lack of personnel from CLD backgrounds and lack of knowledge, understanding, and sensitivity to cultural and linguistic diversity in the existing personnel serving young children and families from CLD backgrounds. This study examined challenges and barriers to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Professionals working directly with families of young children in EI programs in a northeastern metropolitan city were recruited to participate in a survey to share their perspectives and experiences regarding working with CLD families. Respondents described the nature of barriers and the strategies they used to provide effective services. It appears that professionals need multidimensional institutional support to provide effective and quality early intervention services to CLD families.