We’re Building an Ohio Where No One Is Left Behind.

Everyone deserves care that sees them—care that respects who they are, where they come from, and what they need to thrive.

How We Help

For Organizations

Gain the confidence to serve diverse communities well—through customized trainings and cultural climate audits.

For Communities

Find a clearer path forward for yourself and your neighbors—through community conversations and summits.

Ohio Navigator

Connect to the mental health or addiction care you need—through trusted guides trained to meet you where you are.

Why Ohio Trusts MACC

Why Ohio Trusts the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC)

23 Years of Building Understanding

23 Years of Building Understanding

​When you work with MACC, you’re working with the organization that helped define cultural competence for the entire state of Ohio.

It started with a simple question: Why weren’t Ohio’s mental health services reaching everyone who needed them? In 1984, the Ohio Department of Mental Health began looking for answers. What they found led to decades of work—and eventually, to MACC.

In 2010, we partnered with state departments, cultural organizations, and community members to create the nation’s first official state definition of cultural competence. That definition still guides Ohio’s approach today.

This isn’t new work for us. It’s 23 years of showing up, training thousands of professionals, and bringing communities together. That experience is behind every training delivered and every conversation facilitated.

What the Community Says

“I found this information to be extremely helpful. Each speaker resonated with me. This event was a good mix of perspectives, especially hearing from someone with lived experience. I want to share more about this program with my friends and family.”

— Event Participant

As Seen In:

What is Cultural Competence?

Cultural competence is 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—so we can develop policies and programs that actually serve everyone.**

Put simply: It’s the lifelong work of honoring every person’s culture to make Ohio a more respectful and healthy place for everyone.

**This is the official State of Ohio definition, which MACC helped create.

What Makes MACC Different

FREE Training for Behavioral Health Organizations

Many cultural competence trainings come with a hefty price tag. But cost shouldn’t be a barrier to better care. That’s why MACC offers free training to organizations across Ohio.

Created By Ohio, For Ohio

MACC wasn’t founded by outsiders looking in. Our organization grew directly out of the Ohio Department of Mental Health’s own efforts to understand and address disparities.

Rooted in Community

Holding summits for aging adults worried about medication safety. Creating safe spaces for immigrant and refugee communities to share their experiences. Training professionals who now serve your neighbors, your family, and your community.

When you work with MACC, you’re working with people who’ve
been doing this work on the ground for over 20 years.