MACC has had the honor and privilege of serving the state of Ohio for the past 20 years.
During that time we have supported hundreds of organizations through thousands of trainings, and tens of thousands of hours, to empower them to create more culturally competent working environments, and offer more equitable service delivery options to their patients, clients, and other stakeholders. MACC has become the statewide leader for cultural competence training and education in the behavioral health sector; and we have expanded our services into the government, criminal justice, higher education, healthcare, nonprofit, business sectors, in response to demand.
Moreover, the increasing social justice issues facing our state and nation have increased the need and request for our services, subject matter expertise, and partnership with several faith-based and civic organizations, also. We support our state and local agencies and administrations through partnerships and consultations. It has been our honor to serve and we look forward to the next 20 years continuing to make impact and support Ohio in becoming a better state for all of its citizens.
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
-
Integrity
-
Trust
-
Authenticity
-
Accountability
-
Honesty
-
Respect
History
The history of Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence, Inc. (MACC) 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. In 2023 MACC established a partnership with Central State University, Mental Health Addiction Advocates Coalition (MHAC) and Ohio University to undertake a statewide data research project focusing on the BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) community. Also in 2023, MACC contracted with Deloitte to provide cultural competence oversight in the development of the Governor’s Wellness Workforce Initiative. 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.
Leadership Team
Our team is forged from various professional backgrounds and experiences that craft our individuation and collective diversity and competence. Having such a broad range of experience brings the diversity of perspective from corporate and small business, nonprofit and social services, military, media, government and finance.
Our Board, under the leadership of Chair Suzanne Coleman Tolbert, represents the multicultural diversity of our state and communities that we serve. These leaders come from various regions of the state and are representative of sectors we serve -- behavioral health, government, healthcare and academia, among others. Our board stands ready as multicultural advocates and advisors as MACC continues to grow and expand.