Finally, service providers must become familiar with the dialect in use within any given community. Spanish-translated materials for a Mexican American community may not be appropriate for a Puerto Rican community. Finding someone to help you review the translated material may prevent miscommunication and misunderstanding between you and the families with whom you work. Service providers may find that a publication has strong points but that it needs to be adapted in some ways to make it more useful. You can also develop companion brochures or guides to help parents apply concepts presented in a publication to their own situation.
Flyers listing related local resources or explaining terms or jargon are also useful.
Service providers who develop intercultural competence and collect information on available culturally and linguistically appropriate materials that can be used with families in their community are more likely to be successful in their work with families than service providers or teachers who do not do so. Careful review of materials before using them with a family is essential. No single resource can address all of a family's needs, but, in many cases, materials can be adapted to make them more useful. Children's Defense Fund. Teachers College Press.