ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the emerging role of interprofessional education and collaboration as a way to foster culturally competent practices. There is a growing emphasis in higher education around the importance of developing active citizens. As a result, community-university initiatives that center on civic engagement are becoming increasingly prominent. In order to more effectively address the unique and multifaceted strengths and needs of non-traditional families, such as grandparent-headed families, interprofessional education and collaboration are considered critically important. Greater attention is being given to the potential role that preservice, interprofessional education, and collaboration can play in professional preparation. Interprofessional collaboration may best be presented along a continuum and can be distinguished as the “integration of the knowledge and expertise of professionals to reach a common goal through shared decision-making and practice”. Ecological systems theory serves as an important framework for developing and implementing an interprofessional family-centered program for fostering culturally competent practices.
