Education, Awareness and Technical Assistanc
MLI assists organizations, agencies, institutions, and communities to conduct assessments and to identify multi-level needs, challenges, and assets associated with providing culturally proficient services and programs. Based on the organizational assessment, recommendations are made regarding program modifications, policy revisions or development, staff training needs and so forth. Consultation and technical assistance is offered as needed and appropriate, and is custom-tailored to meet each organization's or community's specific needs.

Information Clearinghouse
MLI collects and disseminates resources and facilitates discussions on a wide range of topics affecting populations across the spectrum of diversity with a particular focus on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse (ATODA) and co-occurring disorders prevention, treatment and recovery issues, evidence or research-based, successful and promising model programs, topics regarding multiculturalism and diversity in public health and medicine, cultural traditions, and relevant tools, instruments, and policies. The Institute also maintains a technological information system that includes local, statewide, regional, and national multicultural and diversity resources.

Community Development
& Capacity Building
MLI provides assistance with developing and supporting the capacity of agencies, institutions, local communities and state systems to provide culturally appropriate information, and prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In the past, MLI has also provided funding in the form of mini-grants and/or guidance for local, community-based, culturally appropriate substance abuse prevention programs that lead to increased community involvement, competency and skill development for the participants.

Advocacy
MLI educates individuals and communities regarding multicultural and diversity issues and concerns of individuals, families, and communities. MLI's advocacy efforts address the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to: age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability/disability and persons of color such as those of African Origin, Latino, Asian, and Native American peoples. . MLI also participates on local, regional, and statewide boards and committees, and participates in community events. We act as a voice for multicultural inclusion, discourage prejudice and discrimination, forward and understanding of the relationships of privilege and power, and further respect for multiple aspects of diversity within various systems, services, institutions and workplaces.

Workforce Development
MLI currently manages the state-funded Project for Addictions Cultural Competency Project, also known as PACCT, in conjunction with the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA). PACCT was modeled and expanded from a federal program which was designed to meet the shortage of addictions counselors, particularly from underserved and under-represented populations. The program encourages students of color to apply and participate in an accelerated training to initiate a career in addictions counseling work. PACCT ultimately assists in addressing and eliminating health disparities in high substance use and abuse rates amongst underserved populations by diversifying and preparing our behavioral health care workforce.

Data Collection & Research
(See also “Information Clearinghouse”) MLI collects, interprets and, disseminates research and evidence-based resources and information on a wide range of multicultural and diversity topics. At the programmatic level, MLI conducts organizational needs assessments and survey instruments, and advocates for and facilitates multicultural inclusion in statewide research and assessment efforts. We invite interested and experienced researchers to contact MLI about ideas for engaging in community or state level scientific research much needed and understudied diversity and multiculturalism issues.