Culturally safe intake: reduce harm in first contact

Summary

Intake is where many pathways lose people. This toolkit focuses on language, consent, confidentiality, and workflow changes that reduce harm, especially for Black, Indigenous, other racialized and marginalized populations.

What to change (starter list)

• Explain confidentiality clearly and early, and name limits in plain language.
• Offer choice: modality, timing, language, and cultural matching where possible.
• Reduce repetitive retelling: warm handoffs and shared notes with consent.
• Build a feedback and repair pathway when harm happens.