Language Access

Law, policy, and practice: resources and organizations addressing the needs of refugees with limited English skills and the impact of language barriers on refugee health issues.

• Immigrant Health Care and Linguistic Access: Kaiser Commission
  Publications related to linguistic access in health care settings, including legal rights and responsibilities of health care and coverage providers, and how race, immigration status, and language affect insurance coverage and access to care. Attention: Non-MDH link

• Language Access Resources
  Attention: Non-MDH links
  • National Health Law Library
    Browse the numerous folders for seminal documents related to language access.
  • Access Project
    Reports and publications on language services, including the Language Services Action Kit available in English and Spanish.
  • Hablamos Juntos
    Hablamos Juntos is a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation designed to improve communication between health care providers and Latino patients.

• Limited English Proficiency
  Department of Health and Human Services resources on limited English proficiency, including Policy Guidance on the Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination As It Affects Persons with Limited English Proficiency. Attention: Non-MDH link

• Minnesota Statutes on Interpreter Services:
  1. M.S. 256L.03. Covers interpreter services for MnCare.
  2. M.S. 15.441. Requires state agencies to provide interpreters when it renders assistant to the public.
  3. M.S.256B.0625, subd. 18a. Medicaid covers interpreter services.
  4. M.S. 144.058, Interpreter Services Quality Initiative requires the Commissioner of Health to establish a voluntary statewide roster of spoken language health care interpreters.
  Attention: Non-MDH links

• National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
  A description of 14 comprehensive standards to guide individuals and organizations in delivering culturally competent care. Includes final report on CLAS standards. From the Office of Minority Health. Attention: Non-MDH link

• National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
  Working papers on practical strategies to help implement quality interpreter services. Attention: Non-MDH link

• Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Healthcare Organizations
  Office of Minority Health guide designed to help healthcare organizations implement effective language access services to meet the needs of limited English proficient patients. Attention: Non-MDH link

• Program in Translation and Interpreting
  University of Minnesota academic program offering courses in interpreting and translation within a theoretical and practical framework. Attention: Non-MDH link

• Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association
  A chapter of the American Translators Association. UMTIA’s mission is to promote quality and professionalism in the field of translating and interpreting in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Attention: Non-MDH link
  

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For more information on the Refugee Health Program, please call 651-201-5414 (Twin Cities) or 877-676-5414 or use our IDEPC Comment Form.