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  • Home
  • Data, Statistics, and Legislation
  • Diseases and Conditions
  • Health Care Facilities, Providers, and Insurance
  • Healthy Communities, Environment, and Workplaces
  • Individual and Family Health
  • About Us
  • News and Announcements
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  1. Home
  2. Individual and Family Health
  3. WIC Program
  4. WIC Local Agencies
Topic Menu

WIC Program

  • Apply for WIC
  • WIC Home
  • Welcome to WIC!
  • Shopping Help
  • Local Agencies
  • Vendors
  • Health Care Providers
  • Reports & Data

Directories

  • WIC Agency Directory
  • WIC Grocery Store Search

Other Languages

  • Información en Español
  • Af Soomaali

Follow WIC

  • Minnesota WIC on Facebook
  • Minnesota WIC on Instagram

WIC Program

  • Apply for WIC
  • WIC Home
  • Welcome to WIC!
  • Shopping Help
  • Local Agencies
  • Vendors
  • Health Care Providers
  • Reports & Data

Directories

  • WIC Agency Directory
  • WIC Grocery Store Search

Other Languages

  • Información en Español
  • Af Soomaali

Follow WIC

  • Minnesota WIC on Facebook
  • Minnesota WIC on Instagram
Contact Info
Minnesota WIC Program
651-201-4444
800-657-3942 (toll-free)

Contact Info

Minnesota WIC Program
651-201-4444
800-657-3942 (toll-free)

Interpreters


On this page: Working with Interpreters | Finding an Interpreter | Video Interpretation Service | Language Line Tools


Interpreters must be offered for all contacts with participants with Limited English Proficiency.

Working with Interpreters

Training: Working with Language Interpreters Module (Script - PDF)

  • This training module includes information on:
  • When to use an interpreter.
  • The roles of an interpreter.
  • Tips for effectively working with an interpreter.

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Finding an interpreter

  • Find an interpreter through a local interpreter agency; the local agency is responsible for that cost.
  • Search the listing on the MDH website Interpreter Roster: Spoken Language, Health Care. Interpreters on this MDH roster vary in their qualifications. Minnesota does not offer or require certification for health care interpreters, but some may have national certification. Use the 2nd drop down box for “Less common languages in Minnesota” under the “Select a Language” section to find Dari and Pashto
  • Use an over the phone or video interpretation services through LanguageLine

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Video Interpretation Service

Guidance on Using LanguageLine Video Application (PDF)

For 24/7 LanguageLine-InSight Application Technical Support call 1-844-373-1951.

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LanguageLine Tools

Over-the-Phone Interpretation Appointment Procedure (PDF)

How to schedule an over the phone interpreter through LanguageLine in advance to ensure that participants have equal access to services.

NOTE: Cancel pre-scheduled interpreter reservations 24 hours before the appointment to avoid a charge. Appointments missed or canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be subject to a $50 missed appointment fee. This fee is paid by MDH.

11 Helpful Tips for Working with an Over-the-Phone Interpreter (PDF)

Language Identification Guide (PDF)
An in-language guide that states, “Point to your language. An interpreter will be called. The interpreter is provided at no cost to you.”

LanguageLine Language List (PDF)
Complete listing for staff.

Voice of the Customer (PDF)
How to file a complaint, compliment, or question with LanguageLine.

Examples of when to file a complaint:

  • Wait time longer than three minutes. Any wait time longer than 3 minutes should be reported to Voice of the Customer, especially requests for Spanish and other more common languages. Keep in mind that if you are on hold for over two minutes, an announcement should still play that they are still looking for an interpreter. If not, the call was probably dropped, so please hang up and dial again.
  • Dropped calls during interpretation session.
  • Background noise at the interpreter’s house.

Order Support Materials through LanguageLine.

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Tags
  • wic
Last Updated: 12/13/2022

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