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Minority Health Resources for Language Access

Spotlight

National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Final National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care.

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Minority Health Program's CLAS page for resources and more.

Language Access Plan: The HHS 2013 Language Access Plan (HHS LAP) ensures access to HHS programs and activities to people with limited English proficiency (LEP).

California Healthcare Interpreting Association

Health Information Translations This organization provides education resources in multiple languages for health care professionals and others to use in their communities. Resources are easy to read and culturally appropriate.

Hmong Health. A resource from the Northern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center.

Improving Patient-Provider Communication. (Video) Amid growing concerns about racial, ethnic and language disparities in health care, The Joint Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights have developed this video to support language access in health care organizations.

International Medical Interpreters Association. The International Medical Interpreters Association is a nonprofit organization providing a forum and a clearinghouse of information. It also provides networking, education and training opportunities for its professional medical interpreter membership.

National Council on Interpreting in Health Care - NCIHC. The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care is a multidisciplinary organization based in the United States whose mission is to promote culturally competent professional health care interpreting as a means to support equal access to health care for individuals with limited English proficiency.

NCIHC - A National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care

The National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities

A Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Healthcare Organizations The Office of Minority Health has sponsored the development of A Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Healthcare Organizations guide to help healthcare organizations implement effective language access services to meet the needs of their limited English proficient (LEP) patients, thereby increasing their access to health care.

Standards in Support of Language and Culture. The Joint Commission views the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services as an important quality and safety issue and a key element in individual-centered care. It is well recognized that the individual’s involvement in care decisions is not only an identified right, but a necessary source of accurate assessment and treatment information.

Special Tabulation of LEP Information from Census 2000 - Wisconsin

The Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association The mission of the Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association (UMTIA) is to improve the quality of interpreting, translating, and language resources in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.

If you have any comments about this page, suggestions for improving it, please write to the Office of Minority Health.

Last revised March 24, 2022