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Language: Challenges and Opportunities Linguistic Competence & LEP Persons
The Department of Human Services Office of Multicultural Health will provide guidance and technical assistance to DHS Public Health Division in fulfilling its responsibilities to provide meaningful access to limited English proficient persons (LEP).
Introduction
Language for LEP individuals can be a barrier to accessing important benefits or services, understanding and exercising important rights, complying with applicable responsibilities, or understanding other information provided by Federally funded programs and activities. In certain circumstances, failure to ensure that LEP persons can effectively participate in or benefit from Federally assisted programs, may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d and Title VI regulations against national origin discrimination. DHS receives funds from several Federal Agencies for an array of public health programs and services that fall under these requirements.
DHS is committed to improving the accessibility of these programs, services and activities to eligible LEP persons. On September 2003, the DHS Cabinet endorsed a set of 14 standards published by the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for cultural and linguistic competence (CLAS) to: www.omhrc.gov/clas.
With the endorsement of these standards, federal and state health agencies, policy makers, other organizations - and now the Department - have a blueprint to follow for building culturally competent organizations. The standards are organized by three themes:
- culturally competent care (standards 1-3)
- language access services (standards 4-7)
- organizational supports for cultural competence (standards 8-14)
To implement ORS 409.615, Oregon administrative rules are being proposed for 2005 that will set standards for the certification of health care interpreters working with individuals of limited English proficiency. While certification will be voluntary, it will nonetheless, establish a baseline for both interpreters currently employed in the field and the health services organizations that employ them.
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Linguistic Competence
Definition
Frequently Asked Questions
Policies & Procedures
Tools & Forms
Related Links
Multi-language Translations of Forms
The documents on this website are intended to assist agencies that receive federal financial assistance in their planning efforts to ensure that their program services address meaningful access for all of the people they serve, including those who are limited English proficient.
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