RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL: All Staff

TITLE: Communication with Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP); Interpreter Policy

PURPOSE:

The agency will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in our services, activities, programs and other benefits.

POLICY:

The agencywill take reasonable steps to ensure that all services and programs provide meaningful communication with LEP patients/clients and their authorized representatives involving their medical conditions and treatment.

PROCEDURE:

Prompt identification of the language and communication needs of the LEP person. Language will be identified by intake staff at time of referral. Intake staff/Clinical Director or designee will determine if the LEP person requires an interpreter. Past interactions with patients, clients, residents, or family members, the language used to communicate with the LEP person will be included as part of the record.

Obtaining a Qualified Interpreter
For LEP persons requiring interpretative services, the agency staff handling intake/registration, or the clinician as appropriate, is responsible for arranging for either the appropriate bilingual staff member to interpret, or obtaining an outside interpreter if a bilingual staff or staff interpreter is not available or does not speak the needed language.

Some LEP persons may prefer or request to use a family member or friend as an interpreter. However, family members or friends of the LEP person will not be used as interpreters unless specifically requested by that individual and after the LEP person has understood that an offer of an interpreter at no charge to the person has been made by the facility. Such an offer and the response will be documented in the person’s file. If the LEP person chooses to use a family member or friend as an interpreter, issues of competency of interpretation, confidentiality, privacy, and conflict of interest will be considered. If the family member or friend is not competent or appropriate for any of these reasons, competent interpreter services will be provided to the LEP person.
Children and other clients/patients will not be used to interpret, in order to ensure confidentiality of information and accurate communication.

Considerations- The agency will take reasonable steps for communication of information contained in vital documents, including but not limited to, waivers of rights, consent to treatment forms, financial and insurance benefit forms, etc. All interpreters, translators and other aids needed to comply with this policy shall be provided without cost to the person being served, and patients/clients and their families will be informed of the availability of such assistance on admission to services.

Language assistance will be provided within each of The agency programs, and may include use of competent bilingual staff, staff interpreters, contracts or formal arrangements with local organizations and State agencies providing interpretation or translation services, or technology and telephonic interpretation services. The agency is responsible for defining the language assistance methods available to patients and clients and for ensuring staff is provided notice of its internal policies and procedures. Staff that may have direct contact with LEP individuals will be trained in effective communication techniques, including the effective use of an interpreter.

The agency will conduct a regular, regional review of the language access needs of our patient population when possible, as well as update and monitor the implementation of and adherence to this policy. The agency will establish procedures to support the LEP policy, to include:

Maintain an accurate and current list showing the name, language, phone number and hours of availability of bilingual staff; and

Maintain an accurate and current listing of outside interpreter services who have agreed to provide qualified interpreter services for facility/program patients. See Language Interpreter Services Form. These listings may be obtained by contacting the supervisor and/or their designee.

Providing Written Translations

The Clinical Director will determine when translation of vital documents is needed. Original documents being submitted for translation will be in final, approved form with updated and accurate legal and medical information.

The agency will provide translation of other written materials, if needed, as well as written notice of the availability of translation, free of charge, for LEP individuals when requested.

Providing Notice to LEP Persons
The agency will inform LEP persons of the availability of language assistance, free of charge. Staff will utilize the contracted translation services when appropriate.

Monitoring Language Needs and Implementation
The agency will assess changes in demographics, types of services or other needs that may require reevaluation of the LEP policy and its supporting procedures on an ongoing basis. The efficacy of the procedures will be regularly assessed. The assessment is inclusive of, but not limited to, mechanisms for securing interpreter services, equipment used for the delivery of language assistance, complaints filed by LEP persons, feedback from patients, staff, and community organizations.

Current listing of outside interpreter services:

The LanguageBank

Spoken Language Interpretation/Translation/Sign Language

Services is part of a suite of services that also includes LanguageBank Sign Language

Interpretation Services and LanguageBankTranslation Services.

To learn more see contact us at:

603-410-6183

Toll free (all locations): 800-244-8119

E-mail:

On call: 24-hour answering service

DT Interpreting 1-866-237-0173

State Coordinator, Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

New Hampshire Department of Education

Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning

21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20

Concord, NH 03301

603-271-3471 (V/TTY)

Lisa Hatz

Director, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation

ADA/Title IX Coordinator

NH Department of Education

21South Fruit Street, Suite 20

Concord, NH 03301

(603) 271-7080

Inquiries regarding Section 504 should be directed to:

Tina Greco

Section 504 Coordinator

NH Department of Education

21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20

Concord, NH 03301-3860

(603) 271-3993

Inquiries regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX, Section 504, and/or Title II of the ADA also, or instead, may be directed to:

U.S. Department of Education

Office for Civil Rights

33 Arch Street, Suite 900

Boston , MA 02110-1491

(617) 289-0111

TDD 877-521-2172