Overview of Emergency Interpreter Services

After- Hours Service

During evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, the MCDHH Emergency Interpreter Service line is forwarded to an "after hours" answering service which pages interpreters on duty. At this time, interpreters sign up to be on-call in each of eight areas of the state:

• Southeast
• Cape Cod
• Boston
• Northeast
• Metro/Central
• Central
• West
• Berkshire County

All interpreters on duty are trained in medical, mental health, and/or legal emergency assignments. Although we strive to have one interpreter on call per area, interpreter participation in this system is voluntary; therefore there may be shifts when no one is on call for a particular area or areas.

Week day requests

For emergency requests for interpreters during regular workdays, Monday through Friday, 8:45 am to 5:00 pm, call 1-800-249-9949 TTY/Voice. This is a hotline for emergencies only and is answered by the staff of the MCDHH Interpreter Referral Service. During regular workdays when MCDHH office is open, MCDHH will seek to contact and refer qualified, available interpreters as soon as possible but does not currently have on-call interpreters waiting and dedicated for emergency purposes.

Important Note

The After-Hours Emergency Interpreter Service is only for medical, mental health, and legal emergencies requiring immediate interpreter services during hours when the MCDHH Referral Service is closed.

For all non-emergency situations, you must continue to call MCDHH at
617-740-1600 Voice and 617-740-1700 TTY Monday through Friday, 8:45 am to 5:00 pm. Requests for non-emergencies will not be accepted on the emergency line.