MDPH Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Initiative
Standards
The principles and activities for delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate services should be integrated throughout an organization and undertaken in partnership with the communities being served.
The 14 Standards are organized by themes:
- Culturally Competent Care (Standards 1-3)
- Language Access Services (Standards 4-7)
- Organizational Supports for Cultural Competence (Standards 8-14)
CLAS Standards ( PDF) | Word
Resources
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health released a report on CLAS implementation. http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=15
Below please find the links to on-line resources:
Office of Minority Health, Health Care Language Services Implementation Guide https://hclsig.thinkculturalhealth.org/user/home.rails
The National Center for Cultural Competence, Cultural and Linguistic Competence Policy Assessment http://www.clcpa.info/
Initiative
The CLAS Initiative has four working committees, each jointly chaired by the Office of Multicultural Health and Office of Healthy Communities. The committees hold meetings monthly. The meetings are open for participation to both DPH staff and vendors. If you would like to attend a meeting, either in person or via phone conference, please contact the committee co-chairs.
Coordinating Committee
- The Coordinating Committee (CC) oversees the implementation of the CLAS Initiative across DPH.
- The CC has worked to integrate the CLAS Standards into the DPH procurement process.
- The CC meets the 3rd Thursday of every month from 9:30am to 11:15 am at the DPH Central Office, 250 Washington Street, Boston.
- Please contact the Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs for more information at Brunilda.Torres@state.ma.us or Cathy.O’Connor@state.ma.us.
Culturally Competent Practice Committee
- The Culturally Competent Practice (CCP) Committee works to ensure agencies provide care compatible with a persons’ cultural health beliefs.
- The CCP Committee works to ensure agencies implement strategies to recruit, retain and promote a diverse workforce.
- The CCP Committee meets the 2nd Monday of every month from 2:45pm to 4:15pm at the DPH Central Office, 250 Washington Street, Boston.
- Please contact the CCP Co-Chairs for more information at Ron.OConnor@state.ma.us or James.Destine@state.ma.us
Language Access Committee
- The Language Access (LA) Committee works to implement the federal mandates on language access services.
- The LA mandates include ensuring that language access services, including interpreter services, are provided at no cost to the client at all points of contact.
- The LA Committee meets the 4th Wednesday of the month from 2pm to 4pm.
- Please contact the LA Co-Chairs for more information at Jordan.Coriza@state.ma.us or Paul.Muzhuthett@state.ma.us
Organizational Supports Committee
- The Organizational Supports (OS) Committee works to build DPH and vendor capacity to implement CLAS standards.
- The OS Committee works to develop guidelines on policies and procedures necessary for cultural competency.
- The OS Committee meets the 4th Thursday of the month from 9:30am to 11:30am.
- Please contact the OS Co-Chairs for more information at Samuel.Louis@state.ma.us or Linda.Shepherd@state.ma.us
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