Language Access Leadership Academy:Promoting our mission through leadership training and

professional development

Izabel Arocha, Executive Director

International Medical Interpreters Association

Presenter: Alfredo Mercuri MA IMIA Texas Representative

Problem statement:

We need more leaders in the field to advocate for language access in health care!

We also need advocates.

– Advocacy: The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.

The IMIA believes it has the expertise to fill this leadership gap through the development of a language access leadership program.

“ Absolute identity with one's cause is the first and great condition of successful leadership. “

Woodrow Wilson.

Our cause:

1.Professional medical interpreters are a vital service for language minority patients to get equal access and reduce language barrier disparities and errors which can have grave health consequences.

2.All patients have an innate right to communicate in their language.

3.This is a global issue. We need to enforce state, national and international standards for the profession.

Language Access

1. Equal access for services

2. Language Rights

3. Upholding CLAS and Title VI

4. Reimbursement

5. How to impact legislators

Language Access

•With growing concerns about racial, ethnic, and language disparities in health and health care and the need for healthcare systems to accommodate increasingly diverse patient populations, language access services (LAS) have become more and more a matter of national importance.

•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 LAS to meet the needs of their limited English proficient (LEP) patients, thereby increasing their access to health care.

Importance of Language Access Services

1.Access to Care

2.Quality of Care

3.Patient Satisfaction

4.Resource Utilization

5.Studies

Background for Language Access Services

1.History of Recommended National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Care (Enhanced in 2011)

2.Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

3.State and Local Regulations

4.Accrediting Organizations

Language Access Services

1.Assessing the Language Needs of Patients

2.Assessing Organizational Capabilities

3.Planning and Implementing Language Access Services

(A Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Healthcare Organizations, Guadalupe Pacheco, 2005)http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/HC-LSIG-ExecutiveSummary.pdf

What is leadership?

To lead is not to control or dominate. A leader inspires people to work together and to go in the right direction.

Leadership is hard to define, but you know when you see it. and communities at large. You may feel the desire to take on more of a leadership role than previously or you just know you want to make a difference and have been told you have natural leadership qualities.

5 Levels of Leadership:1.Position – lowest level of leadership. Influence related to job title.

2.Permission – based entirely on relationships and building trust

3.Production – Getting things done, gaining influence and credibility

4.People Development – ability to empower others and reproduce themselves.

5.Pinnacle - Reputation transcends position, organization and even industry.

(John C. Maxwell, The Five Levels of Leadership)

Leadership Skills Needed for Success

• Integrity (Leadership Ethics)

• Vision/strategy

• Communication

• Relationships

• Persuasion

• Adaptability

• Teamwork

• Coaching and Development

• Decision-making

• Planning

Program StructureThe IMIA Leadership Academy's goal is to develop interpreters' leadership skills so they have the confidence and authority to make a real difference in their organizations.

Two tiered program that focuses on:

1.Pertinent knowledge (language access, laws, studies)

2.Leadership Skills and Attributes (discussion, reading and exercises)

Academy Renown Faculty

Dr. Alex Green, Disparities Solutions Center

Guadalupe Pacheco, Office of Minority Health

Bruce Adelson, Esq. Title VI Consultant

Lola Bendana, IMIA President

Izabel Arocha, IMIA Executive Director, Academy Co-Chair

Ira SenGupta, CCHPC Executive Director, Academy Co-Chair

Oscar Arocha, LLS Language Technologies Consultant

Linda Joyce, National Board of Certification

Janet Bonet, Nebraska Association of Translators and Interpreters.

Target Candidates:This program is not for the novice interpreter but for those who entered into leadership positions, and now want hone the knowledge and skills to back it up. Leadership Academy Fellows will be selected based on their resumes, letter of intent, and a letter of recommendation.

• Cost:

$599 total cost of program

• Time Frame:

Program runs from September 4, 2012 - May 1, 2013

• Format:- 7 webinars and 8 conference calls- All sessions are 1.5 hrs with a lot of interactive activities- Online chat group discussions- At conclusion join: IMIA Leadership Academy Fellows Alumni Club- 2.4 IMIA CEUs provided; ATA and RID CEUs pending

Dates/Topics:Sept 4 - Decision Making and Leadership

Sept 18 - Assertiveness for Leaders

October 2 - Patient Safety: What’s Language Got to Do With It? 

October 16 - CLAS Standards: Leading Beyond the Basics

November 6 - Ethics for Leaders

November 20 - Title VI : A Tool for Leading the Way

December 4 - Improving Presentation Materials

December 18 - Certification: Power to the Profession and Patient Safety

Dates/Topics 2:January 15 - Non Profit Management for Longevity and Impact

February 5 - Parliamentary Procedure & Robert’s Rules

February 19 - Budgets and Finances – Essential Leadership Responsibility 

March 5 - Frontiers and Pioneers: Rural Language Access

March 19 - Language Technology - Opportunities and Challenges

April 4 - Managing Difficult Conversations and Conflict

April 18 - Team-Building, Mentoring and Coaching Skills

April 20 - Program Evaluation Forms emailed out to group*

May 1 - Face to Face Graduation Ceremony

Q & APlease see

http://www.imiaweb.org/conferences/leadershipacademy.asp for updated information on this program and to register.

Registration will open in May.