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FILLING IN THE GAPS: ENSURING LANGUAGE ACCESS AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE
FOR VULNERABLE LONG ISLANDERS
Long Island Language Advocate Coalition
Conference
Hispanic Counseling Center344 Fulton Avenue
Hempstead, NY 11550
LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES FOR LIMITED ENGLISH
PROFICIENT PATIENTS
Long Island Language Advocate Coalition
Conference Inaccurate hospital records due to language barriers
Inappropriate referrals of LEP (Limited English Proficiency) patients. (higher level of care, services not provided, etc)
Insurance coverage issueso Lapse in policyo No Spanish language documents
Medication compliance issueso Eg. Meaning of “once” in Spanish
Long Island Language Advocate Coalition
ConferenceNot enough Spanish speaking providers
o No Spanish info for hotlines, flyers (227-TALK), after hour services, phone systems, and mobile crisis.
Long waiting lists everywhereo Few providerso High volume of requests (30-35 calls per day)o Few Spanish speaking psychiatrists-long wait
In Primary Care, psychiatry or agency the provider is bilingual but the support staff is not bilingual and at times not culturally sensitive
LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES FOR LIMITED ENGLISH
PROFICIENT PATIENTS
IMPACT AND CONSEQUENCES OF NOT RECEIVING LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES
Long Island Language Advocate Coalition
ConferenceLack of cultural awareness – Language is not just “talk” its part of their cultural identity.
o Individuals feel they don’t belong, they don’t feel accepted.
Inaccurate referrals.o Level of services does not match individual’s
needso Long waiting time – need to additional referral.
HOW ARE THESE NEEDS BEING MET IN THE ORGANIZATION
Long Island Language Advocate Coalition
Conference 100% Spanish speaking staff.
All documents are in English and Spanish.
Culturally competent – many different cultures.
Provide appropriate and culturally sensitive referrals to meet their needs.
We understand the hx. of the clients, where they come from, we speak their language, and this allows them to feel more comfortable about disclosing information.
Due to language and cultural affinity, we go beyond the mental health needs of the individual and we provide referrals for concrete services (housing, school, legal, food, employment) that alleviate the mental health issues of the individual.
Long Island Language Advocate Coalition
ConferenceQuestions and Answers
Claudia M. Boyle, LMHCYouth and Family Program Coordinator
Hispanic Counseling Center344 Fulton Avenue
Hempstead, NY 11550516-538-2613
