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Public Benefits and Health

Nutrition Assistance (SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program)

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS)

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)FNS Instructional 113-1FNS, Policy Memo CRD 01-2023, Ensuring Language Access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals and Effective Communication for Individuals with Disabilities In Consideration of the Recent Unwinding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments (EA) and Upcoming Unwinding of COVID-19- Program Flexibilities. PDF version - May 30, 2023. FNS, Policy Memo SP 37-2016, Meaningful Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in the School Meal Programs, LEP Q&As (PDF)Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps), Materials Available in 36 Non-English languagesNational School Lunch Program, Translated Applications in 49 Languages

Reports and Guides

Report: Promising Practices for Ensuring Access to School Meals for Limited English Proficient Families, Food Research & Action CenterFood Stamp Bilingual Requirements, Welfare Law Center

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

What are a TANF agency's obligations with regard to serving applicants and beneficiaries with limited English proficiency?, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)TANF-ACF-IM-2000-05 - Policy Guidance on the Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination as It Affects Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)The Application Process for TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and SCHIP.  Use of Written Aides/Translation of Written Materials, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation - January 2003The Application Process For TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and SCHIP. Chapter 6. The Language Dimension of Applying for Assistance: Strategies to Meet the Needs of Limited English Speakers, Urban Institute, 2003 

Child Welfare

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services OCR Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) are provided meaningful access to programs and activities. January 7, 2021 Press Release | December 18, 2020 Agreement 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services OCR Addresses National Origin Discrimination in Alabama Child Welfare Programs- October 25, 2017, Agreement (archive) - August, 2017

Outreach to Families with Limited English Proficiency and Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families

Video: Civil Rights Laws: Implications for Persons with Limited English Proficiency and Persons with Disabilities in the Provision of Child Welfare Services (Part 1) , U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights- June 29, 2017

State Child Care Policies for Limited English Proficient Families, The Center for Law and Social Policy - October 2012

Health Care

Department of Health and Human Services Letter to States Re: Ensuring Language Access for LEP Individuals and Effective Communication for Individuals with Disabilities During the Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment- April 4, 2023

Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice Telehealth Guidance Addresses Access for LEP Persons- July 29, 2022

Language Access Training and Standards

Interpreter Tool: Working With Interpreters in Clinical Settings, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesLanguage Access Services Webinar for Wyoming Department of Health (3 Sessions), Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (National CLAS Standards), Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services- April 2013 (PDF Version)Oral, Linguistic, and Culturally Competent Services Guides for Managed Care Plans, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)Honing Cultural and Linguistic Competence, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Language Access Services for LEP Patients

Ensuring the Rights of Persons with Limited English Proficiency in Health Care During COVID-19 (PDF), Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Español - May, 12, 2020TeamSTEPPS® Enhancing Safety for Patients With Limited English Proficiency Module, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - March, 2013Improving Patient Safety Systems for Patients With Limited English Proficiency: A Guide for Hospitals, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - September, 2012A Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Healthcare Organizations, Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - 2005You Have the Right to an Interpreter Campaign, Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services, audio and text of transcript is available in 9 non-English languagesJoint Commission 

National Senior Citizens Law Center

What's in a Word?: A Guide to Understanding Interpreting and Translation in Health Care, National Health Law Program, National Council on Interpreting in Health Care, and American Translators Association- 2010Health Centers: Improving Health Care Access For Limited English Proficient Patients, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations and the California Primary Care Association - March 2004

Enforcement

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services - December 19, 2019 [AgreementEnforcement Success Stories Involving Persons with Limited English Proficiency (archive), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil RightsOCR launches national compliance review initiative, "Advancing Effective Communication in Critical Access Hospitals," U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) (Report in PDF) - April, 2013

Other Health Care Resources

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Resources for Effective Communication, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights

Language Access Resources and Publications, National Health Law Program

Symbol Usage In Health Care Settings for People with Limited English Proficiency (PDF), Hablamos Juntos, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - April, 2003