Language Access

Overview

More than a quarter of New Jerseyans do not report English as their primary language, according to US Census data.  Among these, approximately 11 percent speak Spanish, and another 12 percent speak other languages.  The top 5 languages spoken in NJ are: Spanish, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, Haitian Creole and Portuguese,   About 27.6 percent of those who speak a language other than English at home. [Source: American Community Survey, 2008]  

Several DHSS Websites have been translated into Spanish Language

• OMH En español

The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health's Language Access Initiative is increasing the amount of translated health education information and other material to help health care professionals provide more culturally competent care. So far, the initiative has:

• Greatly expanded access to Spanish language health education documents on the department’s web site as well as a limited number of other documents in Hindi, Mandarin Chinese and Haitian Creole.
  
  
• Created and distributed -- in conjunction with the New Jersey Hospital Association – a Communication Picture Board to help providers better communicate with patients who speak a language other than English.

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Translated Health Forms
Translated into three languages: Haitian Creole, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) -- Programs and services located in the communities where seniors and adults with disabilities live.

Related/Links

New Jersey Hospital Association -- Healthcare Communication materials related to Limited English proficiency and interpretation services are available on this web site.
“Effective Communication in Healthcare: Interpreter/Translation Services for Limited English Proficiency Populations in New Jersey”

New Jersey Judiciary
Interpretation/Translation Agencies for on Site Interpreting Services

American Hospital Association - AHA Solutions, Inc. is a resource to hospitals pursuing operational excellence. As an American Hospital Association (AHA) member service, AHA Solutions collaborates with hospital leaders and market consultants to conduct product due diligence and identify solutions to hospital challenges in the areas of finance, human resources, patient flow and technology. A webinar which provides information on how to improve the quality of patient care by complying with the federal mandate on language services is posted below.

• Webinar Replay - Complying with the Language Services Federal Mandate: Improving quality of Care and Patient Flow (August 13, 2009)
• Webinar PDF
  
• Post webinar survey results
  
• Post webinar Questions and Answers
  

National Council of la Raza (NCLR) – NCLR is a national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization.  Several publications related to Language Access in Health Care Settings are available on the web site.

Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Language Assistance to Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Language Assistance Self-Assessment and Planning Tool

Language-Based Discrimination in Health Care: How to Comply with the Legal Requirements -- sign up at this link to get a copy.

National Council on Interpreting in Health Care

Recent studies on interpreters and LEP patients

U.S. government link

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