Welcome to the Language Access Work Group
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the Language Access Work Group mandated by Substitute Senate Bill 5304. Please consult this web page for news, resources, documents, and more related to the work group.
NEWS
The website has been updated to include information from the September 19 meeting, including notes, videos, and chats.
The Draft Options document has also been updated. This document was first presented to participants during the September 19 meeting. On September 20, participants were informed that this working document had been revised. After meeting with state agencies, the document has been modified again. If you previously downloaded the PDF document, please be sure to replace it with the version dated 9/22/2023 in the footer.
AGENDA
Following is a high-level overview of the topics that will be covered in each of the meetings:
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Date |
Overview |
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Welcome and introductions; SSB5304 purpose, scope and goals; small group discussion; homework assignment; next steps |
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Review assignment and small group discussion |
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Review assignment and small group discussion |
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Review assignment and small group discussion |
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Review assignment and small group discussion |
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Review assignment and small group discussion; review the content for draft report; confirm public comment dates |
RESOURCES
The following list contains materials you can consult to prepare for engagement with the work group:
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Substitute Senate Bill 5304. This bill directed DSHS to convene the Language Access Work Group
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LTC Background (PDF). DSHS created this timeline to help work group participants get a high-level overview of the Language Testing and Certification (LTC) program that began in the early 1990s.
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DSHS Administrative Policy and Washington State Agency Publication Guidelines. These documents help you understand the process the final report will go through before it is submitted to the Legislature by the December 1, 2023, deadline.
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Information Sheet: Preliminary Elements of Medical Interpreter Testing and Certification (PDF). Please consider the elements in this document as you create recommendations for our discussion on how the State of Washington can support having more qualified medical interpreters.
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Participants are encouraged to use the Language Access Work Group: Draft Recommendations Form, which includes elements from the Information Sheet, as they draft their recommendations.
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Poll Results (Pending)
MEETINGS
Click on the links below to find information pertinent to each meeting.
UPCOMING/HOMEWORK
To prepare for the sixth and final meeting of the Language Access Work Group, which will be held from 10:30am-12:00pm on Tuesday, October 3, please:
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Review Table One and Table Two on the Draft Options page and decide which interpretive service certification programs you think work best for Washington State.
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Be prepared to discuss your recommendations during the October 3 meeting. Following the discussions, we will ask you to take an online poll to rank the options. We will share the top recommendations from the poll in the final report to the legislature.
If you have any questions, please direct them to the Language Access Work Group team at workgroupssb5304@dshs.wa.gov
