Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Service Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Health staff flags translation gap after longtime WIC translator departs
Summary
Staff advised the board that the long-time translator for WIC is no longer with the program, prompting discussion about device apps, language-line services, HIPAA concerns, and potential paid translation subscriptions.
Staff member (Speaker 1) reported the program’s long-standing translator is no longer available to the WIC department and said the office is exploring options ranging from two-way translation apps to paid language-line subscriptions for clinical encounters.
"Our translator that we've had with the WIC department for many, many years is no longer with Molina Millman, is no longer with our WIC department in an official capacity," the staff member said. Board members raised HIPAA and usability concerns about device-based translation, and staff said they will bring options and pricing back to future meetings.
Committee members noted that some clients have literacy or dialect issues (for example, Venezuelan Spanish differs from other Hispanic dialects), and staff suggested coordinating with regional health partners to identify best practices and potential funding sources for interpreter services.
