A systems approach to implementing and supporting culturally and linguistically appropriate health services at the Massachusetts department of public health

As part of statewide efforts to promote equitable access to health services, the Massachusetts Department of Public health (MDPH) is facilitating the implementation of the federal Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards throughout the Department and across its 300 funded vendor agencies. The 14 CLAS Standards offer a framework to inform, guide and facilitate required and recommended practices related to workforce diversity, language access, and culturally competent care. The MDPH CLAS Initiative is using a systems approach to promote the awareness and application of the CLAS standards at all levels of practice, while also focusing on the sustainability of these efforts. What nourishes this systems approach is the cross-departmental collaborations within MDPH, as well as the partnerships maintained with external agencies. These collaborations enhance the Initiative's capacity to work at multiple-levels across MDPH to address the multiple areas targeted by CLAS Standards. This poster will describe the key target areas of the Initiative and how each is contributing to the progress toward the CLAS Initiative's goals. The key areas are: 1) a broad-based, active, and responsive administrative structure; 2) the integration of CLAS-related education and training into current training infrastructures at MDPH; 3) the integration of CLAS standards to MDPH RFR procurement and contractual requirements with vendor agencies; and 4) ongoing assessment of program progress in implementing the Standards. Strategies and implications drawn from the presentation can inform health services agencies seeking to enhance their capacity to address health disparities.