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An Assessment of the Implementation of the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The enhanced National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (the National CLAS Standards) are a comprehensive series of guidelines that inform, guide, and facilitate practices related to culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS). The National CLAS Standards are supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a means to strengthen and support a culturally competent health and human services workforce.
To further facilitate the adoption and implementation of the National CLAS Standards, the HHS Office of Minority Health assessed the nature and extent of awareness, adoption, and implementation of the National CLAS Standards within HHS. An online survey was used to assess organizational awareness, adoption, implementation, and anticipated outcomes of the National CLAS Standards. Examples of specific domains examined included participation in CLAS learning opportunities, CLAS adoption decision factors, communication of CLAS adoption decisions, barriers and facilitators to adopting and implementing CLAS, and means to assess agency CLAS implementation. Preliminary findings indicated that multiple HHS agencies have adopted and are incorporating elements of the National CLAS Standards in their work. Agencies have incorporated the National CLAS Standards in strategic plans, health promotion materials, funding announcements, guidance for grantees as well as using the National CLAS Standards to drive agency data collection and reporting.
Including the National CLAS Standards in agencies’ policies and operations strengthens HHS’s infrastructure to eliminate health disparities in an increasingly diverse nation. Information gained can inform further adoption and implementation of the National CLAS Standards within HHS, as well as non-federal entities.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practiceDiversity and culture
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Describe the extent that HHS agencies are aware of the National CLAS Standards
Describe efforts HHS agencies are using to support the National CLAS Standards
Keyword(s): Cultural Competency, Federal Policy
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have had a lead role in the development of the ACA Section 4302 demographic data collection standards and the associated HHS implementation policy guidance, and currently serve as a Departmental subject matter expert on the data standards. I've developed and conducted many analytic research projects and published manuscripts on several health disparities and chronic disease topics, such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes and obesity.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.