Research has shown that individual outcomes are better, program compliance is higher, and organizations decrease staff time spent and complete fewer assessments when using interpreters in health and behavioral health settings. This net effect is mutually beneficial. There is a cost-saving for organizations and equal opportunity for limited English proficient service seekers.

Discussion topics for this session include:

• Latinx, Language Access, & COVID-19

• The importance of trained interpreters

• Common practices of trained interpreters

• Strategies for working with trained and untrained interpreters

• Considerations for mental health settings

Who should attend? This is a basic level webinar for psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, mental health interpreters, and other behavioral health professionals. 

About the presenter:  

Cecily Rodríguez, MPA- For more than 30 years, Cecily has been developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and programs that address equity and inclusion in the health and human service sector. In Cecily’s current position, she is responsible for developing learning and training material; supporting research initiatives; program evaluation, and structuring equity and inclusion research efforts. She came to Virginia Tech from the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) where she was the Director of Refugee Health Services Division. She was responsible for executive leadership of grant and contract-related planning and implementation for new state health and wellness programs; development, management, and oversight of program budgets totaling more than $30 million annually. During the previous service to the Commonwealth, Cecily was the Director of the Office of Health Equity Advancement and Workforce Development at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. At DBHDS, she led the agency’s response to disparities in behavioral health and developmental services. 

Please read the following before registering: 

• The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center use GoToWebinar as our online event system. 

• Audio for the event is accessible via the internet. To receive audio, attendees must join the event by using computers equipped with speakers or dial in via telephone. 

• After registration, a confirmation email will be generated with instructions for joining the event. To avoid problems with log-in, please use the confirmation email to join the event.