Specifications include, but are not limited to: The State of Maine is seeking proposals for an assessment of language services in Maine, and the development of recommendations for Department-wide language access policies and implementation. Currently the Department does not have a consistent approach across its offices, divisions, and hospitals to understanding the most commonly spoken languages of its constituents or how to best meet language access goals in different communities. Current language access policies and resources are located at the Department’s Effective Communication and Language Access website. The Department has received preliminary feedback from community partners around current challenges related to its translation and interpretation services including for resources provided directly by the Department and Department services that are provided by contractors in the community. Community partners have shared that current phone-based interpretation services – which are most commonly used – do not meet many community members’ needs and have expressed a desire for increased access to in-person, community-based interpretation services, which scaled up across the State during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community partners have also highlighted the need to serve the individual in their spoken language, including the appropriate regional dialects. Beyond just language needs, Cultural Competence is paramount to communicating effectively and avoiding communication breakdowns and misinterpretation. The need for effective and culturally competent translation and interpretation services spans services across the entire State including public health, healthcare, public safety, social services, and education. Conduct a review of relevant Federal and State laws and Department policies governing the: Collection of language information; and Provision of translation and interpretation services. Complete a Statewide assessment of how the Department and its vendors currently serve residents who speak languages other than English or use American Sign Language (ASL), including: Methods used to assess an individual’s primary language and language proficiency (review may include paper-based, online, and verbal mechanisms for collecting language information); List of vendors currently providing translation and interpretation services; and Mechanisms used for quality control of translations provided to the Department by vendors. Identify best practices for culturally competent translation and interpretation services for individuals who speak languages other than English or use ASL. Conduct interviews with leaders within the Department to inform policy recommendations.
