MTI Leadership Team Meeting Notes
November 15, 2005
Attendees: Jason Varga, F.I.R.S.T. Project; Susan Kash-Brown, SCC; Kevin Flores, St. Elizabeth’s; Christine Stroud, HHSS/ORR; Jen Hernandez, NE Appleseed; T.J. McDowell, CHE; Beatty Brasch, Center for People In Need; Pat Carlson, Centerstar; Joan Anderson, LCMS; Malcom Miles, Region V Systems; Suzy Prenger, Planned Parenthood & SCC; Helen Fagan, Bryan LGH; Kit Boesch, Human Services; and Lori Seibel, CHE.
Guests: Dr. Maria Prendes-Lintel and Megan Watson, F.I.R.S.T. Project
The meeting was called to order by Kit Boesch. We all graciously thanked SECC for the use of their facilities and the lunch. Following introductions, Kit introduced Christine Stroud, the new HHSS/ORR Coordinator for Nebraska; and Dr. Maria Prendes-Lintel, CEO of F.I.R.S.T. Project and member of the State Behavioral Health Council.
State Behavioral Health Council and F.I.R.S.T. Project Presentation
Dr. Maria shared with us information on the F.I.R.S.T. Project. Currently they serve over 100 clients annually from 26 different countries. They provide a wide array of behavioral health services. They are funded by a Federal ORR Grant that gets considered for refunding every 2 years.
She then shared her experience currently working on the State Behavioral Health Council. Appointed by the Governor, Dr. Maria serves on the mental health sub-committee (there is also a gambling sub-committee and a substance abuse subcommittee). In both 2004 and 2005 the team was to identify gaps in culturally and linguistically appropriate services in behavioral health. While recommendations were made, nothing was actively addressed. When surveys and research were completed for 2005 the finding indicated that only .05 percent of the NE population (61 people) needed linguistic services! This, of course, represents only the very few who could actually access and afford services; this tells us nothing about the quality of those services; and of course highlights the actual disparities that exist when we actually know the numbers should be in the hundreds or thousands. The message is clear that surveys are important but appropriate survey design is essential.
Dr. Maria also shared how they use translators within their agency. In addition to a very tough selection process, interpreters must take a 4 hour training course plus periodic refresher courses. When families wish to use their own interpreters FIRST Project says “Sorry — here is a list our trained interpreters you may choose from. If you insist on using your own, we will not be able to serve you but will help you find another provider.” The team thanked Maria for her time and asked if she would continue to update us on the State Council activities.
Staffing Update
Helen Fagan, Jason Varga, and T. J. McDowell met and gave the following staffing update. The near final job description was distributed. Following discussion and suggested revisions, T.J. said he would attach the revised version to these minutes. Upon receipt, please email any final revisions to T.J. within 48 hours. At that time, the position will stay open until a competent person can be found. The position will be a CHE contracted position at 20 hrs per week. T.J. will supervise the position. While supervised by CHE, the person does not need to necessarily office at that location. When hired, the contract will identify the deliverables we expect from them, as identified in the job description. Funding from CHE will cover the part-time coordinator; but match MTI funding in the amount of at least $10,000 still needs to be found. Everyone was asked to come to the next meeting prepared to discuss viable options for location of these funds.
Statewide Summit Update
Malcom gave us an update on the State Summit planning. Currently they are hoping the Governor will sponsor the conference. The C.L.A.S.S. Coalition has set aside $3,000 for the conference. Christine will see if HHS has any funding options to assist. Kit and T.J. will co-author a letter to Chris Peterson, of the Governor’s policy cabinet, to encourage the governor’s support. They are also exploring a CDC Grant (4 year) and a possible NIH Grant that would be more research based for similar conferences.
Office of Minority Health Conference Report
Ra wasn’t here to talk about the OMH Conference but those in attendance found the workshops and speakers to be excellent. Kit, T.J. and John Nason gave the MTI workshop, which was very well attended.
Committee Reports
Survey
- J. and Joan reviewed the draft of the survey to be distributed to medical personnel. Discussion followed. Below is the latest, greatest version. Please review and email changes. This will continue to be a work in progress until its dissemination in January 2006.
Standards
Suzy Prenger updated the Leadership Group on the work of the committee that is addressing Interpreter Standards. She presented a National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care document prepared by the National Council on Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC). The committee would like the group to review the standards and consider adopting them as the interpreter standards we establish for our community. Please share feedback regarding the standards with Suzy Prenger or Susan Kash Brown.
The next meeting is: Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Southeast Community College – 301 South 68th Street (Old Gallup Building)
Meeting handouts Included:
• Statewide Summit Information
• PowerPoint on F.I.R.S.T. Project
• NCIHC – A Guide to Initial Assessment of Interpreter Qualifications (2001)
• NCIHC – National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care (2005)