Title
Consider a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2025.06, seeking to design a pilot program at the Alisal Health Center in East Salinas to better meet the healthcare language needs of our Indigenous-language-speaking patients.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2025.06; and
b. Provide direction on a preferred referral processing option:
i. Proceed with completion of referral as outlined in preliminary report;
ii. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by Board;
iii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or
iv. Rescind referral.
c. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Background:
Board Referral No. 2025.06 was assigned on June 10, 2025 to the Health Department, to design a pilot program for the Alisal Health Clinic in East Salinas to better meet the healthcare and language needs of our Indigenous-language-speaking patients. The referral aims to create a pilot program for Alisal Health Center to include the following strategies: increase access to interpretation services by hiring Indigenous medical interpreters for appointments, while also recognizing the need for deeper system navigation and social support by employing community health workers to assist patients with completing forms, accessing resources, and addressing other barriers to care,, update the appointment system to flag whether a patient will need an indigenous interpreter for their appointment, provide cultural humility training for clinic staff on our Indigenous communities, and make available key patient information in Indigenous languages by mediums such as video or other digital outreach efforts, when possible, on matters, such as billing and coverage for medical expenses.
Project Description:
The Health Department is committed to healt...
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