Equity

North Sound Accountable of Health invierte en la formación de intérpretes médicos

September 12, 2022 by Natalie Leave a Comment

El año pasado, North Sound Accountable Community of Health (North Sound ACH) desarrolló una encuesta sobre el acceso lingüístico para recopilar datos sobre los idiomas que se hablan en la región de North Sound y comprender mejor cómo apoyar a las organizaciones regionales en proporcionar servicios lingüísticamente y culturalmente apropiados en los servicios sociales y de salud.

Los datos recopilados en la encuesta destacaron oportunidades para aumentar los servicios en idiomas distintos al inglés. En la primavera de 2022, North Sound ACH inició un proyecto piloto para brindar oportunidades de capacitación a personas bilingües y multilingües para incrementar el acceso a la interpretación médica, una necesidad identiﬁcada de la fuerza laboral en North Sound.

Los participantes en esta encuesta son organizaciones asociadas con North Sound ACH, incluidas organizaciones comunitarias que prestan servicios a comunidades y naciones tribales en los condados de Whatcom, Skagit e Island.

La encuesta mostró que los principales idiomas para solicitar un intérprete son: español (95%), ruso (64%) y vietnamita (24%). La encuesta también informó sobre la gran necesidad de intérpretes para las personas que hablan lenguas indígenas, como el mixteco alto y el mixteco bajo, lo cual es especialmente difícil encontrar intérpretes locales con estos idiomas particulares de manera oportuna.

North Sound ACH ofreció becas para una clase de capacitación en Whatcom Community College en el trimestre de primavera de 2022; 12 estudiantes bilingües y trilingües se inscribieron en el curso de Fundamentos de Interpretacion Medica, provenientes de los condados de Skagit, Island, Snohomish y Whatcom. De los 12 estudiantes, 11 completaron la capacitación y ahora son elegibles para tomar el examen para la certiﬁcación nacional en interpretación médica. Los estudiantes que aprueben el examen serán elegibles para ofrecer interpretación médica a hablantes de mixteco, español y coreano.

Hay una diferencia entre un intérprete y un empleado bilingüe.

Rebeca Sixto era una de las alumnas, bilingüe (español e inglés), que al igual que muchos niños inmigrantes y de primera generación, ella ha estado interpretando de manera informal para su familia y miembros de la comunidad durante años, y a menudo se le pedía que ayudara a traducir o interpretar en sus lugares de trabajo. “A veces se siente como, oh Dios mío, tengo todo este trabajo que hacer,” reﬁriéndose a su experiencia al tener que traducir mientras estaba en el trabajo, pero “lo estoy haciendo para las personas que lo necesitan.” Ella menciono que siempre ha sido el tipo de persona que ayuda a las personas necesitadas. Después de tomar la clase, Rebeca dijo que aprendió que hay reglas a seguir para asegurarse de que está interpretando correctamente, especialmente en un entorno médico. Los estudiantes aprendieron sobre los estándares legales y éticos para la interpretación.

La compañera de estudios Julieta García Suárez dijo que descubrió que los empleadores a menudo quieren personas bilingües, pero no siempre se ofrece una compensación adicional por sus habilidades. “Hay una diferencia entre un intérprete y un empleado bilingüe,” dijo Julieta.

Todos los estudiantes han visto una gran necesidad de intérpretes, y muchos están motivados para tomar el examen estatal para obtener la certiﬁcación, no solo para recibir una compensación adecuada por sus habilidades, sino porque se necesitan intérpretes locales, como se demuestra en la encuesta realizada por North Sound ACH. Muchos de los estudiantes compartieron historias de ser jóvenes e interpretar para sus padres en las citas médicas, o ser la persona a quien acudir para ayudar a los pacientes de habla hispana que vienes a las clínicas donde se trabaja, o incluso si la persona necesitaba ayuda con el papeleo escolar de sus hijos. Tener intérpretes locales también genera conﬁanza en los miembros de la comunidad Latine, dijo Sixto.

North Sound ACH actualmente está buscando sitios de pasantías para los recién graduados de su programa de Interpretación Médica. A través de esta pasantía, los estudiantes practicarán sus habilidades de comunicación, traducción e interpretación, se familiarizarán con el entorno de atención médica y ganarán conﬁanza para brindar servicios de excelencia a sus clientes.

Para aquellos que ya trabajan en el campo de la atención médica, tener una certiﬁcación mejorará su capacidad para servir a sus comunidades, reducirá las barreras para los servicios de interpretación dentro de sus organizaciones y será reconocido y compense justamente por el trabajo.

Para aquellos sin experiencia en el campo de la atención médica, esta capacitación y certiﬁcación podría ser el comienzo de una carrera en la industria de la atención médica, ya que el graduado estará equipado para trabajar en organizaciones que requieren interpretación y traducción médica para sus clientes.

En 2023, North Sound ACH continuará liderando esfuerzos con socios de la comunidad para expandir el programa de certiﬁcación e interpretación médica a personas que hablan otros idiomas identiﬁcados en la encuesta de acceso lingüístico.

Las organizaciones que estén interesadas en recibir pasantes o aprender más sobre este proyecto pueden contactarnos en team@northsoundach.org.

Rocio Castillo-Foell, Directora de Participación Comunitaria y Promoción de la Salud habla virtualmente a los participantes del programa de intérpretes. Foto por Gabriela Cardona / North Sound ACH

North Sound Accountable Community of Health invests in training medical interpreters

September 12, 2022 by Megan Stephenson Leave a Comment

Last year, North Sound Accountable Community of Health (North Sound ACH) developed a Language Access Survey (LAS) to collect data on languages spoken in the North Sound region, and to better understand how to support partner organizations in providing culturally- and linguistically-appropriate language services in healthcare and social services.

The data collected from the LAS highlighted opportunities to increase non-English language services. In spring 2022, North Sound ACH initiated a pilot project to provide training opportunities to bilingual and multilingual individuals to explore medical interpreting, an identified workforce need in the North Sound.

The participants in the LAS are North Sound ACH partner organizations, including community grass-roots organizations serving communities and Tribal nations in Whatcom, Skagit, and Island counties.

The survey showed that the top languages to request an interpreter are: Spanish (95%), Russian (64%), and Vietnamese (24%). The survey also reported the high need for interpreters for Central American Indigenous languages, such as Mixteco Alto and Mixteco Bajo, which is especially challenging to find local interpreters for those languages in a timely manner.

North Sound ACH offered scholarships for a training class at Whatcom Community College in Spring Quarter 2022; 12 bi- and trilingual students enrolled in Foundations of Medical Interpreting, coming from Skagit, Island, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, speaking Mixteco, Spanish, and Korean. Of the 12 students, 11 completed the training and are now eligible to take the exam towards certification in medical interpreting.

There’s a difference between an interpreter and a bilingual employee.”

Rebeca Sixto was one of the students, a bilingual speaker of Spanish and English. Like many immigrant and first-generation children, she has informally been interpreting for her family and community members for years, and was often asked to help translate or interpret at her workplaces. “Sometimes it feels like, oh my gosh I have all this work to do,” she said of being asked to translate while at work, but “I’m doing it for the people that need it.” She said she’s always been the type of person to help people in need. After taking the class, she said she learned there are regulations to follow, to ensure you are interpreting correctly, especially in a medical setting. The students learned about legal and ethical standards for interpreting.

Fellow student Julieta Garcia Suarez said she found that employers often want bilingual speakers, but it didn’t always equate to extra compensation for her skills. “There’s a difference between an interpreter and a bilingual employee,” she said.

The students have all seen a great need for interpreters, and many are motivated to take the state exam to become certified – not just to be appropriately compensated for their skills, but because local interpreters are needed, as demonstrated in the LAS. Many of the students shared stories of being young and interpreting for their parents at medical appointments, or being the “go-to” person for Spanish-speaking patients when working at clinics, even if the person needed help with their children’s school paperwork. Having local interpreters also builds trust in Latinx community members, Sixto said.

North Sound ACH is currently looking for internship sites for the recent graduates of its Medical Interpretation program. Through this internship, the students will practice their communication, translation, and interpretation skills, become familiar with the healthcare environment, and gain confidence to provide excellent services to their clients.

For those already working in the healthcare field, having a certification will enhance their ability to serve their communities, reduce barriers to interpretation services within their organizations, and be recognized and better remunerated for the work.

For those with no experience in the healthcare field, this training and certification might be the beginning of a career in the healthcare industry, as the graduate will be equipped to work at organizations that require medical interpretation and translation for their clients.

In 2023, North Sound ACH will continue to lead efforts with community partners to expand the medical interpretation and certification program to individuals who speak other languages identified in the Language Access Survey.

Organizations that are interested in hosting interns or learning more about this project can contact us at team@northsoundach.org.

from left to right: Veronica Sanchez, Cristina Morales, Rebeca
Sixto, Jhovana Sanchez, Julieta Garcia Suarez; sitting, Marco Morales. Photo by Gabriela Cardona / North
Sound ACH

Monkeypox (MPV) public health response, stigma resources

September 2, 2022 by North Sound ACH staff Leave a Comment

As of September 1, 2022, there are 450 total cases of monkeypox virus (MPV) in Washington state. In our region, Snohomish has 15, Whatcom has 1, and Island has 1.

North Sound ACH staff Heather McGuinness (Public Health Liaison) and Michaela Vendiola (Tribal & Community Liaison) have compiled a list of Tribal, state, county and other public health resources, as well as anti-stigma literature.

You can also call 1-833-829-HELP for answers about MPV risk factors, vaccine information, testing and treatment, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays. In addition to calling 1-833-829-HELP, callers can continue to dial 1-800-525-0127 and press # to be transferred to a Washington 211 specialist. Language assistance is available in 240 languages. Call takers will not be able to schedule vaccine appointments.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself against MPV is to know the risks and take precautions. Despite misinformation, anyone who has close contact with a person with an infectious rash can get MPV; it is not exclusive to any community. MPV can also spread through touching objects, fabrics and surfaces that have been used by someone with MPV, and contact with respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact. If you have an unexplained rash, cover it, avoid skin-to-skin contact with others, and see a health care provider. They will determine what testing and treatment may be available.

View our North Sound MPV resource spreadsheet, and send us your suggestions to include in this spreadsheet by emailing Team@NorthSoundACH.org.

Responding to the Inequities in the Opioid Crisis

June 13, 2022 by North Sound ACH staff Leave a Comment

Megan Tripp, Project Manager

In 2022, North Sound ACH partnered with the Department of Health for a pilot project aimed at getting naloxone into the hands of people in the community. The need for community naloxone distribution is greater now than it ever has been before. Over the past 15 years, opioid overdose deaths in the North Sound region have increased by over 126%, with a particularly rapid increase starting in 2020. San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish counties have each seen an increase of nearly 150% in opioid overdose deaths.

In an attempt to begin to address this crisis, we have supplied 105 kits of nasal naloxone spray (Narcan) to community partners, who in turn have distributed 44 kits to the people they serve. Each kit contains two doses of naloxone, which means we have gotten 88 potentially lifesaving doses of naloxone into our communities! Program participants have also reported training 48 people on overdose response and naloxone administration. Unfortunately, this program was limited by the funding available to DOH, and that funding has been depleted. We are actively seeking alternative sources for these life-saving supplies while we wait to hear from DOH about renewed funding.

One of the organizations working with North Sound ACH is Health Ministries Network, an interfaith nonprofit which supports health ministry and works with faith community nurses (FCNs) in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties by promoting preventive health care, health equity and spiritual well-being. Following a recent local health fair where Narcan was offered to community members, Executive Director Sarah Lane, shared with us,

It was lovely to sit down with folks and have thoughtful conversations about Narcan distribution. As we let folks know that this was available, some felt called to tell us their recovery stories. Others wanted to tell us that this was a futile effort—and we could hold space for good discussion.And others quietly came inside, learned, took the Narcan and know we are there for them, wherever they find themselves.”
Sarah Lane

Fentanyl Awareness Day

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution declaring May 10, 2022 the first National Fentanyl Awareness Day in response to the increased impact of fentanyl in the opioid epidemic, and the sharp increase in overdose deaths over the past two years. The CDC estimates that as many as 107,000 people in the U.S. died as a result of drug overdose between November 2020 and November 2021, and an estimated 66% of those deaths are attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is an FDA-approved synthetic opioid used legally for pain management and, according to the CDC, is “50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.” Because of its potency, illicit drug manufacturers have used fentanyl to create stronger, more addictive drugs more cheaply. Fentanyl is increasingly being found in counterfeit prescription pills (fake pills falsely marketed as prescription opioids, anti-anxiety medications, ADHD medications, etc.), cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, and many people taking these substances are unaware they are also ingesting fentanyl. The presence of fentanyl in other drugs cannot be identified by appearance, smell, or taste; it can only be detected using fentanyl test strips.

Opioid overdose and equity

The opioid epidemic was put in motion in 1996 with the introduction and FDA approval of OxyContin as a “minimally addictive” pain reliever.¹ For many years after that introduction, opioid use disorder and overdoses disproportionately affected white communities due to racialized opioid regulation, marketing, and prescription rates.² Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) patients were frequently denied opioid prescriptions to manage their pain due to racial bias in the medical community. However, more recent data suggests a shift in who is most affected by opioid use disorder and overdose deaths. A study published in March 2022 showed that while all racial and ethnic groups had an increase in rates of overdose deaths in 2020, the increase was greatest in Black and brown communities.³ The mortality rate was highest in American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and the largest increase in the mortality rate was in the Black community. Previous studies have shown a correlation between frequency of opioid use and social determinants of health, including level of education, housing stability, and employment status.⁴The inequality already faced by BIPOC communities further underscores the racial justice issues embedded in the opioid epidemic today, and the need to respond equitably.

What can I do?

Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless when faced with these facts is very real, but there are ways you can help.

Educate yourself on who is susceptible to opioid overdose – it is not only a risk for people with opioid use disorder or substance use disorder, but can happen to anyone taking opioid medications or illicit drugs.
Fentanyl testing strips can be ordered online and should be used to test any substance that was not obtained at a pharmacy or dispensary.
Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of fentanyl and other opioid overdose:
- Loss of consciousness
- Slow or stopped breathing
- Gray or bluish pallor to the skin in light-skinned individuals; ashy skin in darker-skinned individuals
- Constricted pupils (looks like a pinpoint)
Overdoses caused by fentanyl may strike more suddenly, and require additional doses of naloxone to reverse.
Carry naloxone and know how to use it. Naloxone can be purchased at many pharmacies without a prescription, and the cost may be covered by insurance.
Advocate for additional funding from the state to continue vital naloxone distribution programs and fentanyl testing programs.

Sources

Products – vital statistics rapid release – provisional drug overdose data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm. Published May 11, 2022. Accessed June 10, 2022.
Hansen H, Netherland J. Is the Prescription Opioid Epidemic a White Problem?. Am J Public Health. 2016;106(12):2127-2129. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2016.303483
Friedman JR, Hansen H. Evaluation of Increases in Drug Overdose Mortality Rates in the US by Race and Ethnicity Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022;79(4):379–381. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.0004
Albright DL, Johnson K, Laha-Walsh K, McDaniel J, McIntosh S. Social Determinants of Opioid Use among Patients in Rural Primary Care Settings. Soc Work Public Health. 2021;36(6):723-731. doi:10.1080/19371918.2021.1939831

Sadness and anger on racial violence – we must speak up

June 3, 2022 by North Sound ACH staff 1 Comment

Shanon R. Hardie, Board Chair

The tragedy in Buffalo still weighs heavy on my mind and heart alongside the shootings in Tulsa, Laguna
Hills, Uvalde and 14 other sites over the Memorial Day weekend. I know it is not new; acts of violence
and racism are inflicted upon our Black friends, neighbors, co-workers, families, and communities every
day and traumatize them further. What is hitting me so hard is that despite so much more focused
attention on racial injustice, there continues to be such regularity of it; the cumulative effect, the
seeming acceptance of it as ‘normal,’ and that in the Buffalo case, it was an 18-year-old that carried out
this evil act. How does an 18-year-old develop such hatred and bias? We accept that we have so much
work to do with older generations raised in an environment with biased and racist cultural norms. But
how, in this day and age, are we still raising children with that hatred? I guess I have been naïve in
thinking that we are raising a new generation that is more aware, more tolerant, more empathetic,
more inclusive. My hope for the future was in the next generation. Expecting they would help us lead
REAL change. I know this is just one young person but if there is one, there are others.

Life is hard and there are so many risks out in the world that can harm and devastate any family. Every
parent worries about their kids. However, I can’t imagine the kind of fear, stress, and anxiety that Black
mothers and fathers have to live with and manage each and every single day. Beyond worrying about
the things all parents worry about – stranger danger, car accidents, being hit by a car, drowning, etc. –
they have to worry that any person their child interacts with will harm them solely because of the color
of their skin. A worry that those of us with white privilege never have to think about. Never having to
ask ourselves…Will they see and appreciate how important my child’s life is? Will they see my child as a
person of value and worthy of kindness and respect? Will they see that my child is as loved and precious
to our family as their own children are to them? Will they see that my child has hopes and dreams just
like their children do? Will they understand and have empathy for my child’s wariness and fear because
of a pattern of inequities, bias, violence, and trauma that they’ve seen happen time and again?

I struggle between heartbreaking sadness and full-on outrage. As a white woman of privilege, I am still
on a learning journey and am committed to increased awareness, adding my voice and taking action. I
am still not always comfortable in sharing my message and voice. I know what I feel in my heart and
what message I want to say but can’t always find the right words to say it. I know many of us of privilege
are in the same boat. However, if we stay silent for fear of saying it “wrong,” then nothing will change.
So, I am working at taking the risk of saying it anyway and knowing that I will get better at it through
humility, owning my missteps and doing better next time. I also know that I will be extended grace for
having my heart and intentions in the right place. I encourage you to join me in taking the risks…. for
that is the only way toward REAL change.

Car safety technicians trained in the North Sound

March 18, 2022 by Megan Stephenson Leave a Comment

Becoming a parent is an exciting and very busy time – there are many things to prepare for in order to keep your environment safe for a new baby. Car seats are an expensive but very necessary item to purchase, and the Region 11 Child Passenger Safety team helps caregivers prepare to carry their children safely in their cars, at no cost to the caregivers. Supported by a variety of funding sources, and often working out of local fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and social service agencies, these nationally-certified technicians meet with individuals and families, as well as groups and agencies like hospitals, to provide education and information on proper car seat safety.

Technician Erica Littlewood and expecting parent Tasha going over installing a car seat. Meg Stephenson / North Sound ACH

Morgan and Tasha are first time parents, and after buying a car seat, did an internet search to find who in the area could help them install and understand how to use the seat properly. For those who have not had to use or install a car seat, it may be surprising to learn how complicated it can be. Fortunately, trained technicians in this program are in each county in the North Sound.

North Sound ACH Project Manager Erica Littlewood is the Washington state Region 11 coordinator for the Child Passenger Safety program, and has been doing this work for 16 years. Region 11 consists of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties. Snohomish County is its own region, and Region 11 and Snohomish County work closely together.

Technician Erica Littlewood demonstrates installing a car seat with expectant parents Morgan and Tasha. Meg Stephenson / North Sound ACH

After scheduling an appointment, Erica met Morgan and Tasha at the Geneva Fire Station in Bellingham. During the session, Erica explained how car seats should be properly installed, how to use the car seat’s harness (practicing on a baby doll), and an overview of the laws around the different car seats (when an older child can start using a booster, can sit in the front seat, etc).

“This is why we’re doing this, so we feel more powerful,” Morgan said.

Did you know: technicians recommend taking your baby out of the child safety seat every 1-1.5 hours – even though it may be tempting not to disturb baby if they fall asleep, it is better to take them out of that restrictive seat.

Hospitals will ask parents if they have a car seat installed before the birthing parent is discharged, but may not have a trained technician to go over the seat with parents at that time. Making an appointment ahead of time with a technician in your area is recommended.

Erica held a training for 11 new technicians who will work in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties, as well as two technicians who will work in Snohomish and Pierce counties, in October 2021. Training the technicians, supplying the class with relevant equipment, and teaching space came from North Sound ACH, South Whatcom Fire Authority, and the Children’s Museum of Skagit County. The class was financially supported by the state Child Passenger Safety program.

Shawneri Guzman with South (Snohomish) County Fire is a trainer technician, with Trevor Bolton of San Juan Island EMS at the October training. Meg Stephenson / North Sound ACH

Shawneri Guzman works for South (Snohomish) County Fire and has been a child passenger safety technician for 20 years. She didn’t take this type of class when she had her own children, and when she was first trained it was an “eye-opener” for her. Whether the new technicians getting trained were there for their jobs or just as a community volunteer, they do it to help their communities, Shawneri said.

“It’s rewarding to know the family is leaving safer than when they arrived,” she added.

In her 20 years, she’s seen a lot of changes – car seats are more complicated but safer, cars are more complicated, families have changed.

“Culturally, a lot of people come to this country with no experience with car seats, [and] they just want to do what’s right,” Shawneri said.

Trevor Bolton of San Juan Island EMS at the child passenger seat training. Meg Stephenson / North Sound ACH

How can I find a seat or a technician?

The Child Passenger Safety program also has a limited number of car seats for donation to families who are referred by local agencies. For more information, contact Erica at erica@northsoundach.org.

You may search for technicians in your area by going to https://cert.safekids.org/get-car-seat-checked (it will include languages other than English if available).

Where can people donate?

If people want to support the program, they can donate to Safe Kids Northwest:
PO Box 764
Burlington, WA 98233
with “child passenger safety” on the memo line

Funds go to purchase new car seats for the donation program. It’s great if people can share a gently-used car seat with family or friends, but they should not resell a seat or purchase a used seat.

Other resources:

Region 11 Child Passenger Safety Program

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Safe Kids Coalition