SAMHSA updates Language Access Plan as part of healthcare equity initiative
By J’NON GRIFFIN
RN, MHA, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-C, HCS-O, COS-C
Sr. Vice President of Compliance & Coding
In early August, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released an updated version of the Language Access Plan known by the acronym LAP.
The revised version is behavioral health-specific. It sets out many new policies, responsibilities, and best practices for language assistance services.
Many agencies under SAMHSA oversight will need to undertake a few housekeeping tasks to comply with the revisions, including policy changes and staff training.
What is SAMHSA’s Language Access Plan (LAP)?
LAP is SAMHSA’s collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advance broader healthcare equity initiatives.
Equity initiatives aim to improve healthcare access for people of color and others who have been historically underserved, under-resourced, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.
One such group is made up of patients, clients, and their families who prefer to communicate in a language other than English. The acronym NELP is used to describe this group. NELP stands for Non-English Language Preference. This same group is sometimes identified by the acronym LOE, which stands for Language Other than English.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the number of people who spoke a language other than English at home in 2019 had tripled compared to what it was in 1980, outpacing the overall growth of the general population.
Research indicates this group may be particularly at risk for behavioral healthcare inequity due to language barriers. In addition, some cultures lack terminology for Western mental health and substance abuse words and concepts.
SAMHSA’s LAP is a roadmap for language assistance
LAP sets out a roadmap for agencies to follow in providing language assistance services to individuals with NELP. LAP applies to all programs and activities funded by SAMHSA in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
SAMHSA first developed its LAP in accordance with the 2023 HHS Language Access Plan. The updated version released this month more specifically addresses behavioral health, according to HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon.
Elements and action steps in SAMHSA’s new version of LAP Revisions address services and treatment designed to reduce mortality related to substance use, overdose, mental illness, suicide and fostering recovery, Delphin-Rittmon said.
The revised LAP also targets resources to develop, support, promote and sustain resilience in children, youth, and families.
Key elements of SAMHSA’s revised LAP
In releasing the updated version of LAP earlier this month, SAMHSA identified the key elements as:
- Written Translations: LAP sets out goals and initiatives for translating vital documents and developing multilingual resources to better serve individuals with NELP and diverse language preferences.
- Interpretation Services: LAP also defines goals for providing interpretation services to individuals with NELP in an effective and inclusive way.
- Grant Assurance and Compliance: LAP assures grantees and contractors that SAMHSA will provide ongoing guidance in their efforts to provide language assistance services to the communities they serve.
- Staff Training: LAP identifies language access training for agency staff as a priority for effectively engaging and assisting individuals with NELP and diverse language preferences.
What agencies need to do
SAMHSA is encouraging its grantees and contractors to familiarize themselves with the LAP revisions and take any steps needed to align their own policies, resources, and service delivery models with the equitable access goals set out under the plan.
The fully updated version of SAMHSA’s LAP is available as a PDF here.
Agencies should focus on the key elements identified by SAMHSA, making certain their policies align with LAP initiatives for providing written translations and interpretation services. It will also be important to make certain all necessary staff training is provided.
How SimiTree can help
Our compliance experts have the insight and acumen necessary to help clients achieve full compliance in today’s fluid healthcare field, including the assurance of equitable access to care for all individuals receiving services for mental health, substance misuse, and recovery.
We work with behavioral health providers of all types to ensure policies are updated, procedures include all necessary checks and balances, and a dynamic compliance program is in place.
Reach out to us today, and let’s work together to shore up compliance and improve performance at your organization.
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J’non Griffin serves as Senior Vice President/Principal for the Compliance as well as Coding divisions at SimiTree. Her healthcare career spans three decades of clinical and leadership experience, and she has a track record of helping many provider types implement effective compliance programs. She is a certified ACHC and CHAP consultant and holds additional certifications in diagnosis coding and other healthcare specialties. As an AHIMA ambassador, she was instrumental in the implementation of ICD-10.