January 26, 2023
Culturally and Competency Training for Staff/First Responders in Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) – Offered by Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN)
Research shows that cultural minority groups suffer disproportionately during every phase of a disaster. This e-learning program from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to best serve all individuals, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.
Why Use Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Throughout a Disaster?
Have you experienced a time when you did not know how to best serve individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds before, after, or during a disaster? Did you know that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to suffer worse outcomes than the general population during every phase of a disaster?
This set of courses is designed to help you deliver culturally and linguistically competent services in disaster situations. Cultural and linguistic competency is the capacity for individuals and organizations to work and communicate effectively in cross-cultural situations. Cultural and linguistic competency can help improve the quality of the care you deliver to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
This free e-learning program from the HHS Office of Minority Health is accredited for up to 9 continuing education credits, at no cost, for emergency medical personnel/first responders, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, and up to 12 hours for dentists. After completing the required Course 1, you may take the remaining courses in any order you like.
This e-learning program is grounded in the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care. These standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health disparities. The National CLAS Standards provide you with a blueprint for increasing your cultural and linguistic competency.