Delivering Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services Training Via Video Teleconference: The Pros and Cons

Objective: Offer a video teleconference (VTC) training on the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards mandates to New York State (NYS) chronic disease and injury prevention contractors and partners.

Methods: The NYS Department of Health Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention worked with the NYS Bureau of Healthcom Network Systems Management to offer a one-hour VTC training on CLAS Standards.  Logistics included curriculum development, host site solicitation, VTC connection testing, recording/replication/distribution of the training, development of a web-based evaluation tool.

Results: Sixteen sites hosted this live event for 100 attendees, with CD copies distributed on request to those who could not attend. Results from evaluations indicate an ongoing need for trainings related to CLAS Standards and other cultural competency topics.

Conclusion: In light of travel restrictions faced by many organizations, this effort proved to be highly effective, reaching many public health contractors and partners who would not otherwise be able to attend trainings.  Evaluation results indicated trainings would be even better attended through the use of webinar technology.