Determining Language Assistance Needs for Each LEP Individual Sample Clauses

Determining Language Assistance Needs for Each LEP Individual i. In-person Communication with LEP individuals. Upon an MHS Staff Member’s initial encounter with an LEP individual and/or Companion for whom the Staff Member cannot personally provide language assistance, the Staff Member will determine the individual’s primary language. The method of determining the individual’s primary language utilizing one of the following: 1. Multi-language identification cards or “I speak” cards; 2. Poster-size language list; or 3. If the LEP person does not read or recognize any of the languages included in one of the methods described above, MHS shall immediately use a telephone interpreting service to identify the individual’s primary language. Upon identification of the LEP person’s primary language, the Staff Member will provide language assistance services as needed. If necessary, the Staff Member will refer the individual to a pre-printed statement in the individual’s primary language that reads, “Please wait while I obtain an interpreter.” Under no circumstances shall a staff member deny a request for an interpreter based solely on whether an LEP individual can answer short questions by nodding or through the use of questions to which the answers are simply “yes” or “no.”