A1 language interpretation and translation services

Language Interpretation and Translation ServicesUpdate on Changes and how they will affect your organization

OCASI ED Forum, November 1, 2010

Purpose of the presentation

• To provide an overview of the LITS project

• To update on the approach that CIC Ontario Region is taking to implement changes to the provision of LITS in the settlement sector

• To seek input on the approach’s impact on agencies

LITS Project Timeline

As a result of the LITS study completed in 2009, a committee was struck to move forward on recommendations contained in “A Study of the Need for Language Interpretation and Translation Services in the Delivery of Immigrant Settlement Programs”.

The LITS committee worked with PSTG Consulting to create “Guidelines and Standards to Guide the Delivery of Interpretation in the Settlement Sector in Ontario”

LITS Study:Proposed a series of recommendations for improvement

Current Project:Implementation of recommendations

for improvement

COIA Consultations:

Identified the need for

improvement

Next Steps:Implementation of

additional activities required for LITS in Ontario

2008 2009 2010 Future

COIA Consultations:Identified the need for improvement

LITS Study:Proposed a series of recommendations for improvement

Current Project:Implementation of recommendations for improvement

Next Steps:Implementation of additional activities required for LITS in Ontario

LITS Committee

• The LITS committee was created in December 2009, to provide input regarding sector needs and to ensure that actions taken will actually meet the needs of the settlement community

• Committee members include representatives from: MCI, CIC, Settlement Organizations (large and small, rural and urban), and Settlement Organizations also currently funded by MCI to deliver Language Interpretation Services (LIS) interpretation

• Committee worked with the same consultant who authored the original 2009 LITS report, and oversaw additional research required to move the project along.

The committee provided input at every step of the research process (for example- identified key dimensions which training and standards should exhibit, advised on which key informants researchers should contact, recommended questions which should be asked during community consultation process, and communicated potential impact of recommendations on settlement SPOs).

Project Objectives- What the consultants examined

Research conducted by consultants falls into 3 main categories:

1. What boundaries should paid settlement interpreters and translators work within? In order to answer this question:

a) Describe where and/or how interpretation is provided in other sectors (health, legal, housing and education) as well as variances by region or location, and

b) Define the scope of interpretation services in the settlement sector in Ontario.

2. Identify provincial standards of practice for interpretation in the settlement sector.

3. Identify required training for interpreters and translators working in the settlement sector:

1. Boundaries

client

Settlement services:a. Needs assessmentb. Counselling/case managementc. Orientationd. Information and referral

education

employment

legal / justice

health

Interpreter

Immigrant’s Pathway through Settlement Services

This diagram describes the pathway through the settlement sector at a high level and identifies the “line” where settlement services end to be just after

the referral to the allied service provider is made.

Tensions:1. The lack of a solution on the other side of the line2. Settlement workers wanting to provide the solution 3. The capacity of settlement sector to advocate for a solution

The line where settlement services end

1. Boundaries

• Reasons for drawing the line there:

Need to draw the line somewhere and stop filling in the gaps in other sectors’ service delivery

This will support the professionalization of the settlement sector

Not financially feasible to provide interpretation services for all client interactions on the other side of the line

1. Boundaries

• Implications of the boundary for SPOs:

CIC will reimburse the cost for the use of qualified interpreters for the delivery of core settlement services ( needs assessment, counselling/case management, orientation, information and referral).

There will be a dedicated budget line for interpretation in direct delivery contribution agreements. Multilingual staff working at settlement agencies are not qualified as interpreters and should not be

interpreting for their clients in other sectors (liability issues as well as difficulty in performing both roles simultaneously).

CIC will also encourage other sectors “to do their fair share”. CIC will continue to provide leadership in the area of interpreter services and engage in dialogue and joint ventures with other sectors (health, legal, housing, education) to improve newcomer access to interpretation services.

2. Interpretation Standards

• New standards for interpretation in settlement:

CIC has adopted the National Standard Guide for Community Interpretation Services (NSGCIS) which provides guidelines for the consistent and reliable delivery of high quality interpretation in various human services sectors in Ontario.

In order to ensure that the standard guide is appropriate for the settlement sector, CIC is going to initiate dialogue with the Health Integration Network to create an addendum to the National Standards Guide for Community Interpreters to include the following standards: Advocacy – Interpreters, as neutral and objective party, should refrain from advocacy Debrief – Interpreters should have access to a service provider with whom to debrief particular

client encounters Performance management – settlement organizations should have a system in place to

monitor and manage the quality of interpretation Standard encounter – settlement organizations should have a guideline that describes a

“generic” interpretation encounter for all parties involved.

3. Interpreter TrainingGuidelines for interpreter training:

In order to be reimbursed for the services of a professional interpreter, a SPO must ensure that the interpreter who they use has completed an approved interpreter training program. This ensures that the quality of interpretation they receive will be consistent and professional.

Required training includes following elements:

As a prerequisite for participation in interpreter training, student must:

Score 75% or higher on either the CILISAT or ILSAT test;

The training curriculum must include the following:

Standards of practice and ethics including but not limited to confidentiality, impartiality (objectivity), integrity, respect, accessibility, cultural sensitivity, advocacy, misconduct, ethical decision making, role of the interpreter, role of the service provider, role of the client

Core competencies including but not limited to language competence, interpreting competence, accuracy, and limitations of practice

Setting specific competencies including but not limited to areas of relevance to the settlement setting such as advocacy, misconduct, ethical decision making and technical competence

Students will complete at least 80 hours of training. This includes any setting specific training that is required to address issues relevant to the settlement sector or local needs.

3. What existing training meets these standards?

• Language Interpretation Services (LIS) curriculum delivered at LIS organizations (84-120 hours)

• Community College Training (180 hours)

• There is currently a large pool of interpreters who already hold this training, so this recommendation does not require CIC to train interpreters but rather requires SPOs to ensure that the interpreters they utilize can demonstrate that they have the required qualifications

• CIC will create a settlement specific module (8 hours), which will be delivered in Ontario Region 2-3 times a year, so that these interpreters and translators can become familiar with settlement/immigration terminology and settings

Our Next Steps: How will we implement these recommendations?

• CIC Ontario Region is in the process of negotiating with a SPO to develop the 8-hour settlement module for interpreters.

• CIC Ontario Region is also going to create an electronic toolkit to be used by other human services sectors to find solutions to their LITS needs.

• CIC Ontario Region will work to include an annex to the National Standards Guide. • CIC Ontario Region will amend direct delivery agreements to include line items for

interpretation services.• CIC will send a communiqué to settlement agencies to update them on the LITS project.• Comments and Suggestions are welcome.