One of SEMCA’s goals for substance abuse services this year was to educate SEMCA providers on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and servicing clients with Limited English Proficiency. SEMCA staff received training throughout the year at various other events from a representative from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Arturo Garcia. Mr. Garcia also agreed to come to Southeastern Michigan to present to our providers in a special session.
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(standing, left) SEMCA’s Manager of Treatment Services, Denise Norman; and from the Detroit Bureau of Substance Abuse (right) Edward Aniapam; (sitting left) Patricia Blake-Smith and (right) Simone Douglas.
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SEMCA, in collaboration with the Detroit Bureau of Substance Abuse, held this half-day training at Children’s Center in Detroit on August 20, 2001. There were approximately 100 participants from agencies throughout Wayne and Monroe Counties. Denise Norman represented SEMCA and Edward Aniapam was present for the City of Detroit.
The training focused on complying with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 including how to provide services for clients who speak little to no English in accessing the substance abuse system. Other topics discussed included the development of policies and procedures, process for interpretive services as well as issues related to the deaf and hard of hearing. SEMCA and the City of Detroit received very positive feedback both on the presenter and the topic discussed.
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Arturo Garcia from the United States Department of Health and Human Services conducted the training.
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SEMCA continues to pursue having materials printed in other languages to service this population appropriately. SEMCA’s brochure is currently printed in Polish, Arabic and Spanish and the Recipient Rights booklet is also printed in Arabic and Spanish. SEMCA will continue this goal as an on-going planning initiative throughout the next fiscal year.
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