Fellowship House complies with Department of Children and Families, Thriving Mind and Broward Behavioral Health Coalition policies to provide persons who are deaf or hearing disabled and with limited English proficiency with appropriate auxiliary aids and/or qualified foreign-language interpreters where needed.  All interpreters must demonstrate that they are certified as required by Department of Children and Families policy.

All qualified and potential members are entitled to an equal opportunity to use and benefit from the programs and services of the Department and its contracted service providers.  This includes accommodations to ensure that programs and services are equally accessible to and equally effective for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities who are deaf and hard of hearing, vision or mobility impaired.

Fellowship House will take reasonable steps to provide services and information in an appropriate language, other than English, to ensure that Limited English Proficient persons are effectively informed and can effectively participate in and benefit from its programs, services and activities.  Auxiliary aids or language interpreters will be available for use by members and potential members with impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills in each phase of the service delivery process (e.g., telephone inquires, requests, intake interviews, service delivery, counseling, complaints, testing, treatment, and training, etc.) This service will be at no cost to the member or companion.

All direct service staff receive training on how to provide services and auxiliary aids to members requesting this service within 60 days of employment.  An annual refresher training is required for all direct service staff.  A copy of this plan is available on our agency website (which is enabled with Accessibility Helper), Policies and Procedures Sharepoint and is posted on program building bulletin boards. 

• Doriliz DeJesus, Admissions Manager, is the agency’s Single Point of Contact charged with coordinating services/auxiliary aids for members and/or their companions who are deaf or hard of hearing. Generally, the need for interpretive services and/or auxiliary aids will be identified during the Admissions process.  Whenever possible, the need for interpretive services or auxiliary aids will be determined in the pre-screening process, allowing for appropriate linkage to services prior to the Intake appointment.

If the need for interpretive services or auxiliary aids arises during the Admissions process or at any other point of treatment, staff are directed to do the following to ensure accessibility of programs and services:

• Assess client needs by consulting with the client regarding his or her preferred communication method, and if applicable, with family members, guardians or other representatives. Consumer preference will be the primary consideration in the service or aid provided.  The member can waive or refuse to continue with services at any time, which will be documented in the AWARDS clinical record.
• Contact Doriliz DeJesus, Admissions Manager and Single Point of Contact (SPOC) at ext. 1539.  The SPOC or assigned staff person conducting the assessment/screening will document the request for the auxiliary aid, the method of communication preferred by the client, and interpreter services provided in the member’s AWARDS clinical record.
• For members with limited English proficiency, Fellowship House’s Human Resources department maintains a list of all foreign languages spoken by agency direct service staff including staff who communicate using American Sign Language. Wherever possible, members will be provided with treatment team staff in their language of choice.  If no staff is available, then the SPOC will follow the procedure to link to an outside interpreter. 
• The SPOC or assigned staff conducting the assessment will obtain a Release of Information granting permission by the member to contact interpreter services and obtain necessary information to contact client for confirmation of scheduled appointment with a certified sign language interpreter.
• If the member is insured by Medicaid, the SPOC will contact the Medicaid HMO for assistance with the coordination of interpretive and/or auxiliary aids. These services are often covered by Medicaid HMO’s.
• If not covered by Medicaid, the SPOC will contact the published list of interpreters and/or auxiliary aid providers at no cost to the member.
• If the member reports that the services provided are ineffective, the SPOC will reassess and discuss alternative options with the member. This may result in linkage to a new interpreter, different auxiliary aid, or linkage to another service that will benefit the member.  Fellowship House will not deny assistance in providing these services to any member that requests them. 
• Members that want to attend meetings, conferences and seminars may request assistance from staff in ensuring that necessary aids or services are available. Staff will ensure that such services are secured prior to the meeting, conference or seminar.
• All members have access to our 24 hour on-call system where any request being made for interpretive services after hours will be recorded on the on-call log and reported to the SPOC the next business day.

To view the full DCF Auxiliary Aids and Services Plan or learn more about their policies for individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency, click the button below.

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