Language Access Plan
Effective dates: July 1, 2024
PDF version of the LACDMH Language Access Plan is available here.
Contact Persons
Mirtala Parada Ward, LCSW, ARISE Division – Lead Manager, Program Manager III
Mparadaward@dmh.lacounty.gov
Dr. Sandra T. Chang, ARISE Division – Cultural Competency Unit (CCU), Program Manager I
Schang@dmh.lacounty.gov
Additional Contact Information for the ARISE Division
- General ARISE Division mailbox: ARISEDivision@dmh.lacounty.gov
- Language Assistance Services: ARISELAS@dmh.lacounty.gov
- Sign Language accessibility: ARISEaccessibility@dmh.lacounty.gov
Search for services in your preferred language at the LACDMH Provider Directory.
Overview & Context
Mission
Our mission is to optimize the hope, wellbeing and life trajectory of Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable through access to care and opportunities that promote independence, personal recovery, connectedness, and community reintegration.
LACDMH seeks to reduce the impact of untreated mental illness by emphasizing whole-person care, cultural and language responsiveness, equity, and partnership with communities and social service providers. Language accessibility is a cornerstone of this mission.
To ensure equitable access, the ARISE Division – Cultural Competency Unit (CCU) facilitates language assistance services for 23 stakeholder meetings annually, many of which are held monthly and require multiple types of accommodations.
For general inquiries regarding the Language Access Plan, contact ARISELAS@dmh.lacounty.gov.
Priority Languages
LACDMH recruits a diverse, multilingual workforce and contracts with Legal Entities to provide culturally and linguistically competent programs. The thirteen threshold languages in LA County are:
- Arabic
- Armenian
- Cambodian/Khmer
- Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Other Chinese)
- English
- Farsi
- Korean
- Russian
- Spanish
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
In addition, bilingual bonuses are paid for 36 total languages (threshold and non-threshold). The LAS Unit within the ARISE Division coordinates interpretation services across departmental and clinical contexts.
LA County Medi-Cal Eligible Threshold Languages (CY 2023)
| Language | Average (Jan – Dec) |
|---|---|
| Arabic | 6,229 |
| Armenian | 91,924 |
| Cambodian | 8,607 |
| Cantonese | 43,403 |
| English | 2,638,861 |
| Farsi | 15,931 |
| Korean | 35,915 |
| Mandarin | 53,422 |
| Other Chinese | 2,080 |
| Other Non-English | 5,425 |
| Russian | 29,571 |
| Spanish | 1,451,889 |
| Tagalog | 10,066 |
| Vietnamese | 29,566 |
| Total | 4,422,889 |
Note: Data sourced from the California Health and Human Services Agency Open Data Portal (April 2024). Arabic qualifies as a threshold language for LA County due to exceeding 3,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
LACDMH is working to acquire zip-code-level data for more precise language need assessments by Service Area.