Courts have interpreted Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as requiring interpretation and translation services to the public. The federal CLAS Standards were adopted to specifically address this problem and provide direction to health care agencies. In accordance with Connecticut General Statute §19a-200 and §19a-244, DPH's Office of Local Health Administration requests that local Health Directors complete the Local Health Annual Report for their Department or District.

This measure captures the percentage of CT Local Health Departments (LHD) that have taken steps to implement CLAS Standards. For more information regarding the Local Health Survey or the 2 questions included to assess CLAS at each LHD, please reach out to the agency's Office of Local Health (https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Local-Health-Admin/LHA/Local-Health-Administration).

In 2019, there were 65 LHDs, and in 2021 there were 64 LHD when Easton joined the existing Wesport-Weston Health District to form the Aspetuck Health District. In 2022, there will be 61 LHDs as more towns join existing Health Districts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the strains on the healthcare and public health systems, the 2020 Local Health Survey was not implemented.

These data are updated annually in June after analysis of the Local Health Survey, which is fielded in September of the previous year.

The Office of Health Equity, Local Health Departments and Districts, DPH contractors and other targeted agencies work with DPH to reach our goal.

Training of service organizations and providers on awareness of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) problems and LEP communities, in order to improve communication in health, health care, and social service settings.

- World Health Organization, 2008. Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health, Geneva.

- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care: A Blueprint for Advancing and Sustaining CLAS Policy and Practice.

For current year strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).

DPH Contract language includes a reference to compliance with non-discriminatory practices. CLAS Standards trainings are planned to improve understanding of the importance of language-related changes, and what steps are needed to achieve compliance. Specific tools to illustrate best practices will be shared.