Linguistic Services
Service Standard
Linguistic Services Service Standard print version
Texas Department of State Health Services, HIV Care Services Group – HIV/STD Program
| Subcategories | Service Units |
|---|---|
| Translation/Interpretation – Document | Per payment |
| Translation/Interpretation – Interpersonal | Per 15 minutes |
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Description
Linguistic Services include interpretation and translation activities, both oral and written, to eligible clients. A qualified linguistic services provider must provide these activities as a component of HIV service delivery between the healthcare provider and the client. Agencies must provide these services when necessary to facilitate communication between the provider and client and support delivery of HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) eligible services.
Program Guidance
Agencies may provide linguistic services in both group and individual settings. These standards ensure that language is not a barrier to any client seeking HIV-related medical care and support and that agencies provide linguistic services consistent with the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards.
Limitations
A qualified linguistic provider must provide linguistic services, including interpretation (oral) and translation (written) services.
Universal Standards
Service providers for Linguistic Services must follow HRSA and DSHS Universal Standards 1-63 and 175-177.
Service Standards and Measures
The following standards and measures are guides to improving healthcare outcomes for people living with HIV throughout the State of Texas within the Ryan White Part B and State Services Program.
| Standard | Measure |
|---|---|
|
Provision of Services: Agencies will document the client’s need for linguistic services to facilitate communication with the provider and receive appropriate services. Staff must document the need at the time of the client’s initial request for services, which may occur at intake or initial assessment. Agencies must provide translation or interpretation services for the date of the scheduled appointment and document the type of linguistic service provided in the client’s primary record. Documentation must include the language involved, the type of service provided (oral interpretation or written translation), and whether services were for an individual or a group. Agencies may provide linguistic services in person or via telephone or other electronic means. |
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References
Division of Metropolitan HIV/AIDS Programs, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB). Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) National Monitoring Standards for RWHAP Part A Recipients. Health Resources and Services Administration, March 2025.
Division of State HIV/AIDS Programs, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB). Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) National Monitoring Standards for RWHAP Part B Recipients. Health Resources and Services Administration, March 2025.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR). “Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title vi and the Prohibition against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons.” HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, July 26, 2013,
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Policy Notice 16-02: Eligible Individuals & Allowable Uses of Funds. Health Resources & Services Administration, October 22, 2018.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). CLAS Standards. Think Cultural Health; Department of Health & Human Services. thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/clas/standards