Child Guidance & Family Solutions has developed and is implementing a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Action Plan based on CLAS Standards. This initiative aims to eliminate healthcare disparities among our clients by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services. At Child Guidance & Family Solutions, these culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) are essential for improving the quality of care we provide to all individuals. CLAS emphasizes respecting the whole individual and responding to their health needs and preferences.

Health inequities within our community are well-documented. Providing CLAS is another effective strategy CGFS is employing to help eliminate these health inequities. Our mental health professionals are dedicated to fostering positive health outcomes for diverse populations by tailoring services to align with each individual's cultural and language preferences.

Here are some key achievements we have made to enhance our DEIB initiatives:

• All CGFS Board and Executive Leadership Team members must undergo training on the CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate) standards.

• Annual training on CLAS standards has been added for the CGFS clinical staff.

• Policies and procedures have been updated to align with CLAS standards.

• Ongoing efforts are focused to recruit a diverse workforce.

• Signs in the lobby and on the website are being updated to ensure clients always know they can receive services in their primary language.

• Some CGFS clinical documents are being translated into Nepali and Spanish to more fully serve some of our larger non-English-speaking populations.

• Clients will be asked to complete surveys to evaluate our progress on cultural sensitivity as valuable input.

Link to CLAS standards: National CLAS Standards