Culturally Competent Care in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a critical role in providing access to healthcare for underserved populations. To ensure that care is delivered in a manner that respects the diverse needs of these communities, FQHCs must adhere to specific requirements and guidelines related to culturally competent care.

HRSA Requirements

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) sets forth several requirements that FQHCs must meet to demonstrate cultural competence:

• Needs Assessment: FQHCs must conduct a needs assessment of their patient population at least every three years. This assessment should consider factors such as access to care, prevalent health conditions, health disparities, and other unique needs that may impact health status and access to primary care (HRSA Compliance Manual, Needs Assessment).

• Interpretation Services: FQHCs must develop a plan for providing interpretation and translation services that meet the needs of patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). This may involve using bilingual providers, on-site interpreters, or remote interpreting services. Patients must be informed about after-hours coverage in a language and format they can understand (HRSA Compliance Manual, Required & Additional Health Services).

• Training: Staff should receive training on cultural sensitivities and how to bridge linguistic and cultural differences (HRSA Compliance Manual, Required & Additional Health Services).

• Culturally Appropriate Resources: FQHCs must provide resources that enable staff to deliver culturally sensitive care. This may include training or other supports (HRSA Compliance Manual, Required & Additional Health Services).

• Clinical Staffing Make-Up: The clinical staff should reflect the size, demographics, and needs of the patient population to ensure reasonable access to services (HRSA Compliance Manual, Clinical Staffing).

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)

Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) is a key strategy for reducing health disparities and achieving health equity. CLAS is about respect and responsiveness: respecting the whole individual and responding to their health needs and preferences.

• What are CLAS Standards? CLAS standards provide a framework for delivering care that is respectful of and responsive to diverse patients' health beliefs, practices, and communication needs. By tailoring services to individuals' cultural and language preferences, health professionals can help achieve positive health outcomes for diverse populations.

• Complete the CLAS Checklist: FQHCs should complete the CLAS implementation checklist to assess their current practices and identify areas for improvement (Link to Checklist).

• Draft a “CLAS Care Plan”: A CLAS care plan should address key domains such as governance, communication, and continuous improvement. The plan should outline strategies for promoting CLAS and health equity, providing language assistance, engaging with diverse communities, and monitoring the impact of CLAS efforts.

Additional Resources

There are several resources available to support FQHCs in providing culturally competent care:

• HRSA Office of Health Equity

• Think Cultural Health

• HHS Office of Civil Rights Guidance on Federal Financial Assistance

• CLAS Implementation Checklist

• HRSA Site Visit Protocol

By adhering to HRSA requirements and implementing CLAS standards, FQHCs can help ensure that all patients receive care that respects their unique needs and promotes health equity.

If you would like help developing a “CLAS Care Plan” for your health center, contact our health center experts at RegLantern today!