Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Kimberlee Kimura, Director, Health Administration
Subject: Agreement with Excel Interpreting, LLC for Language Interpretation Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Excel Interpreting, LLC for language interpretation services for the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $650,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2010, County Health has contracted with various agencies to provide in-person interpretation services to various Health divisions, bridging the language gap between County staff and the County's Limited English Proficient residents to support the provision of high quality and timely care to its most vulnerable clients. By bridging the language gap, County Health can better connect with and serve its culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. The County's success in this arena is evidenced by the fact that it was recognized as a Certified Welcoming place by Welcoming America in January 2024, becoming the first county in California and one of only 21 cities and counties in the United States to achieve the distinction for its commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging.
Staff utilize these services throughout the County in various settings, such as one-on-one clinic appointments, group counseling sessions, home visits, training sessions, and community meetings.
In January 2023, San Mateo County Health released a Request for Proposals for qualified contractors to provide interpretation and translation services for all divisions of County Health. Excel Interpreting, LLC (Excel) was elevated to provide in-person interpretation services based on its over 10 years of experience in the industry, online capacity to reserve and track interpretation requests, strong vetting process for its interpreters,...
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