LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  POLICY 200.02 Interpreter Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
 
  PROCEDURES
  1. Deaf and hard of hearing access to Department of Mental Health (DMH) directly operated (DO) and contractor sites:
    1. Clients from the deaf and hard of hearing community can access DMH services information through California Relay Services (CRS) by dialing 711 to reach the Help Line, Quality, Outcomes and Training Division, 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
  2. DO and contracted providers can make calls to, and take calls from, any client who is deaf and hard of hearing in Los Angeles County with assistance from the free CRS by dialing 711.
  3. Scheduling Sign Language Interpreter Services:
    1. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
      1. DO and contracted provider sites shall contact Anti Racism Diversity and Inclusion (ARDI) Division for business hour scheduling.
      2. Contact information – ARDIAccessibility@dmh.lacounty.gov
    2. After hours are times not included in normal business hours, including weekends, emergencies, and any holidays.
      1. DO and contracted provider sites shall contact the Help Line.
      2. Help Line: (800) 854-7771
    3. Emergency Sign Language Interpreter Services:
      1. Emergency sign language interpreter service requests shall be dispatched within two (2) hours of the request (travel time will vary depending on distance and time of day).
      2. Non-Emergency Sign Language Interpreter Services: DMH requires four (4) business days prior to date of service to schedule non-emergency sign language appointments. Live telephone contact is available 24 hours per day, seven (7) days per week to schedule sign language interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing community seeking mental health services at all DO and contracted provider sites.
  4. Cancellation of Sign Language Interpreter Service Requests
    1. DO and contracted provider sites are required to provide notice of cancellation to the ARDI Division for business hours and Help Line for after hours per the following schedule:
      1. For assignments lasting two (2) hours or less, cancel at least 24 hours in advance.
      2. For assignments lasting more than two (2) hours, cancel at least 48 hours in advance.
    2. DO and contracted sites are responsible to notify the ARDI Division for services scheduled during business hours and for after hour services of any cancellations whether originated by clients or programs. Failure to do so will result in charges accrued for the American Sign Language (ASL) services. 
  5. DO and contracted providers are required to complete and submit the ASL Services Satisfaction Form upon completion of services to ARDI Division at ARDIAccessiblity@dmh.lacounty.gov.
  6. For all Patients’ Rights related matters, the TDD telephone number, (800) 952-8349, shall be posted on the Mental Health Plan Posters in all threshold languages at each DO and contracted provider site.