The Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards are guidelines established by the federal Health and Human Services Department, Office of Minority Health. These standards are mandated for all health care organizations receiving federal funds.

What is cultural competency? Cultural competency is a set of academic and personal skills that increase understanding and appreciation of cultural differences between groups.

Communication has a profound impact on every aspect of patient/client service. The New Mexico Department of Health through the Office of Policy and Multicultural Health invites you to take a FREE computer-based training that promises to be interactive, fun, enlightening and educational. The CLAS training is for health care professionals, public health providers, community-based providers and all direct medical and social service providers. Providers may earn up to 9 FREE CME or CNE credits for taking the three-hour, interactive training, offered FREE of charge! You can take the self-paced course on DVD, PDF or online.

Healthcare providers can learn why culturally competent health care is important and which CLAS Standards are mandated for health care provided to limited English proficient patients. In addition, employees and managers can learn new strategies for implementing the CLAS Standards in their clinic or service unit. Employees can take the training from their own PC at their own pace.